Milford chronicle., 1905-02-10
WHAT is NEWS.

Mr.. EDITOR:
The wording Of two or three letters from
your correspondents, make 1t appear there is
afoat an idea OF difference between news and
gossip.
Isn't It fne idea and ine power Of dis
elimination, indeed which can always make
this discrimination ? Studying dictionary
definitions doesn't altogether solve the difi-
Guilty; there seems to be demand for good
Common, or uncommon sense-something
not always easy to command.
Some points Of the discrimination are cas-
ny made, suppose; we can perhaps ree0g-
nize real news more easily than gossip.
The storm OF January 25th told its own tale
TO each individual in its track. But its e1-
tent, severity and consequences would be
news to the masses interesting data.
II Jake sits up with Cinthy, she wouldn't
thank me to publish their ways and words
II knew them. Why should it be agreeable
to them 10 have the fact OF his visit published?
AS long as we have young people there will
be lovers and sweethearts; hirts and flirting
friends and visiting; why not take It for
granted and realize that out OF the hundreds
OF the CHRONICLES readers there are but few
who care whether Jake goes with Cinthy or
Sukie Ann.
II Josiah takes Samantha and the baby TO
spend an afternoon or day with his folks or
hers, no one need be surprised. and but few
interested. 1t is not unnatural. Nor is it
strange or OF public Importance; when one or
more persons, young or old, visit others in
town or country, unless 1t be matter OF dis /
tance-hardly then.
How long will IL be, Mr.. Editor, before the |
visitors costumes and style of dressing the
hair will be added to so-called news items,
and we are informed as to whether 1t was tine
spotted or yaller dog which trotted along be-
hind7
Friction makes blisters and callouses. The
friction between kindly mention and public
jeering, has caused many blisters on human
hearts.
Don't the most Of us appreciate most the
practical joke, when 1t hits the "other fel-
ow ?" five are to be roasted. alive, can't
ne make IL q private matter?
Suppose you say. "why, Uncle Tom, all
these folks are immensely pleased to see
heir names in printF' Then 1 reply, don't
print them for they are vain enough without
hat.
Perhaps you will say, "But how am going
o help it? If 1 refuse, my correspondents
viii get wrathy and write nothing''-isn't .
hat about what some items amount to any
low, nothing, or less? {
"Ah well, talking is easy. H. cut out the 4
ping items nom the letters sent me, the I
Vrlter's friends will resent it."
And If yOR don't, their victims and their /
riends will so ii is easy enough to see the 1
witch-pot" they keep boiling for the editor. q
1 remember something an editor told me
ne time: he said, "You do not realize what a
4, % Do -,
he correspondents for publication. Some v
them are real items of news while others
ppear to be such; but, in reality, are hidden +
ttempts to poke fun at another by imposing
pom the publisher OF the paper the item as
ews item.
How are we to discriminate between them
he first intimation that comes, is in the form
SOM. citizen calling in wrath to know why
3 should be made the victim Of coarse joke n
worse then 1t is up TO the newspaper edi- G.
# or manager to explain, If possible, why =,
e paper shonld publish such rot.
l have often wished that l could get hold OF p'
such items and publish them under the
al name Ofthe individual writing them ct
1t even that will make no difference, as each ~,
'cade brings about the same class of indi- 80
duals, "There is nothing new under the az
IN" Sc
What a ring Of vexation, helplessness and q,
sire to do well above the opportunity, there
in those words. It is reasonable to sup
Use the reading Of newspapers is not editing tn
EN-, Pi
But, BIf Editor, don't be afraid Of your al
ENDS; if basket Ofapples we're given to
mo one could expect you to eat cores and
!; aud no reasonable correspondent would Oh
insulted because your editorial sense told hi
II pruning would give better fruit in the th
Ws orchard. THOMAS