The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-07-18
JOURNALISTS AND NEWSPAPER
MEN


MEN.
In his speech at Yale, touching the
press, Secretary Taft gave voice to a
popular fallacy, that the influence Of
the press is waning. This fallacy is
based on the idea that today there
are not half a dozen editorial writer's
whose names are known to fame.
There are many reasons why this
personal sort of journalism should no
longer prevail. It is not sufficient to
say that the papers are not as good
as those of the olden time, for the
veriest rural sheet contains more,
better and fresher news. One reason
is that the prime function of a news
paper is to furnish the news. In the
fierce competition to excel in this de
partment, great newspapers have
called out their reserve resources to
strengthen this department, and the
tendency has so changed the nature
and policy of city dailies, that there
has been a decline of purely literary
endeavor on the editorial page, mark
ed by the ascendency of the news
paper style" in the news columns.
The news is actually written in many
great city dailies better than the ed
litorials; while they are adopting the
policy of featuring special articles of
editorial character, written by cor
respondents with rowing commits
sions.
1t is, perhaps, true that the obscur-
ing of the editorial name, has de-
prived the newspapers of that charac-
ter of following that used to take
all its views from its favorite editor,
and in so far has lessened It's infu-
ence on a clear cut, well defined num-
Der of disciples, who might be count
ed on at all times to accept its opin-
ions; but, on the other hand, the
veriest police reporter Yields more
far reaching, though subtle and un-
noticeable influence, than did any of
those great writer's.
The times have changed and the
people and newspapers with them.
The editorials Of today are devoted
much to local and municipal prob
lens Cities have increased in i'm
.portance, the individual is asserting
himself. 1t is right that newspapers
should address themselves to prob
lens, which materially and directly
affect their readers, rather than deal
with abstrusities and distractions
For instance, as long as we maintain
our institutions in the spirit of the
constitution and remain true to the
principles on which our
government was founded; 1t is of
more vital Importance to the people
OF Paducah that proper drainage for
surface accumulations be afforded
and sewer connections be made. than
that they should witness a strict or
loose construction of the constitution.
it would matter little to those Padu-
cahans who might succumb to an ep-
idemic, caused by bad drainage, |
whether or not the constitution was
construed at all.
Journalism has seen its day. This
Is the era of the newspaper. There
is little glory in the moulding of |
public opinion today, but vast deal |
Of satisfaction. Once the editorial
writer aimed at renown for the beau
ty of his diction. The editor of to-
day makes himself of mo reputa-
ton" Today the writer aims at re-
suits, and accomplishes them with
out attracting attention to himself.
The real power in the newspaper
field today is the newswriter, who is
out and sees things, and writes them
with a viyidness and knowledge that
outshines anything the old school 1
3yer did. The editor is an executive,
directing policies, and giving voice In
public affairs In a manner little
ireamed OF once.