, 1915-10-14
The Newspaper. and its Duty.

We often hear the sweet refrain: 81 Wish 1 was Running a
Newspaper" This little remark is generally handed out to the edi-
tor, with emphasis, at a time when the person is particularly angry
at some certain person or thing. Now let us say a word to those who
would raise h and put a prop under it: "f you were running a
newspaper don't go off halfcocked, for that shows there is no safety
on your lock and your knowledge of human nature is limited"
1t seems like every day we hear some one say that they wished
they we're running a paper. They may mean some country weekly
or a city daily In either event the chances ar good that they would
be a phiful failure. They generally have in mind how they would
"mould public opinion" That is a joke, as newspapers o no one
else moulds public opinion only when the public is inclined to be
moulded.
Newspapers influence sentiment only when they have a standing
and reputation. A newspaper that jumps out and prints every thing,
irrespective of persons, morals or public respect, is a short[ived af-
fair. The newspaper that works necessarily for betterment, points
out weak points and really tries to accomplish something, is called a
conservative and lodges printing scandal and other rot, is branded a
coward" The newspaper that does print gossip and rumor is
termed a "meddler," and 30 on and so on.
We ran square into the face OF an example on our own hook a
short time ago that shows too plainly the weakness of the human,
and it's regular change of heart. Some time ago this paper took a
leading part relative to certain official matters OF the county. A
prominent "a came in one day and we talked it all over. He said:
You're wasting your time and 1 don't believe there is anything to
it." All we'll and good, We didn't get his support. The other day
we met the same man and he was shot" Certain things in county
affairs al not going to suit him at all. He "wished to God he was
running a newspaper for a few DAYS, he'd show 'em," and while he
did not roast us, he could not see why the people or newspapers toll
Grated such things. All well and good. Surprising we had went
latter" the situation as he wanted us to. What would have been the
resultP He and one or two others would have patted us on the back
and said Ego to it, we are with you" Sure they would be with us,
but they would have been about all that would, because most people
and we would have been roundly condemned for "meddling" and no
one would have been the winner, not even the men who wanted it
"gone after" There is only one time that a newspaper, corporation
or person can, or will, do anything, and that is the time when it is
ripe and the majority of the people will stay with you.
Once or twice we have accomplished some mighty big things, or
forced them to come about yet credit is never given and you don't
gain anything by it. So the next time you feel inclined to blame
some newspaper because it don't do SC and SO you better go into the
cooler for a short time-when in your cool frame of mind you still
think it ought to be done, go up to the editor or write him a letter,
sign it, and if it carries merit the chances are good that he will print
it free of charge-then when people get out and blame him for some-
thing you have done, stand up and help take the medicine.
Being an editor is no softer job than digging a ditch and often
is not SO peacable. What a newspaper does depends on the support
and backing it gets from a town or city, and too, before we forget it,
don't imagine that, Just because you Ire a subscriber you thereby
become the manager. Friends, we have no bones to pick. Not that
we hear much of that kind of dope about this paper, but because we
hear considerable about bigger papers, and generally the party max.
ing the remarks are not capable of running their own business, hence