The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-31
THE MODERN EDITOR.

THE MODERN lIDlIOh.
Captain page Mccariy, who died in
Richmond the other day. was one OF the
last survivors of oid-time Journalism IN
Virginia He was not an ola man az
his death, but his youth was especially
brilliant and he entered conSpionousiy
into the editorial arena at an carrier
age than most of his colleagues did OF
his ability as a writer few adult Eir-
sinians are unaware. His style was
graceful always, never tiresome, and
fun of fire and vigor. Its possessor IL
Illuminated his discourse with wealth of
historical and literary allusion. Per-
sonally Captain McCarty was thor
ough gentleman. noticeably quiet and
unobtrusve In manner. Like most men
of that type. he had the heart of a lion.
His courage was dauntless as his bear
sing was gentle AS The Richmond Times
says. Captain McCarty outlived his day;
but he will be remembered in Virginia
as long as that day is remembered-and
The difference between Journalism past
stnd present is this: The old-time journal
was employed by the editor as means
of exploiting his own personal views. as
means of keeping his personality before
the public. The modern editor employs
his talents to exploit his newspaper, keep
ing himself in the background, and as
much as possible from the public gaze
But ,the personality of the editor is no
less a fact and is no less stamped upon
every department Of the newspaper in
this day and generation. The model
newspaper is by no means an impersonal
affair. In order to have weight and in
fuence 1t must have character, and an
order to have character there must be
man of character at its head to determine
ats editorial policy and the character and
a uality of its news. The editor of this
himself before the public day by day
Generally speaking. he does not even
print his name at the head of the edi-
toriar column. He desires that his news
paper shah be regarded as public
institution and not as personal organ.
he strives to maintain such an orsaniza-
ton and to inspire that organization in
such a way as that in his absence, or
even in the event of his death, the paper
will so ION without interruption OF Tou-
tine without change of policy. There
has been "a radical change in the method
of conducting newspapers within the past
TWENTY-FIVE. years. The editor is not SO
conspicuous as he used to be, but he is
more than ever identified with his paper,
and his personality is stamped upon every
line This may not be known to the
general public but it is known in the
g tn
newspaper: there is a source of inSplra-
ton, and it is sure.
modern writer on this subject says
that the reputa ton Of a newspaper de-
pends upon those who direct ana serve
it, and the quality of the workers depend
unon the breadth, ability and conscience
of the direction. Some enterprises, he
adds, may reach "a point where they can
carry themselves, rbut newspaper never.
Charles Nordhoff, who for many years
was head of the New York Herald $
washington Bureau. says that the Herald
is controlled and managed by James Cor
don Bennett with the vigor and complete
knowledge of detail with which an able
and active general controls his army. IL
is in fact, he goes on, conducted on
military basis, so farsas this, that disobedi-
ence to the orders of the chief is the
one objectionable offence, and like good
general. he keeps ali the strings in his
own hands: is fully Informed of all the
details of his business. and knows his
men. their capabilities and performance.
He makes the Interesting statement also
that Mr. Bennett never writes an edi-
torial. but that he has the very re-
markab,e gift of telling the gist of what
he wants said to the one whom he selects
to write. and he is the inspiration OF
every article that is written.
This must be the, case with every sue
cessful journal of character. There
must be a brave. God fearing man at the
head of every brave, God fearing news
paper. The occupation of the editor is
not gone