The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-01-17

| the democratic convention is to be held For full
year past his papers have kept his name promi
nently before the public, and the suppostion that
is seeking the nomination at the hands of the demo
cess-is probably correct 1t is supposed his determ
nation to publish paper at st, Louis is merely
convention the greatest possible influence in his ia
vor, His papers, published at widely separated
points, reach practically all of the people of TIN
country and their utteranees are familiar to the ma
jorty of the men who will make up the convention
We can see no reason why Mr., Hearst is to be con
demned for thus planning to get for himself tn,
democratic nomination. He is anxious to becom
prominent politically and already holds u seat IN
congress- representing the Wall street district o
New York city, Mr.. Hearst is democrat and
makes as good congressman as any other democra
would make-perhaps better one for he is ener
getc and has the means to carry out his ideas. Dem
ocrats follow beaten political paths and Mr. Hearst
footprints may be found upon them
1t is not the intention here to discuss the merit
of Mr. Hearst's political character, but to consider
for moment the means he has adopted to gain hi
ends. He has presumably determined TO Use his pa
pers in his own interests in his fight for recognition
and that he should be condemned for his is ser
iously to be doubted. Mr.. Hearst is an emnentl.
successful newspaper publisher His papers are wid'
ly read, and they print the news-for which they
have been dubbed, yellow" The man who owns
them believes in advertising. 1t has made other
men, and he knows of no reason why it should moi
make him. He is merely advertising himself into
public notice His papers set forth his claims and
if there is no general response it is not the fault of
the system As is the case with all other kinds Of ad
vertisng, he is simply letting the people know of
existing conditions; the choise lies with them.
1t might be said of Mr. Hearst that he is disre-
garding the proprieties by thus footing his own
horn = that he is vulgarly forward in urging himself
for the nomination through the columns Of his own
papers. But this view is not well founded The
man who 'boosts" himself is the one who succeeds.
and were it not for Mr. Hearst s efforts in his own
behalf he would surely not now be member Of the
lower house of congress. Through the medium Of
his papers he secured the political recognition, aud
by similar means he hopes, it is to be presumed to
land the presidential nomination Those few poll.
ticians who have been literally forced into office by
enthusiastic friends are merely the exceptions which
prove the wellesablished rule that the successful
politician must attend very carefully and conss.
tently to his campaign before the battle as well
as after
Mr.. Hearst would unquestionably be defeated if
nominated; no democvrat, with the possible exccp-
tion Of Mr.. Cleveland, could even be seriously re-
garded in contest with either Mr. Roosevelt or Mr.
Hanna, of whom one or the other will doubtless re-
eeiye the republican nomination But certain it is,
in the absence of any very material popular demand
that he be nominated Mr.. Hearst is using the best
available means to secure the Endorsement of the ma
tional convention. That he owns the papers which
are giving him the greatest portion of his support
is an immateral circumstance like every other dem
ocrat who is seeking the honor, he is employing the
best means at his command-and the best at the COM
mand of any man.
For it pays to advertise