The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-15
MR., sHELDoN's EXPERIMENT.

Rev Mr. Sheldon's experiment OF con-
Quoting for one week a Christian daily
newspaper would seem to indicate that
there are no dailies published on the
principles laid down by Christ. While it
is true that we have no distinctive Chris
tan daily, it is true that very many
dailies are conducted upon the ethics of
the Bible, though not professedly Chris
1ian newspapers. Many look upon Mr..
SheldOns idea with levity. He looks
upon it as a serious piece of work, and,
as the world generally takes a man at
his own estimate, before the week is out
Mr.. Sheldon's plan will be seriously re-
garded. While its temporary nature will
not prove whether such paper would be
supported, it will give an ideal of daily
paper from the standpoint of sincere
and devout man who, in all his life
work is guided by answering this ques-
ton, What would Jesus do?' If his ex-
ample should induce men with capital
in a large city to establish such daily
paper. conducted with the spirit that
have no doubt that it would be tinan-
cial success in course of time In the
life of the late Elliot F. Shepard, the
Mail and Express affected to be conducted
on religious lines, but was so stupidity
partisan and SIMULTANEOUSLY unfair as to
disgust honest men who believe in re-
ligion but hate cant. If Mr.. Shepard's
paper had breathed the same spirit that
is seen in Mr.. Sheldon's paper, New
York might today have great Christian
daily Here are the rules laid down by
the editor for the news policy:
No theatrical news whatever.
No pugilism or wrestling-only the
cleaner kind of sporting news.
In crime no details of the deed ITSELF
but application of the moral causes
which led to it and the moral lessons
which it conveys.
Politics from a strictly non partisan
standpoint, locally and editorially.
All interviews to be submitted in man.
uscript or proof to the person interviewed
before publication. In case person re-
fuses to be interviewed, he or she must
not be pestered by the reporter, but left
alone.
No scandals and nothing which in the
remotest degree is of q scandalous char
acter.
No slang, not even that which is consd-
cred permissible by the average news
paper.
There is demand for such newspaper,
and there is need for all papers to eX-
anime the creeds that govern them to
see if Mr.. Sheldon has not adopted some
worthy of universal emulation.
Our idea of a newspaper is that it shall
be "a map of busy life looking glass
which reflects what passes before it, and
our creed, is to print all the news, Civ
ing prominence TO the subject that is
uppermost in the current worlds history
If it is a great battle-give the fullest
details; a large religious gathering-give
the best report; prize fight, give the
rounds and result without honoring the
sluggers; a political gathering, give all
the side lights and notable speeches; a
scandal-give the story just as it is.
without setting down aught in malice;
a theatrical performance-give the truth
al tho pnn6 and pnndnmn-
ing the bad; crime-giye the details
plainly so that the reader can have d
mental photograph; in a word to make
the news a full photograph of passing
events, not paradng the bad and ne
glecting the good, but giving place to
actual events that transpire without cen
sorship and avoiding any sensationalism
that is calculated to gid vice. That is
our conception OF news. There are other
matters that do not come distinctly under
the head of news where the editor is
the teacher We refer to the selections
and contributions which instruct and in
terest They ought to touch every phase
of human life and to be selected with
view to elevate as we'll as to please and
instruct. But it is in the editorial col
umns that the editor shows his real char
acter, because there he discusses live
TOPICS and seeks to direct the thought and
action of his readers. He is none the less
the Christian because he discusses poll
ties and is an earnest partisan, if his po-
litical teachings make for the better
ment of his fellow men, and he is guided
by a sense of truth and justice.
John Wesley said: THE world is my
parish" The true editor says: Il am
a man and whatever concerns man inter
eSts me-
4 FRIGHTFUL BLUNDER