The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14

lost much Of the force they once had; that
people now do more of their own think
ing than ever before, and consequently
the editors opinions receive less consider
alton.
Other eminent newspaper men insist
that editorials are as important now as
they ever were and are or should be-
the main strength of a newspaper. To the
latter class belongs Mr.. McKelway, the
able aud accomplished editor Of the Brook
Ign Eagle, man who stands in the very
front rank Of American journalism. In
recent address to New York club Mr..
McKelwsy said;
The editorial page. all contradiction to
the contrary Notwithstanding, is the most
Important page of the newspaper. The
news pages. BY their fairness. their clear
ness their intelligence and their enter
prise, largely make evident the ability and
the resources OF the sheet. But the ed-
torial page reflects not only the ability but
the Character OF the journal; it's virtue as
well as its vigor; its conscience as well as
It's capacity Its courage as we'll as it's
conscience. The editorial page indicates
the quality of the constituency of a news
paper. know that il could not get along
/ without the news pages, but + also know
that the newspaper would get along in
Emping and hating fashion without the
3
| poor editorial pages, or with none, but
with bright news pages; they may have
circulation, but they do not have power.
lhey may be able to say things and to
/ spread things but they can not do things
and can not get things done And the
exact measure of their impotency is sug-
sested by the blare of their claims of
efficiency and Of accomplishment"
,ta ~ may appear to some persons that Mr..
nan frV,t g.. l.
duly, but II all the editorials which an
pear in our newspapers were as strong in
tnought and as admirable in style as those
which Mr.. McKelway writes, It would be
easy 10 sustain the position he takes in
the words we have quoted.
IN thls matter much--we may say near
y OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES upon the quality
Oh Inc editorials just as the value OF the
news pages is regulated by the complete
US VI thelr service and the manner in
Whlch they give the news
ohe OF the most famous Of American
editors, man who was unsurnasse ne a
writer among the editors OF his time. who
possessea vast store OF knowledge and a
power Oh expression rarely equaIled. had
Sely nt'le influence through his editorials
oscgise they were almost invariably col
g y, by ms personal prejudices and spites.
ne pubic was convinced that he was
~ aHu, enough his editorial page was
ny nust brilliant in the country, 1t was
read mainly by curiosity ana affected tSs
Splnlons OF very few Of those who went
,h ssuush " every day. On the other hand
suele nave been and are editors who have
mo msn speSal gift Of writing, who are not
a.eu OF extraordinary mental endowment
aSquHements, whose words carry
ms,sn'. change and fix the convictions Of
tors eauers' This is because such edi
Ths s nave the confidence Of the public.
omen ., are believed to be honest, fair and
~ Is impossible 10 make anv vanera,
eSl,or,ess OF me comparative value Of the
newsns r1 ana the news departments OF a
tI ~, hIeWspapers are valuable and use /.
| OF one "a account OF the excellence
lenca ana Others because Of the excel
1Snee q the other Of these department ,
standsrS newspapers maintain a high
ana give good service In both