The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-04
In Lighter Vein
OniniOnS and Business.

Opinions and Business. ....s 4
Some people seem to think that the editorial
position of a paper is always determined oy
business consderations-at least whenever IL
is possible to attach, even in the most tenu-
Gus manner, such considerations to questions
that come I'D for editorial treatment They
think that papers always adjust their views
to the probable effect they may have on the
circulation the next day, or whether sucn an
editorial attitude is likely to cause the paper
the loss of valuable advertising patronage.
Sometimes they attribute the editorial tone
to supposed loss of business of some kind,
and, at other times, to an effort to prevent
threatened withdrawal of patronage. But al
WAYS they look for hidden and selfish mo-
tive for editorial expression. There are pa
pers, to be sure, that treat their editorial and
news columns in much the same commercial
way that they treat their advertising columns.
News can be colored and editorials can be
written to suit those who will pay for such
services But in the whole country, the
number Of seemingly respectable papers that
so prostitute their columns are very Jew.
Most papers take sides on questions or
the day as the judgment OF the edltor-ln-
chief dictates, and without regard for the
question of the probable effect of the chosen
course on the business of the paper. OF
course on all political questions a paper that
is identified with party or the o1her
takes the bearings of the lew questions with
respect to probable party procurement be-
fore committing itself. Sometimes, too If 1t
is felt that the party view will be dlferent
from the personal view of the editor, he
sacrifices the latter to the former, and makes
it the policy of the paper. Of course the edi-
tor has to keep in mind the fact that his sal
airy is paid and the paper supported by the
money the public gives it in return for news
and advertising, and must not say or do
things that will permanently ALLEVIATE or
scandalize the clientele of the paper. paper
that is not supported by polygamous Nor
mons would not be justified in advocating
poIygamy however much the editor might
personally favor it. No matter how com
mendably independent the paper may be and
however much it may take unpopular posi-
tons, at times, it yet can not fail to be in
huenced in a large degree by the probable
may take
The Text.
The text of the preceding sermon was fur
l,ished by two gentlemen who were discuss
ing the railway merger while sitting in a
street car. Both thought the consolidation
of parallel and competing railway lines was
dangerous to the interests of the northwest,
and both agreed with the papers that have
been opposing the merger; but both were
suspicious of the animating motive of edi-
torial stands and We're casting around for
some practical explanation. One of them adj
Tanced it as his fixed opinion that the news
papers were opposing the merger because 1t
would mean that their advertising with the
railroads concerned would be reduced two
thirds If the three roads were consolidated.
The other accepted this idea as very tenable
and as affording an altogether probable ex-
PLANTATION of the suspicious fact!
ssToO Late"
The views Of these rather cynical street
car philosophers on the general question of
trusts, as outlined between Tenth street
and Franklin avenue, were equally interest
ing. In brief, they concluded that the omnip-
otence of the trusts was to be added to the
other universally accepted certainties of life
in this sad world-death and taxes Through
the apathy Of the people the trusts would
soon come to control the whole nation, and
| their reign would be without end. The la
boring people understood already what the
trusts mean but alone they had not been
powerful enough seriously to impede the slow
but Irresistible progress Of the trusts to ma
tional domination. The middle classes had
not yet felt the pinch of the great industrial