The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-08-16
AUGUST K0HN, JOURNALIST,
What His Old Teacher, himself a
Newspaper Man, Thinks of Him.

Kohn's ability, which, as former
newspaper man myself, | can heartily
appreciate. Back in the seventies it
was easy enough to sit on the editorial
tripod" and grind ou. opinions, for
opinions we're cheap, and during
Grants second Administration espec-
tally exceedingly abundant. But to get
the news: that was the rub. The local
column was the journalistic bugbear. We
old boys all remember with envy the 10
Gals of the Abbeville Medium about three
columns of which were woven weekly
by the Hcmphill aggregation. The ma
terial was often exceedingly tenuous.
but the web was most artistically fabrl-
Gated. In those days most reporters
suffered from too great modesty; Il do
not charge this sin to the collaborateurs
Of the Medium Nowadays most Of
them care too little. The question is
no longer what shall 60 into the paper,
but what shall be kept out of it. lie
that is able to make this discrimination
is worthy of all praise and becomes a
model for imitation.
So far as my experience goes, August
Kohn comes as near trcadlng the
straight path as anyone in contemporary
journalism; and it is but just tribute
that "X" has asked for an exposition
of his methods. No doubt Mr. Kohn's
paper was quite instructive, and it
ought to be published. But there are
some things that are at the bottom OF
successful news gathering, in its best
sense, which Mr.. Kohn's modesty will
not permit him to mention, because
they are among his personal qualities.
These qualities are decency, honesty
and truth, without which brilllancy, IN
dustry and perseverance are Of no ac-
count, and may even becomes instru-
ments of evil. The tendency Of report
ers today is to spring sensations" upon
the public without any thought Of truth
and decency. Street gossip, vague in
situations, social scandals a1G revolving
crimes are published ad nauseum, until
it becomes serious question with heads
offamilies what newspapers shall be suf-
fered to enter their doors. When it is
realized tia. much of thisrevolting stuff
is pure falsehood, ones indignation al
most exceeds bounds. Mr. kohn does
MT serve this kind Of literature. I'm
pleasant facts must be given sometimes,
but nakedness is yelled as much as pos
sible.
Again, in order to discuss public
matters intelligently one must know
what is going on. \ reckless news
gatherer that rushes into print with
everything he hears is Stunned by men
who have political or business secrets.
He must, therefore, resort to guessWork
or be silent, and as his guesses prove as
often wrong as right, be loses the con-
fdence and respect Of the mass Of read
ers, as well as of the leaders. No
man is in a more pitable state than a
Journalist who is contemned. But the
man Of truth and honor, who recognlz-
es that his engagement with neWspap-
er does not relieve him Of his ethical
responsibility as a man, can be intrust-
ed implicitly with public or private
secrets. Being en- rapport with any
movement, he knows when to speak and
what to say. On his promise to pub
lish nothing until the time for publlca-
ton is ripe he is taken into confidence.
1t is this confidence reposed in MIR.
kohn and men like him that enables
"N' and others to place confidence in
what they see in the Columbia column
of The News and Courier.
| Another important qualification pos
sessed by MIR. Kohn is hon hommie.
Not that he is not outspoken. He can
be exceedingly "candid" il his remarks
and criticisms. He does not tear off
shams with tender hand, but he is
pleasant in disposition, exceedingly
obliging and public spirited, and al
ways ready to do favor. These
qualities 60 long way towards warm
ing the cookies of the heart Of the per-
son from whom Mr.. Kohn desires to
extract information. Men have been
on friendly terms with him while at
daggers' points with his paper. Not
that he is not stanch supporter OF his
paper, but his personal qualities smooth
asperities.
Again, Mr.. Kohn has a natural
aptitude for collecting facts. In his
tory and economies in the South Caro-
lima College August Kohn was known
to his classmates as the statistical
fend." I have lad many bright men
in my classes, but never one who so
loved to collect statistics on any sub,
ject, whether water power in South
Carolina, railroad freight charges, ex-
ports and imports, gold dollars IN cir
culation. or what not. When he en-.
tered journalism he was specially well
equipped in these lines, and he has
done admirable work since.
might go further, but think what
has been said will suffice to bring cut
some Of The qualities essential to sue
ces3ful news gatherer. | do not mean
to say that there arc not other newspa-
per men possessing similar good quail
ties in marked degree Indeed l
think that as a body our South Carolina
men of the press are worthy Of all COR
mcndation, from our Printer-Governor
down, but Mr.. Kohn is one OF the best
types. He is young man yet, and L
trust has many years Of usefulness be-
fore him, but even now younger men
who are starting out in journalism will
DO we'll to keep him in Wow in shaping
their lives and work.
r. Means Davis.
Saluda, n. G., July 81, 1899.
Keep Up the Pace.
The Anderson IntelIigencer remarks: