The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-06-15
1T MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHO IS
IN THE LIMELIGHT.

IN THE LIMELIGHT.
We suppose every editor often hears
some thougntless individual say: "If !
was running a paper, would print
the NEWS. l wouldn't care who it
might hit. If people don't want to
get into the paper, let them keep out
of trouble"
I'VE remember one particular in
stance in which a similar remark was
made.
We had, through the pleadings of
an aged mother and fearful sister,
killed a good story concerning the
escapade of a rather worthless young
fellow. But to that mother and sister
Ie was not worthless, and they pre-
vailed upon US not to print the item
which would disgrace them in the
community forever.
And we did not print it.
So we were accused Of cowardice
by certain critic, and were told that
we did not know how to run paper.
In vain we tried to explain tnat
many things besides our own personal
likes and dislikes enter into our week
ly labor. It was no use; he said we
should print the news.
Several months later this same man
came sneaking up to our home in the
dead of night to plead and beg US not
to publish much worse story in
which he himself was mixed up.
We had the story, but had no in
tention of printing it, for it was one
of those things that it is best for all
concerned, and for society, to sup
press. And right here We want to
say that, if everyone knew how much
the editor Of a weekly paper learns
and does NOT print, he would be
Shopght great deal more OF than
he is, in most cases.
But our critic had heard that we
knew the details of this story about
himself, and, with the same unfairness
that characterized his first utter
ance, he at once jumped to the con-
clusion that We would chortle with
joy ove.- chance to haunt such a
choice bit of gossip in the faces of our
readers.
Remembering his attitude on the
other occasion, welet him squirm bit.
We reminded MIN of his former state
ment, and intimated that he had at
that time. opened our eyes. Eve would
publish the NEWS. If anyone did
not want to get into the paper, let
him keep out of trouble"
He remembered. He admitted that
he lad so expressed himself. But he
was wrong, he said. And this case
was different, anyway. Moreover, he
was prominent man-and married.
and he had a family-and all that sort
of stuff that every editor hears when
some one gets into trouble.
Well, the story was not printed. 1t
never would have been. But We feel
sure that our critic believes that the
only thing that kept it out was his
prominence and influence"
No, dear friend; about the only ele-
ment that was totally ignored in COM
ing to our decision was you yourself.
Darlington News and Press.
All of which is very true. The great
trouble with the editor is what not
to print, And many times we have
to print items which are real news
which personally we would much pre-
fer not to print The truth is that it is
never pleasant to US to print news of
crime and wrong doing whether We
know the parties charged or not and
when We do we prefer not to print
it, even when the facts seem to
point strongly to the guilt of the ac-
cused, because we know somewhere
there is a mother or a wife or a
daughter who 1ave faith in the inno-
cence of their loved one apd WHO
think that a great injury is being dole
by the editor in printing the news. But
there are some stories and many things
that the editor knows which he does
not print. There may be some to ac-
cuse him OF cowardice but they are
not many.
Trne nYnerienca Of t(to n6itor nf the