Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-28


What to any newspaper is greater
than ALL what is more than all
else TO be sought and maintained. is
It's prestige. The newspaper is what
it is in community according not
only 10 rhe manner N which it has
become entronchcd. but To the rcla-
tons which ii bears 10 the public
through its known and established oc-
cupancy of certain field of useful
ness. AS in everything. it is that
which develops from fXedness of
purpose. is built up on We'll known
principles that endures in tie news
paper business. So too, every news
paper may broaden the field of its use
fitness. as long as it does not lose
sight Of time honored land m2ri.s.
But when through ambitions swSy
it beguiles itself with the idea taat
after the experiences, the vicissitudes
The toll and struggle of 10 years. il is
out OF pace and must needs change
its entire course. it creates OF itsclf
an unfortunate commentary.
With every desire 10 avoid appear
dlICc vi cASctuiLS tic Va .'ap-
priety in the discussion of the family
affairs of Il contemporary, it MAJ not
be unbecoming to recall that not p.anv
months ago the Union was comrli
mented with a somewhat tempting
proposition looking to the Chang
ing of its propr;etorship. The Offer.
4 handsome one, as said. was ma"
and ultimately rejected on the
strength of the rare advantages taat
the paper enjoyed by reason OF Its
long standing, its franchise and good
will as 4 morning republican ncwspa-
per. And yet in so short time, we
see wha: was pat beyond price then
cast TO the four winds. the beaten
:oad left for the !.ntriei path.
Recently the Dcop.c OF Davenport
were treated to a Spectacle not dis
similar To what has happened in Rock
IsianG-the passing OF tie mornin g
newspaper. the Davenport Republican.
IN its place there appeared upon the
newspaper armament hereabouts,
what was known as the Evening Star.
the Tri-City Star. representative OF an
! institution that had abandoned Op-
portunities exclusively its own TO enter
competition in field already amply
supplied. What may have been the
influence of this venture on the Union.
there need be no assertion here, but
regardless of what may be in store
for its successor, the Republican had
not the score of years in its favor that
the Union had. which fact makes the
Rock Island case the more exceptional.
To serve its contituency fairly and
honestly the newspaper must often
make sacrifices. The path of duty
does not always lie through pleasant
or profitable paths. In the conscien-
tious discharge of obligation, in the
aim of consistent endeavor to serve
| well and honorably the public the
newspaper must at times lose sight
of personal opportunity. The publica-
ton of paper in extra edi-
tons as events may seem to
warrant not infrequently is of the ma
ture of response 10 the spirit of en-
terprise rather than consideration OF
the suggestion of profit. The strict
adherence to custom as to time of
publication is as much i matter of
vital Importance both as it affects the
paper and its readers as any element
that enters into its production. When
through its constancy a paper has
taught its readers TO depend upon it,
to anticipate it and to believe in it.
there has been established bond of
confidence between that paper and its
readers that it has no right to violate
as long as il can stand above water,