New-York tribune., 1901-02-15
INFLUENCE OF THE PRESS.
MANY AMERICANS WRITE TO CoRRE-
SPONDENTS' CLUB As TO HOW 1T
CAN BE INCREASED.

Nfsr, ,,,.rs,,s have contributed TO a symposium
started by the Correspondents Club OF Ne"-horh,
composed OF New-York correspondents OF our Oh
town papers The question. How can the ihiuehce
of the press DE increasedP' was sent 10 huhoieo
Americans. and replies were received from hear-y
au Of them. These replies were read al the ahhual
dinner Of the club held night in this city TX
cerpts from the replies follow;
John Hav. Secretary OF State-I do not consider
Invself conpetent 10 give advice on this subject
Horace White BY honest effort 10 deserve H.
Joseph Jefterson-The best means Of increasing
the Influence of journalism, or indeed any poIif ,if
and integrity. II would be grand departure u
the best newspapers were 70 ln5Ge uia5 end
would search out and expose every trduauIe1lss !
journal Under such conditions conhoehoe "9uIl 9
he aroused iu The public mind tnat perhaps Hoes
not now exist.
suaan b. Authouy-By advocating the ballot 10
an women as well as 10 an men.
There is a widely recognized demand that the
fbirss tbst an. y GOOD report and eXalt people
than il does II can be less cynical ana mere SIN
N can be more c0usiderate toward the unfortunate
and more generous in the treatment OF those with
ever should he told with am the yivacity Of fiction
or the press viii suffer. stupid NeracltY Is the
rock upon which more than one truly good news
paper has ioundored Neracity with vivacity is
my prescription for what ] think your club is seek
ing after
". J. Bryan--A newspaper viii exert greater in
huence other things being equal. 4 II Is known
victions OF some person person Of flesh and
blood not corporation. The inhuenoe OF a news
Iocv ana rfat mar Trs5D rss no Interest adverse
The interests of the readers The influence Of the
press win be increased by greater unity in the sup
any bad practice.
Jeannette 7. Glider should say by less sensa-
tionalism ana more truth.
is not me question rather how that infuenoe can
he 90 c-iectel iha5 II shaA Work more toNarG
Whteaw Rad-By the most scru2ulous effort in
giving the news 20 tell the exact truth. without
cussion 1astd upon lalr minded study, ana CON
Quoted with the courtesy that commands re-
General Russell A. Alger-Let the press be over
jealous IN ascertainins whether its publications
are founded upon facts or not
Thomas A. Edson-By publishing a fact now
and then.
Nikola Tesla-The influence Of the press might
he greatly increased by adopting better system
advances or generally speaking, ol such news as
Dr. Lyman Abbott-The proprietor must put IN
nuenCe above commercial success To secure this
influence the editor must have both definite and
he wishes 10 exert influence He must be fair TO
must cohyince his readers that he IS seeking the
truth the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
must deal with topics which are both of real in
terest and Of real Importance 10 the public
Cardinal Gibbons-The influence Of the press
would be increased by strict adherence 10 facts
in recording events and by scrupulous accuracy
IN reporting the expressions of public men.
Andrew Carnegie-Thc paper which obtains q
reputation for publishing authentic news, and
only that which is fiji print and which edi-
torially writes Jemperately, although always de-
cidedly, VIII steadily Increase its influence.
WI Ting-fang, Chimes Minister will simply
say that the influence Of the press can be in
creased by strict adherence 10 facts.
Bishop Henry c. Potter-By the education and
elevation OF IS res6e.1. A decent. intelligent.
thoughtful constituency viii compel a decent press.
Governor B. b. Odeu jr.-Accuracy and relia-
bihty are the prime requisites.
Lieutenant-General Nelson 4. Mles-In response
70 your invitation let say in brief that the
papers OF the hOJr furnish the materials which
the historian crysalZes into story Of the world 5
events. The vital element OF this story is truth. II
should be held vital religion itself. The re-
sponslohty for the increase OF the influence Of the
press rests with you correspondents. who should
sacrifice sensation 10 accuracy, and who should, IN
painting your word pictures, have a greater care
for true proportion and perspective than for the
plcturssque or striking details