The Topeka state journal., 1908-04-23

place to present 3 thought which ]
believe to be worthy of consideration.
ing more and more q business enter
prise and less and less a political or
gan. TEE advertising columns of the
Dig papers are nOnpolitical and where
the circulation is large the readers are
so divided politically that the paper is
by this very fact restrained from
aggressive partisanship; then too the
owner of big newspaper is seldom
able to do the editorial work and as
he must depend upon others to write
the editorial the paper becomes less
and less the representative of the per-
sonal opinions of any one.
Bipartisan Newspapers.
ut is much easier for a paper to
be bipartisan than non-partisan;
that is, easier to represent both sides
than to discuss public question with
out taking each side. If the pro-
prietor wanted to conduct a nom
partisan paper, and IL the readers
wanted to subscribe for q nom
partisan paper, why would not both
proprietor and reader be better
satisfied with a paper which repre-
sented the news irnpartially in its
news columns and then give to each
party representations on its editorial
page? If, for instance, big metro
politan paper wants to become in
dependent why should it not employ
ties to furnish, signed editorials on
political questions? Such a paper
would appeal to all parties and espec-
tally to those who are anxious to
know both sides of every public ques-
ton. Is it not an experiment worth
trying?
THE so-called independent paper
is very apt to become partisan just
before the election. This may suit
the proprietor if he is anxious to
make his paper a party organ. But
1t is sure to disappoint those who
differ from him and who have be-
come subscribers because Of the claim
of Independence II the proprietor
honestly desires to take his paper out
OF politics and make it purely
newspaper, the bipartisan plan en-
ables him to carry out his purpose
No paper can be entirely neutral in
a campaign and no editorial writer
can conceal his own bias when he
writes upon political subjects. If
man can write equally well on both
sides he can not write very well on
either side.
EFF. on the other hand, the editor
ials are signed by men who frankly
avow their intention of presenting
questions from party standpoint,
the reader can make allowance for
against argument. Such an editorial
policy would be entirely in harmony
with the news service which the As
sociated Press was organized to give;
and for that reason present the sug-
gestions at this banquet
Mr.. Bryan had some thing to say
also upon the tariff, and continued:
For long while was arguing tariff
reform, when I could find mighty lit
tie support among the newspaper
fraternity. I found after while that
I was too general: that to get the
newspaper men with me must be
more specific.
And so I went to my good friend
our German brother {pointing to Mr..
Ridder) and asksa1 vs1sa. could dc
to be sure of the~sapport of the news
paper fraternity in my advocacy of
tariff reform. He said: Pulp and I
took it up and for the first time in my
life I found myself on the side of the
majority. I congratulate you that
there is at least one tie that binds,
and there is at least one question
upon which we can be sympathetic
and work together; for it costs me
something as well you
Senator Knox followed Mr.. Bryan,
delivering a characteristic speech that
elected much aDD1auSe