The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-06-08
IS 1T WoRTH WHILE TO BE AN
EDITOR?
by Harry L Brown. OF the ST. Au-
glstine Recordl

asks this question and II whom an
answer is expected We OF the Florida
/ Press Association who have been mi
tiated. even 20 the Royal Bumper De-
gree" into The mysteries OF newspa-
/ perdOm, could. Il We would. give some
/ private information OF this point but
for TIE reason that Il would De betray-
ling one OF the profound secrets OF one
q FlOrida's great trusts" 5tis humble
member Of ltle press gang k=si-arss %
/ answer. except II q general way. lest
he be accused u treason
/ Years and years ago-whea a child
IL used . envy. with al my heart
/ ne. coal begrirued engineer OF the
mighty locomotive as he rushed his
great machine past the railway sta
ton. while n sat n The cab window
With apparently nothing 20 90 or
think about save his own comfort and
enjoyment And made up my mind
( that when / became Old enough.
would go into the railway shops, learn
the intricate mechanism Of the steel
horse, and some day have the delights
of speeding over hin and dale. through
great tunnels and across broad rivers.
the throbblng engine absolutely at my
command
That vas the viewpoint from the
station platform.
did not know about how many tons
OF coal had 20 be fed every hour with
unceasing regularity 10 the hungry fire
box I did not realize the privarions
and hardshlps Of the engine crew in
the cold months OF winter. There
came % me no picture Of the binding
fog. hidden from sight. perhaps. an
other headlight on the same track
knew not che word RESPONSIBILITY
One day I harmed IL
Then I had the advantage Of The
viewpoint from experience.
May suggest that 70 you, my friends
in this audience who read the Banne-
and the Star and some OF the other
excellent papers published in Florida,
are standing on the station platform.
while my brothers OF the press are
busy sh0Yeiing the coal that is pro-
viding life and motion for one Of the
greatest creations Of mani
rs Is worth while 20 be an editor 80
For an answer. cali az my Office some
day and see there desk gaily Ceco-
rated with The largest potatoes. tur-
nips. cabbages. oranges. lines and
eggs ever grown in the county.
is IL worth while 70 De an editor -
For an answer, ask Hon. ". A. Rus
sci and Hon H A B. Mckenzie, OF
PaIatka; Hon J. H Humphreys, Of
Braident0v-4: Hon z. s. Matthews. Of
Starke: Hon. A. P Jordan, Of Punta
Gorda. and incidentally Col BiJtinger
and Col. Appleyard.
rs il worth while 70 be an editor?'
After the warmhearted and cordial
reception rendered the Press Associa-
ton by the people Of OcaIa- we Of the
press can have but one answer 70 give
% such question
In devotiug a few minutes % a ser
ious consideration OF the subject as
signed ne / would say that the an
swer depends entirely on the foUnda-
ton principles, that acCuate Us in our
ealing. To De an editor Is d great
and a glorious privilege. but that great
ness and glory are dimmed unless
there IS brought 70 bear a spirit OF sin
cerity. honesty and tolerance If the
editor can De made 10 realize the truth
Eof a recent statement of John s. Nc
Lain, OF the Minneapolis Journal. that
the true relation Of the newspaper of
today To the other great forces and
influences at work for the benefit Of
society, is that Of sympathetic coop
eratiOn. then there will be attained re-
suits that will be far reaching in sow
ing successfully one OF the problems
of the present day. Sincerity and
steadfastness of purpose and determi-
nation 10 give "a square deal" 70 all in
terests. are the requisites before an
editor can conscientiousIy give an af-
firmative 70 the question propOunded.
In closing l. cannot refrain from
paying a tribute to my brothers of
the pen. The five years of my resi-
dence in Florida have seen a marked
improvement in the newspapers of the
state. II would not be fair 70 partic-
ularize where there is 50 much true
merit, but it only just TO say that the
progressive spirit is everywhere evil
dent. coupled with a lofty tone and
high ideal that cannot but make it's
impress for good.
If you ask: rs il worth while 10
be an editor?" and add 'in Florida"
venture TO say every newspaper man
in this audience will respond with a
most emphatic Yes" We have Won
derful state. with wonderful resources
Iyet TO be developed. The editors have
done heroic and useful service in ac-
comprising what We see on every side.
There lies before US an ever broaden
ing path of duty. With growth and
progress come enlarged responsibilities
To the newspapers must fall the duty
lof giving wise and conservative ad-
vice; it is the editors privilege to as
lsist in advancing those causes which
have for their object the welfare of
the whole people. The next few years
will see the working out Of a grand