Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-14
me-, mn ON JOCRN1LtsM

N'1-
The leading spirits Of the Omaha
Business Mems association have very
queer conceptions OF the functions Of
the press. Their ideal Of the news-
paper is formed on strictly mercantile
lines. They look upon the newspaper
az they would upon n country store
whose proprietor has goods on the shelf
or in the cellar to barter away or to
sell for cash and they cannot compre-
bend why the editorial policy Of the
paper should not be dictated from the
business office.
With the merchant and the banker
money talks and the man who pays
first is served first, and the man who
buys the largest quantity Of goods gets
the lowest price. From that point Of
view the refusal Of a newspaper to al
low its business Office to dictate the
policy. whether in the interest OF n
patron or all the patrons, is incompre-
hensible. II they would give the mat
ter a moments thought, however, they
WOuIu Dt COlNluCeu lHdl IL NSpdpOt
that prostitutes its columns and sells
its opinions on any question is not
merely dangerous to the public welfare,
but should be despicable in the eyes Of
all honest men.
That there are such newspapers pub
llshed there Is no doubt, but like the
hybrid in nature they are impotent and
powerless either to create or mould pub
lie opinion. An honest journal must
strive above all things to maintain a
reputation above the suspicion Of We
nhlity. It's editorial opinions and its
general policy must At all times remain
unaffected and uncomfortable by patron.
age in any shape or form.
II has been the proud record Of The
Bee that at no stage Of its career, in
times of adversely and business depres-
sion as well rs in times Of prosperity,
has it ever allowed itself to be swerved
by mercantile interests or pecuniary
benefits. If the r%eportorial or editorial
columns Of The Bee had been a mer-
charitable commodity it could have
raked in hundreds of thousands Of dol
lars In the course of the last thirty
years, and its editor would have been
the most popular man with the cor
porations and political jobbers who has
ever stepped foot on Nebraska soil.
The opinions of a p~urchasable editor
have no weight and his advice no fol-
lowers. If the editorial policy OF The
Bee had been shaped by its business
Office it could have readily made prohta-
bic deals with public works contractors
and public utility corporations, and in
stead of fighting the battles OF the
people against public plunderers it
would have fought the battles of the
corporations and rings that have
gnawed at the vitals Of u state and
city from year to year.
II The Bee had beer a merchantable
commodity, the efforts Of the Real Els
tate exchange to compel the franchised
corporations to bear their Just share
of the burdens of taxation would have
been futile, and public opinion In the
state would not have been awakened
to the enormity Of railroad tax-shirking.
It is because The Bee has stood up
fearlessly in season and out of season
for what in its best Judgment would
promote the general public welfare, and
because it has battled for what it be-
Iiavas IN no RIGHT and onnoaod Win
it believes to be wrong at any cost and
any sacrifice, that it enjoys the conf.
dence and respect of the masses, and
takes rank with the great newspapers
of America that may always be de
pended on to discuss all great public
questions and Issues without fear OF
favor from the broad standpoint OF
good government and humanity.