The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-06-11
Tors VISIT
ST. LOUIS.
Missouri Building Seat of Opera
tons on Tuesday.
MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION MEETS.
President Francis, Governor Dock
cry, and Judge J. II.
Hawthorne Make
Addresses.
MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION MEETS.

Missouri editors and their brethren from
all the states and European countries were
entertained Tuesday, May II, at the Mis-
souri, Building on the Worlds Fair Grounds.
In the afternoon the 3Sth Annual Meeting
Of the Missouri Press Association, presided
over by President 4. II. Wilson, Of Tarklo,
was held IN State Hall. In the evening the
editors and their friends were received by
the Missouri Worlds Fair Commission.
President d. r. Francis, Governor A. N.
Dockery and Judge J. III. Hawthorne. for
the Commission, were the speakers in the
afternoon. A large crowd was present.
President Francis spoke briefly upon the
growth of Missouri and congratulated the
Governor for wisdom displayed In the ap-
pointment Of the Commission which has
s., thoroughly exploited the resources Of
Missouri,
Governor Dockery's theme was the "
OF the press. lie spoke as follows
'Mr. President, Members Of the Missouri
Press Association, Ladies' and Gentlemen
when l view this splendid assemblage
OF representative newspaper men | am led
to believe that your subscribers have given
favorable response to a recent editorial Of
one of the metropolitan papers, advising
them to settle old accounts, that the editors
might be able to attend this meeting Of your
Association and also visit the Exposition.
! am therefore pleased that am permitted
to congratulate both you and them.
YAH classes OF our people are swift to
eoncede the wonderful power of the press.
Looking back over the years we can see
how rapidly the press has grown In influence
until 1t is today at least the equal Of any
other single agency in the country. Both
the metropolitan and country newspapers
WELD a persuasive mastery In moulding and
controlling public sentiment. The metro
polltan press has recently had the advantage
OF the rural free delivery. which has en-
abled 1t to reach a great number of people
who prior to the establishment Of this
branch Of the postal service were not able
to avail themselves Of the daily papers.
Each class Of newspapers, however, has
DrnCticoIlV ffc oWn fafI Droparlv under
stood, there can be no conflict between the
great daily and the county seat weekly.
One Is the complement Of the other, and
both are masterful in directing the policies
Two classes Of journalism are the out
growth of the times. Sensational papers
pander 70 their readers, delighting In the
most extravagant headlines and statements
concerning even trivial matters. The old
style newspaper, with its single edition
embodies its findings In carefully prepared
articles, setting out the news Of the day
and Its editorials seek to express the policies
Of Its management in emphatic yet conserYa
tive language.
'rhe busy, bustling man Of affairs nov
rarely takes time to read lengthy editorials
or other matter which enters into greai
detail. Rather he contents himself Will
chances at the headlines, which in them
selves are a fair epltome Of the articles
they pSecede, II such Is not the case tn,
article is dismissed with a casual glance
and lost sight Of In the more attractive and
explanatory data which crown another col
umn.
"The synopsis Of the days news is an.
other explanation for such tastes. A care
full study of the summary will In many In
stances give the hurried reader a fair Idea
of the papers contents, and only such arti
eies as appeal to him specially are care
fully read.
'There is much criticism Of the sensa
tional newspaper. II Is often characterized
as yellow journalism. Its origin does moi
date back more than thirty years. 1t maJ
be properly the subject of censure, and vel
1t exists only In response to public demand
and Is the outgrowth Of the commercial
spirit. Its advent dethrOned the old-timI
editor, such as Horace Greeley, James Cor
don Bennett and George ID. Prentice, an,
made the business manager, rather than tn
editorial writer, the dominating force in de
termining the policy Of the metropolitan
@The income from the subscribers to TIL
daily papers no longer furnishes any consider
able part Of the income of these papers. /
scarcely pays for the white paper upol
which the journal Is printed. The advertls
Ing, under the present system, yields tn
revenue, enabling dividends to be paid t
stockholders Of the daily press.
Notwithstanding this change OF polio
there Is still a wide field OF usefulness lei
for the free, u~ntrammeled metropolitan news
paper. Its agencies for good are still p,
tent. Acting In unison and III harmony wit
the best impulses Of the people It Is sti
a mighty factor In the promotion Of Ii
public Welfare.
The country press as a mOulder of publ
opinion, Is a power recognized Throughout
the land. II stands for the advancement {
the interests Of the community which
serves to the exclusion Of everything els
1t champions the interests Of It's patrons an
brings tidings Of everyday happenings
the home. 1t lauds the man Of AFFAIRS 4,
enterprise, while he lives, and pronounce
an elegant eulogy, cherished by the famil
when he Is called to his reward. 1t chroi
icles the Joy Of new-made parents, an
praises the beauty and accomplishments
each happy bride. II promotes every ente
prise for the public good, and receives be
carly remuneration for unseldsh efforts.
ut fearlessly advocates Its ~favorite
every contest, political or otherwise, carrl
his banner aloft, and II victory crowns /
efforts, continues to yaunt It's opinions al
congratulate its friends.
IF. however, disaster comes, II shows !
breadth Of character by gracefully acceptil
the inevitable and 'to0ts the lead horn
the band wagon Of the successful aspiraT
It's support Is all the more appreciated |
cause II bows to the will Of the maiorii
fit Is this ability to respond to pub
sentiment which makeB or mars a iourni
With a bright, energetic man at the he'll
as most Missouri editors are, each edit
brings more loyal supporters,
'grhe position Of the country editor, theI
fore. Is most important. Because OF his
luence be should thoughtfully weigh I
uffoTHneQH The community awaits his an