Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-10-14
WHAT OF PROHIBITION?

A newspaper is a sort of semi-public
institution. 1t is cussed, discussed,
casionally-praised. In addi-
tion to printing the news, 1t must have
opinions, and must express them, else
its readers will soon tire of 1t and will
turn their patronage to other papers
that do express opinions.
The writer has been connected with
the Observer for nineteen years. In
that time, he has learned that the peo-
pie will stand by a newspaper as long
as the newspaper stands by them. Dis
agree with its opinions and criticize. Its
policies, they often do; but they will
remain its loyal friends as long as the
editor plays fair with them. Occasion
ally a subscriber will discontinue his
patronage after reading something
that does not meet with his approval
and this he has right to do. A
newspaper cannot please everybody.
The editor attempting this feat would
soon find that he was pleasing no one
NOT even himself. AS we have said,
a man Is entirely within his rights as a
free American citizen when he dscon-
tinues his subscription to IA newspaper
that he does not want. Such severance
of business relations should cause no
i'll feeling on either side, A self-re-
spectng editor will not desire to force
his views and opinions on some one
who does not agree with them and
does not care to hear them, any more
than a self-respectlng merchant would
insist upon forcing undesirable goods
upon a customer.
For the man who orders his paper
discontinued, the editor has no ill-wln
jim fact, the matter is seldom given
second thought In the busy newspaper
counting room. One man stops his
paper; another takes his place on the
subscription list. IL Is all In the days
business, and is soon forgotten. The
poor. deluded reader who, OCCASION
ally, in a spirit OF pique. imagines that
by stopping his subscription he will
not only rid his reading-table OF an
undesirable visitor. but viii also make |
the publisher sorry. does himself en-
tirely too much honor. II the publish 1
er is of the right sort-and most pub
fishers are-he has been duly grateful 1
for the subscribers patronage; but
the subscription, itself is scarcely
missed. The subscriber who has thus
sought 20 ruthlessly deprive the pub
Usher OF his livelihood may easily as
certain the extent OF his success by
sticking his finger I'm a pail Of water
and then Withdrawing II to see how
much Of a hole he has made. Happily
for all. men who win withdraw their
patronage from a newspaper merely
because Il does not always voice their
opinions are few. The Observer has al
ways tried 10 be plaln-spoken and Il
does not recall having lost a subscriber
In this way in the last year.
A newspaper 10 establish itself upon
lasting foundation. must look to the
future as well as to the present. It
cannot afford TO lend It's Influence to
important movements other than those
having for their object the permanent
welfare Of the public: and, especially.
Il should never assist In promoting
the private interests Of even its best
friends unless Il Is clear that these
interests are in no way IN conflict with
the general good. Above an. q news
paper must be truthful We suspicion ,
that this assertion may cause a smile |
on the face Of some reader who win be /
enough 70 ask how any ,
newspaper can be truthful 30 long a. I
Il r. edited By an editor. But the fact ,
remains A newspaper. TO endure. ana I
70 enjoy any degree q the confidence Il I
% its readerA must be truthful II IL Z
the province of the editor
10 aid his readers. 10 the best of his
ability. IN sitting the true from the
false. 70 TIE end that when q conciu-
son II reached upon any Important