The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-27
THE COUNTRY WEEKLY.
An Experienced Indiana Editor Tells
Wherein Its Success Lies.

Mr.. Julian ID. Hogate. the well-known
editor of the Danville Qnd.) Republican,
discusses the reeds of the country press in
the following well-written article contrib
uted to Newspaperdom:
The country weekly worthy of its name
needs no salvation. The so-called country
weekly needs salvation and many other
things. But even in n moribund condition
the salvation of the so-called weekly lies
within itself. The country weekly that
needs salvation has allowed its field TO be
not titled. its mission unperformed, its
song unsung. 1t has not kept step with
notwithstanding progress.
1t is. of course. granted that the weekly
has field. 1t cannot be supposed that a
paper can receive salvation or anyIhing
else If printed where there is not the popu-
lation in numbers or quality to support it.
nonpareil paper in a long-primer town
or vice versa could not find salvation. A
perfecting press where a Washington hand
press would suffice would require more
salvation than the utmost human strenu-
BUSINESS would permit. In none of these
cases would saving grace abound.
Given the field, given the plant required.
then what is needed for the salvation of the
country weekly that is not saved and for
the greater salvation of the country weekly
whose name is already written there?
The country weekly should act as if Sc
cure or its position. 1t should be subser-
Went to no man. If a partisan paper, it
should stand for its party as against the
enemy, reserving always the right to speak
out on party policies and condemn men
within the party who have proved recreant
to public or party trust. Mere personal
abuse should be avoided, for the personal
ity of man is sacred. Every position taken
by the paper should be on principle If the
country weekly is an independent paper it
should be so in fact, not wavering in its
course, thus inviting the charge of being
purchasable. 1t should avoid holier-than-
thou air and should not parade its imagined
virtues because it is not a partisan paper
The country weekly should have abso-
lutely one rate for all advertisers. No
mans money should be any better than any
others. If some few foreign advertisers
drop out because a higher rate is thus
Imposed, the editor will make as much out
Of those that remain, while If his paper
have the merit he claims, the advertiser
cannot afford 10 stay out long.
The country weekly should stand for
whatsoever makes for right and morality
and good government. Its editor should be
able to stand in the great white light and
not finch. His editorials should be digni-
fed and clear, should speak the honest
thoughts of clear brain. They should he
omitted only for live news. because edi-
torials are necessary to form the we'll
balanced paper.
The country weekly should have its bust
ness systematized. Editorial matter should
be disposed of early in the week before the
rush of news. Local advertising bills
should be collected monthly The editor
should refrain from running accounts and
trading them out. The card system should
be used for subscription accounts and de-
| linquents carefully looked after, each de-