The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-25
NEWSPAPER MORALS.
Their Average IL Higher Than Tha, Of
the People at Large.

~o TCVpIc ~ LHBCs
To THE EDITOR OF The suN-Sfr: Mr.
Charles Edwards In a letter to THE Sun
questions the accuracy of my statement
that 1.-THE average morals of the news.
paper are higher than the morals OF the
people" We should always keep in mind
first. last and all the time that the news
paper 10 a commercial enterprise. depend
Ing for its prestige and circulation upon
the good will and confidence OF the people.
1t occupies a peculiar relation to the pub
lie owing to it's educational functions. As
Wendell Phillips said: 1T is teacher,
preacher. theatre, example and counsellor.
all In one" The newspaper IL sensitive
to merited criticism. but strong enough to
be unaffected by that which arises from
maliciousness and unfair motives.
Just criticism OF Its policies and utter
ances tends to make the newspaper main
tain as high a standard OF moras as ls
possible Its efficiency and effectiveness
involve the expenditure OF more than
ordinary brain power and talent, besides
an immense amount OF money.
As l stated in the address that Mr.. Ed
wards questions. there is an inherent feel
ing OF responsibility with nearly every
editor and almost all newspapers that
protects the innocent and speeds to punish
ment the guilty Aside from government
the newspaper stands prominently as the
most powerful institution of civilization
While It Is true that newspapers In some
instances prostitute their power debase
their energies and foster a moral de-
terioration, yet these conditions are more
than compensated for by those news
papers Of high moral calibre. the con-
structive forces Of which are uplifting and
upbuildng.
The morals OF the newspaper are judged
by its policies. It's editorial utterances. its
attitude toward public questions and the
f..t- 1t
news.
For the past ten years | have read and
studied the editorials of the leading papers
of the East. which include those OF New
York, Philadelphia. Boston and other CEN
tres l have found many upon political
subjects with which any honest man can
disagree. But I have found there daily
editorials upon reform, upon philanthropy
and general subjects. presented in way
that was an inspiration. In the news
columns. which I have read as carefully
and as stud.ously as possible. have found
facts and conditions presented that cannot
fail to leave their impression for the good
upon every intelligent person.
The context OF this news furnished the
means for Judging the great mass Of the
people Of this section OF the country. BY
the actions OF the people evils are per-
petrated. ruin wrought and injustice con-
tinued. To give these in detail would re-
quire much space. but IL is sufficient to say
that by conditions that the people allow
to exist their morals are Judged.
The government OF our cities. the action
OF our States. and the calibre of some OF
the men who govern them and the support
which is given to the laws, az well as the
nature OF the laws themselves. show the
morals OF the people Newspa pers con-
denim strong drink. yet the people declare
in favor OF Il newspapers condemn boss
,-.,1.m n,~I a.. ~
pie allow II to exist; newspapers fight for
political reforms and just laws, Yet the
people OF many places rest in lethargy.
The newspapers are aggressive for better
ment the peoples power remains latent or
in the possession of intriguers and bosses.
Under these conditions let me ask OF my
critic, rs there any doubt which has the
higher morals. the newspapers or the
people," ARTHUR l.. WARNER.
ELIZABETH. n j.. April -.