Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-19
A School of journalism.

widespread discussion, than the gift
by Joseph Pulitzer. owner of the New
York World, OF $1,000 600 to establish
and maintain. a school of Journalism at
Columbia University. So called cor
respondence schools OF journalism
have been in operation for some time
but they have not found favor with
practical newspaper publishers, who
have held somewhat tenaciously to the
idea that the best school for journal
ism is the actual work of newspaper
office They are doubtless right in be-
lieving that e. young man who entered
upon actual newspaper work after
such a course with the impression that
he was a full hedged all round Journal
ist, would be a good deal Of ''poul-
tice"-and not nearly as good as
young man who came in the full
knowledge that he had everything to
learn, and who was willing to buckle
down to whatever work was placed be-
fore him. Not long ago the Journal
received from a correspondence school
in Journalism recommendation for
one of it's graduates. He was said to
know how to report fires, weddings,
and similar events; to spell and to
punctuate. and to write a direct and
condensed style-all useful attain
ments for beginner certainly If,
however, the young man regarded him
self as q full equipped newspaper man
{ because of this preliminary work or
imagined that he could make his way
in the practical hustle of reporter 8
life without training his perceptions,
acquiring the art of meeting the public
easily aid pleasantly, and putting in
the necessary hustle to get there" he
would be doomed to inevitable and
ienominous failure.
This fact may doubtless account for
much Of the prejudice existing in the
profession against ready made news
paper men. It would be folly. however,
and e. very narrow view of the sltua-
paper man to underestimate the real
value of practical preliminary train
ing as a basis for successful news
paper work All other things being
equal, the man who enters the profess
sion. with the best educational equip
ment will win his way to the front the
soonest.
It was doubtless the recognition Of
this fact by Mr.. Pulitzer, one of the
ablest and most successful members of
the newspaper profession in this coun-
try that led to his endowment Of the
school of journalism at Columbia Uni
vcrsity. This movement will empha-
size the fact that newspaper work
ranks as one of the professions.
1t recognizes the fact that journal
medicine the law or the Christian
miristry--and as such demands a
special course of preliminary training.
AS the physician and the lawyer de-
velop their resources, and prove their
metal in the actual practice of their
professions, so the newspaper worker
must ultimately develop his powers,
prove his worth and find his true level
in the actual work Of n newspaper
NJ,
ough has been his preliminary training
the greater will be his chances of sue
cess In his chosen calling. No pro-
fcssional man is in greater need of a
careful special training as a prelimi-
nary to his real work In life, than the
one whose time and thought and effort
are centered in the labors incident to
the publication of a modern newspaper.
If the law is Jealous mistress, jour
nalism is even more exacting, and in
its labors every educational attain
mcnt is certain sooner or later to be
of practical value.
The school of journalism established
by Mr. Pulitzer will enjoy the great
advantage of being largely under the
control and direction of trained and
experienced newspaper workers-men
of recognized ability and high stand
ing in their profession. 1t is safe to
assume, therefore, that the course of
study and training will be laid out
along practical lines.
In opening up this new academic
field Mr.. Pulitzer has done a great
work for American journalism--one
whose far-reaching influence and i'm
portance it is impossible to estimate.
Out Of the more careful training of
the newspaper workers Of tomorrow
and the clearer public appreciation OF
journalism as a distinct profession