Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1904-07-09
PROVINCE OF NEWSPAPERS.

THE following article is stolen from some ONT of our exchanges,
l or rather it is reproduced without credit, because in clipping
it we overlooked the paper from which it was taken. 1t, however
expresses our views to dot on the province of newspapers and
that is why it appears here:
" believe it was Machiaveli who declared that the proper
use oflanguage was to conceal thought. There are many per-
sons of the Machiaveuian stamp who believe, IF seem to believe
that newspapers are published for the purpose of suppressing.
instead of gathering and disseminating the news. If a house is
burglarized in the to Nn, no mention should be made of 1t because.
some family might be deferred from locating in a community
where the preparation of such a crime is possible. If a citizen is
=" held up" by foot pads and forced to disgorge his money and
other valuables the newspaper man must MAINTAIN silence or the
impression may be created abroad that proper protection is not
afforded in the town or city and consequently it is an unsafe place
to visit or take up residence. Ifextravagance or corruption pre-
walls, or there is mismanagement in county or municipal affairs,
the local newspaper must on no account publish the fact, even
without comment, for fear that capital will be frightened, and
therefore deferred from investment where such conditions exist
If public official is guilty of an ofense. such as if committed by a
private citizen would be prosecuted and punished as a crime, the
newspaper MAJ must be mute q S a mouse from tear OF personal
assault and the boycotting of his paper in the matter of news
facilities and official patronage, for the reason that publicity of
such matters " hurts the town by causing distrust of its local
government.
These arr the ideas which n held, or seem to be held, by some
people regarding the legitimate province and purpose OF a news
paper. they differ widely from those held by reputable Jour
nalists, and, w e re confident, by a large majority of the best ee-
ment in the communities where such journalists pursue their
labor. 1t is the general belief and it stands to reason, that pre-
vention of crime and correction of all classes of abuse can be better
effected by publicity than by concealment. ia building is o. fire
and a general connagration threatened, immediate alarm should
be given SO that the citizens may hasten to the rescue and apply
such means as they possess to subdue the flames and avert serious
disaster. We believe it TO be the general opinion that the news
paper publisher who fails to publish such matters Of news as his
patrons expect, and which they are entitled to, is unworthy Of
respect or support in the way of patronage. 1t is our opinion
that a publisher too cowardly to perform his duty to the public
in this respect, should sell the plant of his alleged newspaper and
invest the proceeds in a nickelin in he slot machine, or some other
business which requires neither physical nor moral courage, nor
any manly attribute for its successful exploitation
DAN W. EDWARDS, WHO will be remembered in Fanon as an
insurance representative, is the subject of considerable free adver-
Using these days on account OF his connection with a stock job
bling deal at Tonopah. emil
BERT i. CRAWFORD has resumed publication of The Ledger at
Reno. The paper appears to have benefited by its long rest, for
il is greatly improved in appearance and bears all the ear marks
of future prosperity. May success attend it's efforts.