The Idaho Republican., 1913-02-14


and Friends.
The matter of publicity through
the press is entirely within the con-
troll of the newspaper man himself.
The editor whose opinions are not
measured by dollars and cents or
whose editorial columns are not
held up in the open market TO the
HIGHEST bidder enjoys the absolute
respect and confidence of the com
munity in which he operates his
nublication and in which he wields
an influence which makes itself felt
at all times and under every circum-
stance. 1t rests entirely with the
publisher himself as to what char
acter of that influence shall be.
The time was and not very long
ago when the editorial columns OF
newspaper could not be purchased at
any price and it's editor could not be
prevailed upon to surrender his
honest convictions for paltry dollars
or other consideration.,The columns
Of his paper were distinctively ami
unreservedly the property and capi'
tal of the editor. He invariably
used them to express his opinions
On matters presumed to be of public
in
fuenced by the ideas therein expires
sed because they had confidence N
the man behind the pen. They rea-
lized that the writer possessed an
independence which knew not the
temptation of money. When an evil
needed correction, he was not
afraid to demand its suppression by
those having the enforcement of the
law relative thereto in their hands,
When men, who were untitled for
such aspired to public office, he did
not hesitate to tell the truth about
them and warn the people against
supporting them in their attempt to
land in official positions. When
valuable franchises were about to be
given away by municipal authori-
ties and the people interested were
to receive no direct or positive bene-
At from the proposed transaction, the
unpurchasable publisher of the news
paper of the community was not
afraid to say so in language that was
we'll understood and appreciated, no
matter who was involved in the
transaction. When men enjoying
the trust and confidence of the peo-
pie violated that trust and confidence
he was not in the least afraid to de-
mand their punishment and see that
the dignity of the law was upheld.
Such an editor was true and fear
less champion of the peoples rights,
who stood courageously on guard at
all times against encroachnents up
on them and against abuses of pub
lie privileges. He had for his mot
to the good. old axiom, "Hew to the
line, let the chips fall where they
will" No one attempted to belittle
his influence nor was it heard said,
as is often heard to-day, "Who cares
what his sheet says, no one pays any
attention to it."
There is, in fact, no greater pro-
tector of the peoples rights than the
fearless newspaper. When such a
powerful exponent of any cause en-
trenches itself in the confidence of
the people it has greater Influence
over them than all other agencies
combined. 1t has but to speak and
direct the way and the people will
follow. How many of my auditors
publishing papers in this community
have such hold upon their consti-
tuents, enjoy such confidence and
exert such an influence? Those who
do not occupy such a position are
solely responsible for and entitled
to. the contempt in which some peo-
in every community hold the press.
Since change in the political sys-
tenn has taken place in our State and
the direct primary Is in vogue, we
hear men boasting of the fact that
jthey were elected in spite of the .ef-
forts of newspapers to defeat them.
In fact it is often heard from their
tongue that they want nothing bet
ter than the opposition of the local
press.
It may be said that there is always
interest in the newspaper that is
known to have individuality and
courage. People await the time of
ITS publication with as much inter-
est as they would manifest in the ap-
preaching date Of a feast or enter
tainment. It can readily be under
stood that such a paper is Of great
value to the business men of the
opl =, oIvo.4;o.xo o11