Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-24
nEpoRToRIAL sCApEGoAT.

The Atlanta Journal has good. strong
word to say in defence Of that much
abused but ostcnsibly invulnerable NOR
tall the reporter. 1t does not hold him
UP as a model of perfection-whch he is
not-nor does it pretend to say that I'M
like other people. he is free from mis-
takes, but it docs say that he is n good
well-meaning fellow, who puts forth his
best efforts to be accurate, and is often
cruelty wrongcd by groundless charges
Of error.
Along this line. our contemporary re-
ferS to a certain class of citizens whom
every reporter knows-and despises-the
kind who deny their published uttcrances
when they tend to complicate matters,
or fail to meet with public favor,
This class of men are as brave as lions
on the rostrum or while being inter
viewed. At such times they put no bride
whatsoever on their speech and make the
very rafters ring with their fulminations.
but the next day when they think over
their words, as they appear in cold type,
they see that they have gone too far. 1t
adopt plan of salvation. What is easier
than to charge the reporters with mis-
quoting them? No matter if the sub
stance of the speech or Interview be we'll
and accurately reported. That makes it
all the worse in the eyes Of the recalci-
trant heroes. 1t is the very thing that
gives them the shiverS And so they
raise howl of indignation to the effect
that they have been 1nisquoted and set
before the public in an unfair light. Then,
TO emphasize their charges, they repeat
the same old cry. ooh, that's newspaper
talk" or "You can't believe everything
you see in print"
The Journal thinks that persons who
have been interviewed are especially
prone to make the reporters their scape-
goats, when they have been imprudent in
their remarks and their utterances look
too bold in type.
1.-The trouble with these interviews in
some instances is they are too correct"
adds our contemporary. Men say more
than they intend. or on second thought,
in print. Cold type is uncompromising.
They would like to change it, or take it
all back. But there is only one way open
TO them. Deny it; put it on the reporter.
In this way they seek to escape respon-
sihility. 1t is the shortest cut, the quick
est way out and there are too many
public men willing to take advantage
of it, rather than stand by their own
words. Perhaps, after all, it is merely
human nature-but it is, certainly, most
unworthy phase of it,
If there be a reporter in the world who
hasn't been through just such experiences
as these, he is sui generis-a creature to
be enyied
1t must be admitted, however, that
newspaper men never get hardened to
such rebuffs. and that charge of mac
curacy laid at their doors stinss them
more than any experience they could
possibly undergo. And why? Because
they pride themselves on their fairness
and accuracy and their ability to get the
gist of things they hear. That they US
ually come wonderfully near the truth
In their reports, no minded person
can deny.
But, after all, there are hardships in
every profession. and the reporter, with
good conscience. ought to lose no sleep
over the fact that now and then some
timid mortal sounds that dread word
.Inisouoted