Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26
SMALL TOWN NEWSPAPERS.
Glimpses of the Life and Works of the
:o Rural People,

From the Indianapolis Journal.
British visitor to this country not long
since was quoted as saying that he esti-
mated the character and quality of the peo-
pie largely by the newspapers. A fairly ac-
curate estimate may be made in this way.
no doubt. but could not come from inspec-
ton Of the papers which in all probability
fell into the hands of this Englshman. He
would naturally see the prominent metro
politan papers. and at furthest only the
leading ones of the smaller cities. From
the character of these he could draw certain
correct differences as to the people for
whom they were printed. He would know
first and most distinctly, that these people
were full of enterprise and energy and were
ready for any commercial undertaking.
however vast; he would learn that they
were generous In large way somewhat
boastful. rather careless, Individually of
their public obligations, but on the whole
having rather a. high standard by which to
measure public men. These and numerous
other conclusions he could draw from the
papers that would in all likelihood fall into
his hands. but unless he made study Of
the country press he would miss view Of
these same people quite necessary to a
proper understanding and estimate of them.
The metropolitan papers deal with af-
fairs Of general interest-foreign and ma
t1onal events, politics, matters relating to
public men news that concerns many
classes Of readers, etc; the papers of small
towns and villages deal with matters Of
another sort: they are in close touch with
their readers and treat of local and personal
affairs. Politics and outside news may
have place in their columns. too, but mere
ly in an incidental way. 1t is the local
record that gives them interest and char
acter and makes them valuable and de-
lightful. In a community where every
body knows everybody else there Is q nat
ural and perfectly proper interest in know
ing that Uncle Jake Snyder is having his
barn painted. that Sam Sweeney is having
Two, with tic tIa% II ~
son has raised the biggest tomatoes ever
seen in the region. that John Jones visited
his best girl" on Sunday night, and so on,
and so on. and SO on. 1t is not love of
trivial detail or petty gossip, but an out
growth of neighbory and kindly feeling
that calls for recital of these things. To
an outsider the personal comments may at
times seem overly familiar. but with the
they not considered by the persons
concerned. but are regarded rather as
family pleasantries. 1t is through these
papers, indeed, that glimpses are to be had
of the best family life of the country the
dinners, the picnics. the reunions, the
gayetieS. as well as the more serious phases.
The relations of the people to each other
are discernible One who reads between
the lines of thse brief records Of local hap
penings and doings can see the simplicity,
the open-hearted hospitality. the kindness
Of the men and women who are mentioned
from time Ito time; their pursuits their
ambitions. and. alas. also, their sorrows,
are made clear.
Many man long resident of a city takes
regularly the little paper published in his
old home and reads it eagerly, thus keep
ing in touch with his former associates but
even the stranger of sympathetic mind and
a degree of insight finds charm in such
papers that more Dretentious sheets cannot
possess They bring him into close rela-
lions with the people who above all 9TH
ers, are representative Americans and who
make the country what 1t is.