Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-21
SAYS NEWSPAPERS FALL
IN WITH CORRUPT AGE
Times Dispatch Writer Condemns
Management Of All New pubIlea-
tions as Beaears at the Door OF
Patronage and Points Out What
Should be Real Duty.

NEW HAVEN. CONS. April 20.--
Major J. &. Hemphill. editor of the
Richmond Timcs-Dispatch, made
plea for cleaner journalism
and cleaner newspapers In an
address at Yale University
tonight. He was delivering the
hrst lecture under the Bromley Foun-
dation, provided Tor by Mrs. Adelaide
r. Bromley In memory OF her hus-
band. Isaac M. Bromley, Yale '5S. The
subject of his lecture was The Pub
lie and the Press
The press, In these abundant
times. said Major Hemphill. speak
ing generally, Is In the business FOR
the money there IL In IL. The most
potent force In shaping and directing
the thought and sentiment of the
country, is yet a beggar at the door
of patronage. Little or no indie
pendence is actually possessed by
the Journalists who preach indepef-
dence, II must be said, however, to
the credit OF discredit, a. you please,
of the public, that 1t reflects largely
the character OF the newspapers by
which IL is served
Should Elevate.
THE yellow streak runs not less
through the press than through the
people. The shame OF the press Ia
that IL has catered to the worst ten
denotes OF a corrupt and malicious
age. It's mission ought TO be the ele-
walton OF the public; instead. Ii adj
yertlscs its DEGRADATION; fairly Shrek
ing against any restrictions upon its
liberty; it converts It's liberty into
license.
Broadly speaking. the most sensa-
iional and irresponsible newspapers
make the most money, IL has been
noted for years In the gradual degra-
dation of the American press 10 the
American level. Some OF the cleanest
and most self-respecting newspapers
are published in New England; but
even here the tendency towards 4
lower conception OF journalism can
not have escapd the observation OF
those who are interested In the de-
vlopmnt of our civilization.
Not Any Perfect.
The ideal newspaper does not ex-
let; it is doubtful that IL will ever.
the newspapers of today, like the
cnurcnes, represent this or that view
OF political questions; this or that
industry or individual, or section;
they possess the enthusiasms of adj
vocates. they lack the wisdom OF the
Judge.
There is no profession so exacting,
none requiring so extensive and a.
curate knowledge of history and phiio-
sophy and political economy, none
calling for SO great patience OF oppo-
sition. such clearness and f;rmness Of
Judgment such oDurage of conviction,
and such careful regard for the rights
Of others. That Is why, in my opin-
ion. the newspaper should be. Ia fact,
the judge and jury and not the swift
witness or the paid counsellor Ia the
case on trial. before the people.
Always Biased
There Is not an old man or q
young man in this audience who has
ever known the issues involved In
political campaign to have been fair
ly presented by the opposition press
That newspaper is unworthy, which.
for personal profit OF political gain
Tor itself or its party. misrepresents
the position of a profession OF politi-
cal rival; that follows any particular
course because II is popular; that
Joins in the defamation of any man
because there Is something to be
made out OF IL, either in the way OF
Increased circulation or adventit0us
importance.
What both newspaper makers and
Newspaper readers most need. II they
Would reach, the best settlement Of
the QUESTION in which they are inter
ested. is not party support or section
al fervor. but broad tolerance OF 0pin-