Arizona republican., 1913-01-05
The Newspaper Job

The following letter written by Charles IT. Grasty, editor of the Baltimore Sun, James NJ. Thomson proprietor of the New Orleans Item, gives the attitude of brilliant newspaper editor toward the suggestion that he accept political office.
 BALTIMORE, Nov. g. My dear Mir Thomson:
 Your letter November 6 is at hand I thank you heartily. It is pleasing think that a man whose newspaper friendship dates nearly twenty years-to your student days in the Johns Hopkins unIVerslty-and who has done the honor to set me up in his newspaper shop as something of an exempar, should give this latest testimony of his regard
 I have had the like suggestions from various quarters. If you will permit me I will make your kind letter the text for remarks the reasons upon which all newspaper advocacy should rest and upon the pride, rewards and duties of editorship.
 do not think there is any office that you or I, any other earnest and intelligent editor can afford to accept.
 This is particularly and pre-eminently true in a case where editor has been useful to a cause and his acceptance of office would put him and his paper in the position of making did swap of his support in return for office
 But aside from that consideration. office means nothing to There is thing in Maryland better worth doing than any other thing That thing is the plotting of Maryands greatest news paper-the Sun
 So much for that phase the matter
 Now as to my reasons for supporting Wilson. If l sought any share in the distribution of pat ronage as such or for any other reason than promote the well being of the Wilson administration by promoting the interests of the public service I would be committing act of disngenuousness The Sun began it's support of Woodrow Wilson in March, 1910. It gave this support in the efficient way it knew how mp to the time of his nomination and election But of this did we do for Woodrow Wilson man, or Woodrow Will son the friend. We thought that Wilson would be the best nominee to elect and the president after he elected. Mir. Wilson is threfore under obligation whatever to the Sun or to me. Our purpose was entirely selfish one confess The only reward for a newspaper that is substantial and enduring is public confidence To say that the big item the credit of our baanace sheet is good will is but to state trusm Public confidence is gained by rendering public service, otherwise
 We have already had every reward which We are entitled up to date for support 0 MT Wilson. He won the nomination brilliantly and spendidly He came out of that fight without a spot on his armor. He made a magnificent paign His victory glorious The Sun shares in the public confidence that he has thus earned
 We look for a still bigger reward that will further increase the public good will toward the Sun That reward will come from President Will sons glVng the whole people fine administration.
 am simply stating what you well know for We have talked it all time again. You and l enjoy the privilege of doing a work in which the less bother about direct. personal and material results, the will be the Our usefulness will by leaps and bounds. readers will flock to our papers, merchants will seek our advertising columns in order a share in and put to commercial the confidence inspired by dealing squarely with the public
 And so in the court of public opinion we shal seek our ambassadorships, you and I! President Wilson can get plenty of who could perform the duties of the ambassadOrships well enough, but don't know where New Orleans could look for another Thomson to lead the great fights in the Item for civic righteousness But I thank you with all my heart for a suggestion which has proceeded from an old personal good will very dear to
 Sincerely yours,
 CHARLES II. GRAsTY