The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-29

Right and Wrong Ways Of Seeking to
Mold Public Opinion.

Baltimore Herald.
Yellow journalism has a fashion OF re-
joicing in the adjective that has been ap-
piled TO it with unfavorable intent. and Of
pointing out that to be yellow means 10
be exceptionally enterprising. the friend
of the oppressed. the foe of the oppressor.
and TO be everything that is superlatively
virtuous and righteously strenuous in the
making of newspapers. One of the cardinal
tenets of the school is TO make news as
well as TO print it. and the expression that
Justice Jerome used in regard TO the entire
press of New York city as representative
of newspaper ideals-"government by news
papers"-is undoubtedly within the scope of
the ambitions OF the yellow cult.
I On SOM occasions the effort to make
news is not without its beneficial results.
Undoubtedly the progressive newspaper has
the same right 10 participate actively N
movements that its directing agencies be
lieve to be for the public good that any cor
porauion or a private citizen has. The good
or bad that may grow out of such en-
deavors is, OF course, dependent upon the
accuracy of the judgment of those VINO
supplement the traditional means Of exer-
cis!ng the power of the press with acts that
accord with their opinions.
There is, however, an alleged right 10
WELD the power of the press assumed by
the opponents Of yellow journalism that ex-
ceeds the right of private citizens or cor
porate enterprises, and it is one that should
be frowned upon, proceeding from a news
paper publication, as it would be when il
proceeds from other quarters. That alleged
right is the attempt TO influence and to
sway the course OF justice by hysterical ap-
peal 10 public opinion on unsYorn testi-
mony and through a ~usurpation OF the
functions of judicial prerogative.
Very frequently the batteries of prejudice
n~a soto - EA--A sn1frsIran1 %
cused of crime, and thus public opinion
is poisoned and ii becomes difficult to Sc
cure a prompt and unbiased verdict from
the constituted authority for determining
the guilt or innocence of accused persons.
Again, the same pernicious effort is made
TO sway the public sympathies in behalf Of
those accused, and the course OF justice is
blocked by contemptuous disregard OF the
regular and orderly fashion Of going about
the ascertainment Of the truth.
A notable instance of the latter variety
of attmepted government by newspapers"
Of assault upon institutions which are the
safeguards of the peace, property, lives
and liberties of citizens. is now displayed
in connection with the Florence Burns case
points with pride to qualities which il
deems to be comprehended by the word
yellow" marshals opinions of the guilt
or innocence OF the girl accused Of the
murder of Walter Brooks. and gives space
to artful pleas that seek TO touch the sym
pathies of those easily influenced, plainly
dIu OoIuly COhbelulhS mat IL lHt pIlSOHeE
did commit the crime charged to her she
should, nevertheless, not be held account
able.
The logical sequence of this meddlesome
manufacture of public sentiment in con-
nection with criminal cases would be the
abolition of the courts, the saving of at
tendant expenses and the RELOCATION of all
criminal jurisdiction to the crime depart
ment of the ''yellows.' The innocent as
we'll as the guilty would be inclined to
shudder at the prospect, and those whose
interests are now represented by the State
would undoubtedly have cause for alarm.
Nevertheless, the bestowal Of full powers Of
judicial authority upon newspapers would
only differ in degree from the partial and
partially effective assumption Of those pow
ers which is now tolerated.