The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-01-07
THE I" INTELLI-
GENT" TYPO
Much Abused Composition in the
Newspaper Office Gets Comfort"
From One of the Force.
Following Article Written by Mr.. Har-
ris and Published in "Public Pulse"
Column of World-HeraId.

| Blair, Neb., Dec. 29-TO the Editor
of the World Herald: The public has
read much and learned very little
about that species Of genus homo, the
l. Intelligent compositor," through the
medium of the old-time country press.
Usually the term is used in connec-
ton with an undeserved siam at the
mechanical end of the institution, and
the inference is indicated by the quo
tations, that the compositor shows a
lack of intelligence.
The position in which such an infer
ence places the intelligent" compos-
ltor is, at the same time, both ludi-
crous and pathetic. He is a toiler in
the lower regions Of the print shop,
and no matter what his habiliments
and manner may be, he is classed as
a. tramp by the majority. He tolls
against the most ornery CHATS a good
word used in this connection, annoy
ing and nerve destroying inconven-
fences and obstacles experienced by
any mechanic, and owing to the fact
that all the printed matter produced
by the institution passes through his
hands, he is held up before the public
as the author of all the mistakes.
Thus he earns his bread and a little
butter sometimes. He works from
dawn till dark-he's ashamed to be
seen on the streets in the light of day
after the edition has exposed his ''in-
telligence" from Monday morning till
Washington's birthday. Fancy sneak
ing out to lunch and listening to the
admiring populace cheer him along
Intelligent compositor who called
Bill Cheeley, Bill Charley" And all
the while the truth is known to him
self and co-workers that the mistake
was actually made in the upper strata
of the institution in which he is en-
ployed.
Speaking of the Intelligent COM
positor, have you ever heard Of an
intelligent" proof-reader, or an intel
ligent' editor? Here is where the in
justice comes in: The editor and proof
reader connive together when a ques-
ton of errors is under consideration
and force the compositor to take the
blame because of his class inferiority,
working a four flush on the public, so
to speak. On the whole, however, the
objection is not SO to the term as to
the almost invarible use of quotations
in connection with it. That is rubbing
it in with vengence, especially when
the apostrophe box is low anyway.
All the same, large share of the
brains of the American nation has
filtered out from the realms of the
country press composing room, and
though the remuneration is small and
the annoyance is great, once printer,
always printer. The life is trag
edy, almost, in it's fatal environment.
The writer himself has in short inter
missions during twenty seven years
term. made fair success as 2by4
merchant, created somewhat OF SEN
sation as an auctiOneer, and developed
in a short time into what was con-
sidered as a high-class real estate
salesman, and can do almost anything
else anyone else can do, and yet, at
every opportunity he is back in the
editorial desk or at the ease" and
the shooting stick and planer makes
him most enjoyable companions.
He can't get away from it. 1t is a
part Of his living, and his ultimate
end usually may be summed up in the
words of the illustrious John Fremont
Bixby, himself as an 81. c. of the old
school; 81 have nothing here, my
treasures are laid up in heaven.
Thank God | have nothing left but a
which is not very good"
l.. J. Harris.