People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1899-10-19

go to press without aw 'dof the prize,
fight in itI''
Yes; that's Just what | mean"
But it's unheard Of All the other
papers will print it What will our
subscribers sayt Why, it's simply
Clark paused. unable to find words to
say what he thought
Edward Norman looked at Clark
thoughtfully The managing editor
was a member Of church Of different
denomination from that of Norman's
The two men had never talked together
on religious matters, although they had
been associated on the paper for several
years
Come in here minute, Clark, and
shut the door, said Norman.
Clark came in, and the two men faced
each other alone Norman did not speak
for minute. Then he said abruptly:
"Clark. if Christ were editing daily
paper, do you honestly think he would
print three columns and half of a
prizefght in it,
Clark gasped in establishment. Final
ly he replied. mo; l don't suppose he
would"
"Well, that's my only reason for
shutting this account out Of The News
l have decided not to do thing in con-
nection with the paper for whole year
that honestly believe Jesus would not
do"
Clark could not have looked more
amazed if the chief had suddenly gone
crazy. In fact, he did think something
was wrong, though Mr.. Norman was
one of the last men in the world, in his
Judgment, to lose his mind.
"What effect will that have on the
paper2" he finally managed to ask in a
faint voice.
"What do you Think" asked Edward
Norman, with keen glance
81 think it will simply ruin the pa
per, " replied Clark promptly. He was
gathering up his bewildered senses and
began to demonstrate. why, it isn't
feasible to run a paper nowadays on
any such basis. It's too ideal The
world isn't ready for it You can t
make it pay. Just as sure as you live,
if You shut out this prizefght report,
you will lose hundreds of subscribers
1t doesn't take prophet to say that.
The very best people in town are eager
to read it. They know it has taken
place, and when they get the paper
this evening they will expect half a
page at least. Surely you can't afford
to disregard the wishes of the public to
such an extent. 1t will be a great mis-
take if you do, in my opinion
Edward Norman sat silent minute
Then he spoke gently, but firmly.
"Clark, what, in your honest opinion,
is the right standard for determining
conduct Is the only right standard for
every one the probable action of Jesus!
Would you say that the highest, best
law for man to live by was contained
in asking the question. What would
Jesus dor and then doing ii regardless
of resultsH In other words, do you think
men everywhere ought to follow Jesus
example as close as they can in their
daily livesH"
Clark turned red and moved uneasily
in his chair before he answered the edi-
tors question.
"Why, yes. l suppose, if You put it
on the ground of what they ought to
do, there is no other standard of con-
duct. But the questions are: What is
feasibles Is it possible to make it payi
To succeed in the newspaper business
we have got to conform to the customs
and the recognized methods of society.
We can't do as we would do in an ideal
world. "
"Do you mean that we can't run the
paper strictly on Christian principles
and make it succeedY'
Eyes; that's just what mean. It
can't be done. Well go bankrupt in 80
days"
Edward Norman did not reply at
once He was very thoughtful
1--WE shall have occasion to talk this
over again. Clark. Meanwhile | think
we ought to understand each other
frankly. have pledged myself for
year to do everything connected with
the paper after answering the question,
What would Jesus do ? as honestly as
possible shall continue to do this il
the belief that not only can we succeed. |
but that we can succeed better than we
ever did"
Clark rose. "Then the report does
not 90 in?"
ut does not. There is plenty of good |
material to take its place. and you
know what it is. :"
Clark hesitated.
care you going to say anything
aboat the absence of the report?"
"No; let the paper go to press as if
there had been osuch thing as a prize
fight yesterday.
To be Continue.
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