The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-01-31
Mr.. SheldOn's Newspaper Scheme.

Certain of the scribes are having
their little gibe over the Rev. G. M.
Sheldon's proposed experiment in pub
fishing newspaper. Much of the cur
rent comment is distinguished chiefly
y shallowness and flippancy, and
much Ct it by an utter misapprehen-
sion of the character, ability and mo-
tive of this man who has ideas of his
own in the matter of publishing and
editing daily newspaper, having ref
ence, on the one hand, to such selec-
ton and publication of news as will
conduce to the proper and reasonable
information of the public as to what is
going on in the world at large and in
the immediate locality of the place of
publication, and, on the other, to the
safeguarding of public morality by the
exclusion of improper details OF proper
news, or to the suppression entirely of
news of acts and crimes which in any
well-regulated family the parents would
not discuss in the presence of children.
Mr.. Sheldon's ideas on this subject ex-
tend also to every other department of
newspaper publication and business adj
ministration, the tombstone to be ap-
piled being invariably Christian re-
gard for truth, righteousness and pure
morality.
The published reports respecting Mr..
Sheldon's project are to the effect that
at the Detroit convention of the Chris
tian Endeavor Society Mr.. Sheldon
asked what "philanthropic gentleman
in this age of munifcent endowments
to educational institutions would give
100000 for the creation of a great
Christian daily?" This inquiry has not
been answered as to the money re-
quired for the enterprise, but the pub
fishers of the Topeka Capital, a news
paper printed in the city of Mr. Sheldon's
residence, have placed that paper at his
disposal for one week, to enable him to
make practical demonstration of his
idea, and Mr.. Sheldon has accepted the
prefer. 1t is understood that able
writers are to assist Mr.. Sheldon and
that statesmen, prominent divines and
editors of the dailies of New York, Chi
cago and st. Louis will help him by
suggestions.
The general tone of newspaper COM
ment upon Mr.. Sheldon's scheme be-
trays, as we have said, an utter misap-
prehension of the character of the
man. Ii there were a Mr.. Sheldon
pastor over every one thousand people
in this land, there would be no call for
this experiment with the publication of
Christian daily. The want would be
universally supplied. Mr.. Sheldon is
man of high intelligence. He has
brains enough to stock his editorial
critics and set them up in better bust
ness than they are engaged in, and
have an ample supply left for conduct
ing his proposed newspaper. There is
nothing sensational about Mr.. Sheldon
the furthest possible from this. He
is original in thought and idea, but it is
the originality of well-ordered genius,
not of eccentricity. He is a man of
wisdom, Of infinite tact and persuasive
ness, a man among men, knowing well
his fellow men, propitiating their good
will and leading them by influences to
which they yield a willing and ready
submission.
He is practical man as well as a
man of wonderful mental powers and
unusual versatility of talents. He has
strength of body as we'll as mind
There is no suggestion of cant in the
mans constitution. There is sunshine
and pure bracing air all about him