Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1905-10-17
PURP

The character Of the editorial page Of any periodical
depends on the purpose for which that periodical is pub
lished. Such purpose may be simply to disseminate in
formation or it may be to advance a cause. The second
kind are usually called organs, and among the causes to
which they are devoted may be mentioned moral, social
sociological, philanthropical, literary, occupational, relig-
ious, political and personal. Often times the organ takes
to itself the news gathering and disseminating function,
and on its editorial page its two purposes are plainly
made to appear.
A very large part Of the American reading public
have, without doubt, the idea that every newspaper
should also be an organ of some kind. Hence, almost
without exception, the newspapers advocate one or an.
other of the various political parties. But this does not
satisfy the demands of all. Some want the organ idea
carried into everyday life; and on any subject in which
they are deeply interested, they are not satisfied unless
their particular view shall be that of the paper to which
they give their patronage. When it is remembered that
the patrons of no paper ever look at any public question
in identically the same ligh, the impossibility that a
newspaper of general circulation shall be able to please
all its readers by its editorial utterance becomes appar-
ent.
Then there is another and smaller class, composed
of those that feel intensely upon all subjects in which
they take interest, who are not satisfied that the paper
does not antagonize their views, but they demand that
the paper shall become aggressive in the cause which
they have adopted, even though the paper, from a disin.
terested standpoint, knows full well that any amount of
agitation, while creating local discord. can have no posi-
bic effect upon the final outcome. No editor of discre-
ton cares to fight as one who beats the air, which he
certainly does who attempts to settle questions already
in the hands of the courts, or to outline policies and APP
pointments which lie exclusively in the prerogative of the
national chief executive. and about which that dignitary
doubtless has long since fully made up his mind.
The Youths Companion recently, along this line, had
occasion to say: The purpose of the editorial page of
The Companion is to form character rather than opinion.
Through a staff of competent writer's it keeps its readers
informed of the things which are worth while in the
progress of the world, but it pleads no special cause. 1t
gives the facts as accurately as possible, and lets them
preach their own sermons. Its standard is a courageous,
intelligent and patriotic citizenship broader than race
or party or creed
The purpose of the editorial page of The Citizen is
primarily to work. according to it's wisdom and Opportun-
iy, for Albuquerque and New Mexico To this end it will
furnish all such information at its command as it may
deem desirable that its readers shall possess. It will out
line what policies, territorial and municipal, it regards as
the best for the growth, happiness and prosperity of the
people of this grand commonwealth. And in such mat
tiers as those where the determination rests with the
people, it will oppose what it condemns and labor for
what it approves; believing Salways that he who makes
two blades of grass grow where only one had been grow
ing is greater than he who captures a city.