The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-03-28
Maxton, March IL.
The Unwritten Newspaper Law.

New Berne journal.
The Editor Simpson episode in
connection with the State Legis-
latuTe, is a matter of more than in
dividual concern, that is, simply
touching the editor OF the Raleigh
Times. The refusal to tell the source,
or give the name of an informant in
II matter OF news is q trust that only
the editor can fully apprt cate. The
physician, the priest, the lawyer,
each have condolences given them,
that are inviolable Yet not a one
OF these will have confidence more
sacred, than those given to the news
paper editor Nor will any of those
above mentioned have as many diff
ierent, or as varied condolences given
them, as are given the editor. 1t is
the unWritten, the unpublished side
Of many human lives, that are held
back. The public may read some
shocking story in the newspapers,
and the paper may be denounced for
it's publication, yet if it were not for
the self-contrOl, the conservatism,
the humanity of the editor, the rev.
Citations that might be given full
publication would ruin families,
communities and States, and wreck
the nations reputation.
1t is not that the editor cannot
err. 1t is not that mistakes will not
get into the newspaper. 1t is not
that any editor will refuse to correct
these errors. But in the matter of
personal condolences, no editor is
likely to betray one of these.
Society, generally, is at the mercy
OF the lawyer, the physician, the
priest, the editor. And yet society
goes OH committing sins, violating
laws, human and divine, trusting in
the honor of some one, or all of these
professions. Would the world be a
better one, if the men of these pro-
LESSONS held honor less sacred?
The matter in the case of Editor
Simpson, was no more important than
any newspaper editor may have
every week, or month. Holding the
Times editor as honorable, and no
one in his profession can think him
otherwise, the fact that the le9is-
lative committee makes a rumpus
over him, is proof in itself, that the
apparent wOuld-be seekers of eight
are certain that no inquisitorial
search is going to lead to il betrayal
No upright citizen of North Carolina
would have the same confidence in
its States editors. il there should
come n betrayal of trust.
Tho frnaHnD1 of 1 no rrocS 10 mot tn
be seen i'll its betrayal of condolences
1t is to be found in the right printing,
the conservatism observed by the
editors who hold their honor first.
And society finds a source of security
i'll feeling that the unwritten law of
the press Is q power to preserve it
from utter dishOnOr and demOraliza-
ton, a check against free license and
no restraint, and vet shield that
can know the limit and need of ex-
pOsure, and 90 no farther.
Improper action OF the kidneys causes
backache. lumbagO, rheumatism "Pineules
is kidney remedy that will relieve these dis
eases. Pleasant to take and guaranteed to
give satisfaction or money refunded Re
lief in every dose Sold by the Kerner-M Ne
Naic Drug Company.
Colonel Creecy, editor of the Eliza
beth City Economist, is an active
and vigorous man at the age OF
ninety four years. He attributes his
good health to the fact that he has
lived most OF his life near Dismal
swamp and has drunk much of the
juniper water of that section. 1t is
said there is no decayed vegetation
in the swamp. The action of the
water turns all dead vegetation into
peat. Juniper water from that Sec
ton OF the state used to be much
sought after for vessels going on
long voyages. 1t keeps fresh and
pure indefinitely and is said to be
very Observation-Disclosures Mes
senger