The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-01-08
why Not the Editors?

Why Not the Editors?
In commenting on the movement
of the dentists of the State for a
State examining board the Parkers-
burg Dispatch-News says that about
all Of the professions of the Star.
have prepared to ask the State iegis-
lature for something or other ex-
eept the newspaper profession. This
prompts the Telegram to ask why
should not the newspaper men or
the State have State examining
board2
Bditorship is profession equally
il not more important than any of
the other professions that are recos-
nized and clothed with state author
fly. The responsibility resting upon
an editor is no less and in many in
stances greater than that which the
average professional man has to
answer for. The doctor is entrust.
ed with the physical care and treat.
ment of patient; he can eithe,
make the patient better or worse,
cure or kill him. The pharmacist
must be qualified and competent to
handle and mix.the drugs and liquids
that men. women and children take
to relieve their sufferings and pro-
mote their health. The lawyer must
possess sufficient legal knowledge
to keep the courts from being trrned
into farce comedies. And so on
down thru the entire list, these men
are held to answer to State laws for
their competence to engage in their
professions.
These men. and women, have en-.
trusted to them the physical ana
mental care and development of the
people. And so does the editor. He
looks after the mental condition of
his constituents just as carefully as
the doctor looks after the physical
condition of his patients. He tries
to make his people brighter, more
intelligent. healthier. better and con-
tinually works to the end that GOOD
may always prevail over any evil
that arises to the view as a menace
70 the intellectual and social ad-
vancement of the men. women and
children of his locality Just as sure
ly as any doctor or teacher, Why
should he not be required to give
evidence to competent authority. that
ne is qualified to properly attend to
the momentous and serious duties
of his position? What disastrous
and evil influence an ignorant, in
competent editor may have upon the
brain of his community has been
demonstrated in certain instances in
this country although the Telegram
is happy to say these instances have
been rare and far between.
Every reporter and newspaper
writer aspires some day to be an
editor. He has to go through years
OF preparation, care and training,
however, to reach this happy or un-
happy goal and this preparation is
rs general rule as stringent and
careful or more so than the prep
aration and education that are re
quired for men Of otner professions
to become enabled to practice.
A State examining sboard would
prevent the public from being in
Aicted with the dissemination OF
gross and culpable ignorance and
persuaded to do and perform those
things which they ought not to &C
thru the public press they look upon
as authentic. Usually, however. in.
competent editors do not get to hold
their jobs very long, yet there are
instances where some persons pro.
fess to know all the duties OF such
an important position and cheat q
competent man out Of a job. by agree.
ing to try to do the work at scar