The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-01-30
Clean Newspapers.

The Atlanta Georgian is waging war on the
publication OF what that newspaper terms
the unelean Advertisements which appear In
other newspapers IN Atlanta. With much
that the Georgian says along that line 1t has
q sympathieer In the Press and banner.
Twenty years ago, when the editor was tie
owner OF the paper be, like the Georgian, be-
came a crank on the subject of excluding ad-
vertisements OF ELL frauds. And whatever
claims an advertisement may have this edit
or has refused such as bad in them vulgar
words. or words hat we're not commonly
used by men and women In their ordinary
conversation.
But the chie' objection to advertisements
which were refused was based upon the be.
lief that they claimed 10 cure diseases which
were regarded as incurable; for instan e.: con.
sumption, brigbts disease, and fits. For a
long time this per refused ad ~vertise-
ments OF medicines which proposed 10 cure
aoy one oftbese diseases.
And in our refused advertisements were
some OF those which The Georgian glasses
among The objections able. And twenty years
ago we refused an advance of fifty cents on
our regular rates to publish one CT them-be.
log the only time that VI we're ever offered
q price beyond our regular charge.
But as we grow older light may dawn on
our minds. We may sometimes change our
opinion Oh some subjects. And we are In.
clined to believe that there is q chance for q
man 10 be a natural born fool who claims to
be consistent today with bis convictions of
twenty years ago.
Whether a newspaper should publish an
advertisement that is properly worded should
depend largely upon the editors opinion as
to Its honesty or truthfulness.
There are some good patent or pro.
prietaryil medicines. which may be better
than the medicine prescribed by q physi-
clan, but the layman assumes a great respop.
sibility when be takes such medicine. All
medicines are more or less poisonous, and
interfere with the proper discharge OF some
OF the physical duties assigned by nature.
For instance: 1t is q brave man, or one
reckless as 10 COZ sequences ,Iwho takes coueb
medicine OF any kind. Such mediciues,
while apparently doing good are generally
drying up the secretions. The collapse comes
later.
As 10 blood poisoning: II may or may not
be right TO publish such ad advertisements.
But those who are afflicted should have
kindly consideration OF all good men. They
deserve humane treatment. but they may be
too often treated otherwise In word and In
deed. Physicians may sometimes impose up.
on such men to a degree that borders on
trifling with their lievs, while making such |
exorbitant charges as 10 border on robbery. |
The excessive charges by physicians for the
treatment offs disease which has now been
nearly reduced TO a certainty. or TO a science, (
gives quacks and ha-latons the inducement
to offer their goods. Aud we would no more
charge all the makers of patent medicines
with being quscks than we would charge
extortion 10 all physicians.
To publish advertisements of Tho Sc who are
honest and faithful may be q benefaction In |
saving the money and the health Of men,.
It all depends upon the ability AID the hon
esty of such men.