The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-17


by such speakers to be fully reported in
next mornings paper.
1.-THE truth is, no one who has not had
newspaper experience. has any concep-
ton of the strain which newspaper men
live under all the time
Sometime ago the writer happened to
be in the office of big daily at night
while the hustIing work of getting up the
paper was on in earnest. The foreman
interviewed the editor concerning what
should go in and what should be left out.
Column after column for certain depart
ments was reported In, set up, and per-
haps as much more for the same de-
partment ready. All had to be passed
upon. and much of it--indeed all of it
was regarded as important matter. Per-
haps the editor did not so regard it all,
but some others outside did. The social
people would be offended II news from
their set was not printed; religious meet
ngs would think. the papers influence out
of harmony with morality If the church
news was omitted; the newly married
and their friends would feel Sighted if
every marriage within doubly reasonable
distance was not deliberately written up;
the many correspondents who We're Civ
ing the news from the four corners would
be hurt if their letters we're not printed:
the political guardians of the State and
Nation would be alienated for all time
if their contributions were not promptly
printed. And all these things had to be
canvassed and decided upon in less time
that 1t takes to write it.
Leaving the sanetum of the busy editor
OF a big daily paper, we felt sorry for
him in his perplexities for we knew there
was no way out of it but to do the best
he could and then have somebody mad
as a March hare, and feeling like the
editor acted meanly of malice afore
thought
1--WE may be excused for saying further
that similar and equally as big odds and
difficulties block the way of the editor
of weekly paper Especially is that
part about missing something vexing
question. Every editor of a local paper
thinks his home readers are harder to
please than the readers OF any other pa
per. But they are about all alike. II
Miss Nancy's visit to Miss Sallie Ann In
the next town or village is left out it
makes about as much Juror in one place
as another. If the editor or reporter in
one town or village misses something
that ought to have gone in the paper,
there Is as much buster about it in one
place as another
But, dear, considerate, charitable news
paper readers. let us assure you that 70
miss something annoys the editor or
reporter far more than 1t does those who
are interested in the little matter that
was omitted. The papers are doing their
best to print what is news and perhaps
you are abusing them while you could as
easily help them. and save your own
worry
North Carolina has shown more wis
other State in the Union The London
libel law is monument both to the
wisdom of the North Carolina General
Assembly of 1901 and to the power of the
press in North Carolina. Other States are
moving to secure better legislation.
bill introduced in the Indiana
Legislature which provides that infor-
nation given in confidence to an editor
or reporter shall be privileged, is of in
tense interest to newspaper men. 1t is
q step toward placing journalism securely
among the higher professions, which
have been represented in the past by the
law, the medicine and the ministry only.
a dangerous measure We're it not for
the section which makes the giving out
of false information under such condi-
tions a crime, and which provides pun
ishment for the same. This safeguard
makes the bill reasonable from every
standpoint.
Great as is the press in its service
in fathoming crime and assisting officers
OF the law in instituting justice, it's pow
er would doubtless be increased inn
monsely if it could be regarded as a
sort of confessional where those in pos
session of knowledge of wrong doing
could make the case plain before the
people and still be guaranteed the conf
dence which such confessions are granted
when given to practitioners in the other
professions.
Commenting on the proposed law the
Tacoma (Wash.l Ledger says:
" The newspaper man in his line of
duty has to tell the truth, even though
this causes the persons to whom it re-
lates to pass through an unpleasant or
deal 1t is possible that an individual
may be in possession of an important
fact the public has a right to know
about but is afraid to make it known
unless upon the promise that he be
shielded. This promise a newspaper man
often gives, and has right to keep, and
should be protected in the keeping. If
the information prove false, the inform
| ant certainly would have no reason to
expect to be safeguardeds
In the course of an editorial upon the
Lill. the Atlanta Constitution says:
IF newspaper man is to be exempt
| from turning legal informer' at the de-
mand of the court he will be placed on
footing with the priest, the doctor and
the lawyer, to the extent that their con-
| fessional secrets are privileged. And why
not? If anybody has a right to such ex-
10y, in in