The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-03-13
The Sheldon Idea Of a Christian
Daily Newspaper.
PAGE LEAD A PRAYER
Stock Quotations and 0uack Medicine
Advertisements RsIigiOusIy Ex-
cIuded. Alleged Test Case.

TOPEKA, Kans.. March 1.-THE
main purpose OF the paper will be to
influence its readers to seek first the
kingdom OF God
Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon, who today
assumed editorial and business control
Of the Daily Capital. which he will re-
tain in one week, viii make this an
nouneement in his editorial leader out
lining his policy tomorrow morning.
The Capital. during this time. will Be
"a Newspaper" the word news being
defined by Sheldon as anything in the
way Of current events that the public
ought TO know for its boral and spir-
itual development. The paper will be
absolutely non-partisan and partisan
and political news win be given scant
natice.
All editorials and important local
matter will be signed by the writer's.
There will b. no Sunday paper. Dut In
stead. Saturday evening paper. suit
able for Sunday reading.
May God bless the use OF this pa
per to the glory Of his kingdom on
EARTH" says the Rev. Sheldon, In con-
Guiding his leading editorial.
The first item on the first page to-
morrow will be prayer, written by
Bishop John VI. Vincent. Of the Meth
odist Episcopal church.
Editor Sheldon went to the Office at
$50 o'clock this morning and will be
on duty until the paper goes to press
az o'clock tomorrow morning.
At IL o'clock he met the local force
of the paper and gave out assignments
for the day. A page will be devoted
to local news and the leading features
for tomorrow win be reports OF tenn
perance, revival and anti-cigarette
meeting. sheldon instructed the police
reporter. that in case OF murder or
other crime. to write merely a bare
statement OF facts. II he had space to
spare. instead of following it up with
the usual details. he would go into dis
cussion of the causes leading up to
the crime.
During conference. the sporting edi-
tor remarked that there would be
bowling contest at the Y M. c. A. room
tonight.
Il think said Mr.. Sheldon. that
that is good, clean sport. You may
Iprint it,"
The dramatic editor asked fer in
structions about the theaters.
1--WE shall not want anything NJ that
kind" said Mr.. Sheldon.
One page has been reserved for tele-
graphic news. which ordinarily occu-
pies about three times that amount OF
lspate.
Market reports will be cut down from
four columns to one. All quotations In
stocks and bonds. grain options and
other matter involving transactions in
futures have been consigned to the
waste basket. and only the actual cash
prices of grain, produce. etc, viii be
quoted.
The notable feature of the paper will
be the method of handling ADVERTISE
ments. They will be banished from
news and editorial pages and will be
punched in pieces reserved for them. All
patent medicine ads are excluded. fa-
millar corset advertisements Of maga-
zines. accompanied by cuts nave sought
in vain for space. No retail ads from
Kansas City or other out Of town
tradesmen will be accepted, Sheldon
holding that this would be injustice to
home merchants The $40 suit Of
clothes for s14.75 style of advertisement
is also barred.
There shall be no smoking in the edl-
torial rooms. That is the only rule re-
garding office habits have given out.
said Rev. Sheldon.