The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-10-06

be run ON any such basis. -s
why nots' asked Edward Norman
quietly,
"Why not2 Because they will lose
moro money than they make; that's
all =" Clark spoke out with an irritation
that he really felt I'VE shall certainly
bankrupt tho paper with this sort of
business policy"
''Do you think so?'' Norman asked
the question not rs if ho expected an
answer. but simply as If lie were talk
ing with himself After pause he
said
You may direct Marks to do IS
said l believe it is what Jesus would
do. end, as l told you, Clark, that is
what have promised to try to do for n
year. regardless OF what the results
may be to me- cannot believe that by
any Kind Of reasoning we cOuld reach
conclusion justifying Jesus in the adj
YccS:Semcnt in this age of whisky and
tobacco in n newspaper There are some
other advertisements of Il douDtfCl
character ! shall study into Mean.
while feel conviction in regard TO
these that cannot be silenccd.
Clark went back to his desk feeling
~ if he had been in the presence Of q
very peculiar person.
He could not grasp tho meaning of it
all He felt cnraged and alarmed. He
was sure any such policy would ruin
the paper as soCn rs it became generally
known that the editor was trying to Go
everything by such en- absurd moral
standard. What would become of busi-
pess. if this standard were adopted2 It
would upset every custom and intro.
ducc endless confusion. 1t was simply
foolishness. it was downright idiocy.
SO Clark said to himself, and when
Marks was informed Of the action lie
seconded the managing editor with
some very forcible CALCULATIONS. What
was the matter with the chief? Was
ne insane? Was he going to bankrupt
the whole husinoss2
But Edward Norman had not faced
his most serious problem.
When he came down to the Office Fri
day morning, he was confronted with
the usual programme for the Sunday
morning edition. The News was one of
the few evening papers TO issue Sun
day edition, and it had always been re-
markably successful financially. There
was an average of one page of literary
and religious items to 80 or 40 pages
of sport, theater gossip fashion. So
ciety and political material This made
very interesting magazine of all sorts
of reading matter and had always been
welcomed by all the subscribers, church
members and all. as a Sunday necessity
Edward Norman now faced this fact
and put to himself the question. What
would Jesus DOR If he were editor of
q paper, would he deliberately plan to
put into the homes of all the church
people and Christians of Raymond such
collection of reading matter on the
ane day of the week which ought to be
given up to something better and holi-
err He was OF course familiar with the
regular argument for the Sunday paper
that the public needed something of
tho sort, and the workingman especial
ly. who would not go to church any
way, ought to have something enter.
tanning and instructive on Sunday his
Dnly day Of rest. But suppose the SUN
day morning paper did not pay. Sup
bose there was no money in it. How
eager would the editor or the proprietor
DO then TO supply this crying need Of
the workinSmanf Edward Norman
communcd honestly with himself over
the subject. Taking everything into
account. would Jesus probably edit
Sunday morning paper, 10 matter
whether it paid? That was not the
question. AS q matter OF fact, The Sun
day News paid so well that it would be
@ direct loss of thousands Of dollars to
discontinue IL. Besides, the regular
Subscribers had paid for O eaYen day
paper Fad ho any right now to give
them anything less than they had sup
posed they had paid for?
He was honestly perp!cScd by the
question. So much was involved in the
aisconti1Uance Of the Sunday edition
that for the first time he almost de-
ilined to be guided by the standard of
Jcsus' probable action. He was sole
proprietor OF tho paper. It was his to
shape rs he chose. He had TO board of
directors to consult as to policy But as
he sat there surrounded by the usual
Quantity of material for the Sunday
edition ue reached some definite con-
clrsion5, end aInoug them was the de-
termination to call in the force of the
paper and frankly state his motive and
purpose.
He sent word for Clark and the other
men in tho Office, including the few re-
porters who were n the building anG
the ioreman, with what men were III
the composing room (ii yas early IN the
morning. and they were not all in9, to
come into the maiiing room. This was
. large room. and tho men came In,
wondering. and pcrchcd around on the
tables and counters. 1t was very ua.
usual proceeding, but they all agreed
that tho paper was being run on now