Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-23

how to write. Inl8 rello1 10 6OmeluiuS ~
be welcomed. Every editor OF any expe-
rience knows what 1t is to have to teach
the green candidate for newspaper WORK IN
the very rudiments Of journalistic knowl-
edge. If hds bump of self-esteem 10 largely
developed he is apt to think he knows y
all and to be impatient Of any tutelage. 1t
is very difficult to get him to curb his pro-
pensity for fine writing" He has to be
taught, with much effort. to avoid tautol-
ogy redundancy, stilted phraseology and
the use of big. many-syllabled words; to
cultivate precision and accuracy Of style;
to learn the right use OF adjectives, and
not to speak of Niagara Falls or mas
terly piece Of military strategy az "eie-
CANT" or mice" and Of a miniature or a
piece of lace 40 stunning" splendid"
magnificent" We not only need Colleges
Of Journalism, but SO large L. the number
Of young men and women now seeking for
newspaper employment that the instruc-
ton In the profession should be taught in
the public schools.
In the matter Of style the mission OF the
College or School of Journalism should not
Be to teach the ancient or modern languages.
One Of the hardest tasks Of the tutor-editor
Is to teach his pupil, II college-bred, how to
unlearn or unload all the pedantrfes OF a
classical university course with which he
has been crammed. The student Of jour-
nalism should be taught, and as well in
the public schools as anywhere. to write
with directness, precision and force; and
there IL no language In existence 30 capable
u
comprehended by every one, high or low,
az plain. unembroidered EnglIsh-the strong,
simple diction of Bunyan, De Foe and the
English translators OF the Bible. The stu
dent OF style could have no better model
set before him than that passage Of won
derful beauty In tho Bible, the 23d Psalm,
commencing:
THE Lord IL my shepherd, shall not
want
He maketh me to lie down in green pas
lures; He leadeth me beside the still
waters"
Most Of the words in this psalm are Of
one syllable; not more than twenty of two
syllables, and only one of three syllables
And in the immortal works of Bunyan and
De Foe, 1.-The Pilgrims Progress and
Robinson Crusoe," the words are mainly
of one or two syllables.
The force of plain, strong English in edi-
torial writing is well shown in the contro-
versies between those veteran journalists
OF the olden tdme-Thomas Richie and
Francis p. Blair. President Polk when he
entered upon office committed the colossal
blunder of turning down Francis p Blair,
the powerful editor of the Globe and bring
ing Thomas Ritchie the longtime editor
OF the Richmond Enquirer, to Washington
to establish an administration organ
Richie came to Washington with a great
reputation as a political writer, but he
proved veritable featherweight in fitness
to NIL the place of such muscular political
slugger as Blair. His style was of the
Is.
He was fond of airing his classics He
headed his editorials with a Latin quota
ton. and got the title Of ''Old Nous Yer
rons' from his habit of ending his articles
with THIS French phrase He also had a
great love for italics and capital letters
sometimes, when he wanted to express
himself with particular point. he would
ltanclse almost every other line and fire.
quently whole paragraph would appear
in capitals His style was sIipsbod and
abounded in repetitions and tautoIopies.
Francis P. Blair, who detested all frills of
style, out was master of plain trenchant
English. made mincemeat Of Richie when
ever they clashed.
Value Of Legal Education in Journal
ism.
Nothing in the nature of systematic in
formation that concerns humanity is en-
tirely foreign to the purposes and uses of
the journalist. But of all the varieties of
knowledge that which comes from legal
training is perhaps of the greatest special
value to him.
Intelligent study of the law disciplines
the mind like that of mathematics and
logic. 1t tends to develop In the individual
exactness of ideas, clear apprehension OF
issues and precision of statement
The editor or editorial writer VINO Wouid
shane national public opinion (the journal
list whom Mr.. Pulitzer has especially IN
view In his College of Journalism must. as
the adviser of statesmen, nave khoWleose
of International, constitutional ana otner
national statute law. He must also be ia
miliar with the latest authoritative de-
cisions of the courts, constituting. modifying
or virtually remaking the statutes, and ne
must have all of this information instantly
available.
The editor who handles the news. as well
as the reporter who collects 1t. both profit
exceedingly by legal training. Court re-
porting is an increasing important Dranch
of news collecting work. Nowadays court
made law that which is announced by the
courts In decisions constituting the statutes
involves so many of the legal prohfbitions
and authorizations which have practical
everyday bearing upon the life OF the clti-
zen, that accuracy in the reports and edito-
rial explanations of such decisions become
essential to the well-rounded newspaper
1t is surprising how much OF the news or
the day bears some nominal relation to the
law, as in law-making, law-breaking. law
executing, law-construing and law-mend-
ing sources of news and topics for editorial
discussion.
A thorough understanding of the law of
libel and its principles Is essential, not for
the purpose of enabling the journalist to
defame with impunity, but to broaden and
strengthen apprecia ton and observance or
the rights of others as well as self, to gain
a clear and practical idea Of the freedom
as distinguished from the license of the
press, to aid In securing wise and needed
amendments OF the libel laws ana to con-
tribute to secure that development of pub
lie opinion in accordance with which true
freedom of the press shall be protected and
maintained.
The Journalist Is in fact lawyer, holding
a perpetual retainer for the public. defend
ing it's interests against selfish individual
or corporate attack. He is in his highest
estate a public legal officer, engaged by and
for the people, whose opinions are given
solely with the interests of the community
In view, and who is subject to public scorn
and contempt II he permits himself to be
led from his duty by fear or favor. by any
consideration of private gain or by any
species of bride whatsoever.
The most essential factors in the make
up of the ideal journalist the upright,
conscientious and wholesome mind which
desires strongly right things for the well
fare of others, including the public, and the
brain, will and energy which put these de-
sires into practical effect in spite of all
obstacles. But In the equipment for battle
Of this champion of right and truth and the
public welfare, no weapons are more eff
fective than those supplied by legal train
ing.
Corps Feeling Among Journalists.
Mr.. Pulitzer speaks of the Importance in
a press college training of cultivating a
class feeling among journalists based upon
morals, education and character, where, as
at West Point, the student is taught honor
and nride In his profession The work for