Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-31

q paper, would he deliberately plan to
put into the homes of all the church
people and Christians Of Raymond such
u collection of reading matter on the
one day of the week which ought to he
given up to something better and holt
er? He was of course familiar with the
regular argument for the Sunda-- paper
that the public needed something of
the sort, and the working1aan especial
ly, who would not go to church any
way, ought to have something enter
tanning and instructive on Sunday, his
only day of rest, But suppose the Sun
day morning paper did not pay. Sup
pose there was no money in it. How
eager would the editor or the proprietor
be then to supply this crying need Of
the workingman2 Edward Norman
communed honestly with himself over
the subject Taking everything into
account, would Jesus probably edit a
Sunday morning paper, no matter
whether it paid? That was not the
question. As a matter of fact, The Sun
day News paid go well that it would be
direct loss Of thousands of dollars to
discontinue it. Besides, the regular
subscribers had paid for seven day
paper. Had he any right now to give
them anything less than they had sup
posed they had paid for3
He was honestly perplexed by the
question. So much was involved in the
,discontinuance of the Sunday edition
that for the first time he almost de-
clined to be guided by the standard of
Jesus probable action. He was sole
proprietor of the, paper. 1t was his 10
shape as he chose. He had no board Of
directors to consult as to policy. But as
he sat there surrounded by the usual
quantity of material for the Sunday
edition he reached some definite con-
clusions and among 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 the office, including the few re-
porters who We're i'll the building and
the foreman, with what men We're in
the composing room 1T was carly in the
morning, and they We're not all in), to
come into the mailing room. This was
a large> room, and the men came in,
wondering, and perched around on the
tables and counters. 1t was very un.
usual proceeding, but they all agreed
that the paper was being run on new
principles anyhow, and they all watched
Mr.. Norman curiously as he spoke.
81 called you in here to let you know
my plans for the future of The News.
propose certain changes which believe
are necessary. understand that some
things have already done are regarded
by the men as very strange. wish to
state my motive in doing what 1 have
done. >" Here he told the men what he
had already told Clark, and they stared,
as he had done. and looked as painfully
conscious.
Now, in acting on this standard Of
conduct 1 have. reached a conclusion
which will nc, doubt cause some sur
prise. 1 have decided that the Sunday
morning edition of The News shall be
discontinued after next Sundays issue.
shall state in that issue my reasons
for disseminating. In order to make NJ
to the subscribers the amount of read.
ling matter they may suppose them.
| selves entitled to, we can issue double
number on Saturday, as is done by very
many evening papers that make 10 at
tempt at u Sunday edition. I am con
WINGED that, from Il Christian point Of
view, more harm than good has beer
done by our Sunday morning paper.
do not believe that Jesus would be re
sponsible for it if he We're in my place
| today. 1t will occasion some trouble tc
arrange the details caused by thi.
change with the advertisers and sub
scribers. That is for me to look after
4 The change itself is one tbs will TAKE
place. So far as ] can see, the loss vii
fall on myself. Neither the reporters
nor the pressmen need make any par
/ ticular charges in their plans.
| Edward Norman looked around tn,
room, and no ono spoke He was strucl
! for the first time in, his life with til,
fact that in all the years of his news
paper life he had never had the force O
the paper together in this way. Would
Jesus do that? That is, would he prob
ably run q newspaper on some lovins
family plan where editors. reporters
pressmen and all met to discuss and de
wise and plan for the making of a pape
that should have in view"
He caught himself drawing almos
away from the facts Of Typographical
unions and Office rules and reporters
enterprise and all the cold businesslik
methods that make q great daily sue
cessful. But still the vague pictur
that came up in the mailing room
would not fade away, even when h
had gone into his Office and the. mel
had gone back TO their places with won
der in their looks and questions of al
sorts on their tongues as they TALKED
over the editor remarkable actions.
Clark came in and had long seriou
talk with the chief. He was thorough,
reused, and his protest almost reache,
the point of resigning his place. Nor
man guarded himself carefully. Ever,
minute of the interview was painful t,
| him, but he felt more than ever the ne
cessity of doing the Christlike thing
| Clark was very valuable man. L