Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-09-12
MODERN NEWSPAPERS.
Halle Erminie Rives' Idea of
What They Should Be.
HER EXPERIENCE AS AN EDITOR.

Noted southern Authoress Thinks
There should lie More True senTi-
ment In uspapcrs-Makes Public
Men Cover Her Assignments-Sug-
gests II Motto For Papers.
Halle Erminic Rives, the southern
luthoress. took charge of the Atlantic
city n. j. Sentinel the other day, the
proceeds of the issue being devoted TO
charitable purposes. In the midst Of
her days duties Miss Rivcs wrote for
the New York World the following
statement OF her ideas regarding the
modern newspaper and the principle
OH which 1t should be conducted:
Il take it the Atlantic City Sentinel
management, in turning the newspaper
over to me for a day, wishes me to
practically illustrate my idea Of what
a modern newspaper should he. | be-
lieve that news should he handled in
way that is striking without being
uuduly sensational. | think what we
call sensationalism should be rather
the seasoning than the substance, and
very little seasoning viii suffice to
season very large meal.
Il believe that the routine news of
the daily newspaper is generally Civ
en- too much space and that in every
days news there are one or more hap
pcuings which should be treated more
fully and from more than one point of
view. | believe more time should he
devoted instead of filling space with
clipped matter, to the expression of an
editors individual ideas, clearly, con-
cisely put ana in as good literary style
as time will permit.
"There is a false and true senti-
ment. \ good newspaper should have n
plenty of the latter. The former is Of
no use to anybody. If the pure senti-
mental side of stories were treated, the
daily newspaper hour in the morning
would do our living more good. In the
search for the true sentiment there
( would be no need of intruding on the
privacy of home or in accumulation of
details whose repetition only increases
n dishonest curiosity In the public.
"a don't mean that there is no place
for the dramatic or the imaginative
Each quality has its use. 1t is its mis-
use that hurts and which leads to the
expression heard so constantly, oh,
WELL you can't believe what's in the
papers" l believe that every newspa-
per on some of its pages should each
day have some pure and sweet thoughts
culled from standard literature or q
poem of simple meaning and sentiment
This is my first experience at edit
ing Il newspaper. | should not have &C,
cepted the invitation We're it not for the
very worthy charity to which the pro
ceeds of my one days issue are to be
applied. l have naturally surrounded
myself with the most brilliant stan
which | could find here, and | shall
make no mistake, | am sure, in giving
my reporters full swing in handling
their assignments.
Il am proceeding with my editorials
after full conference with all the mem
bers of my staff. An editor is just al
apt to take one sided view of ques
ton as any one else, and | think every
newspaper should be edited after til,
same cabinet plan on which the polio.
of the government is decided.
IF | We're to edit the Sentinel regu
larly, should take for its motto, 'Th
most Of the best; the least of tn
worst"
Miss Rives in her capacity of edito
in chief of a newspaper had all tn
troubles of a full fledged journalist a
well as plenty of fun. Prominent pro
fessional men in all walks of lif
called to see Miss Rives editing
paper. Now many of them wish the.
hadn't, for Miss Rives used them al
for reporters.
Councilman Billy Riddle, the polit
zeal boss of Atlantic City, was anon
the first callers, and Miss Rives CON
on "The Evil Influence of a Politica
Ring" The Rev. DR.. Wesley IL. Hi
derbrand, local Methodist minister
was sent into the Bowery to writ
up ball. John Philip Sousa, who Ell
tertained Miss Rivcs during her sta
at Atlantic City. S,as dispatched t
the police court before his evenin
concert and wrote a pitiful tale {
woe. The press agent for beac
front hotel was sent to a revival NEE
ing
Postmaster Harry Bacharach +,
ceived orders to interview Supervi
ing Architect Taylor of the treasur
department, who arrived at Atlant
City the other day, on the new pos
office Mayor Franklin =. Stoy, who's
| term will soon expire and who is
} candidate for reelection, was assigne
to write an article on "Mayoralt
|, Prospects," Joseph Hart, the acto
was compelled to write the Christia
= Endeavor notices.
), The printers "devil' scored one {
8 Miss Rives when he suggested til;
she review "IIearts Coura geous," b,