The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-04-14

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80 ANoAhhr
gl1Ss-g..g. W S h ingtou CORE
- spondent of the New
York Herald. The sen
ior Preston died some years ago
The other day the son, I'm going over
his fathers papers, found the manu-
script Of an address on Washington
newspaper life which contained sto.
ries of men whose names were known
by the nation and which still are
known.
The address Of Correspondent Pres.
ton OF which the manuscript was found
was delivered to students OF the
Georgetown university and in general
It's subject may be put down as eXpe.
riences in the life of a Washington
correspondent Some of the things
which Mr., Preston said concerning
newspaper work have their application
as sharp today as they did in the elder
day Here are some extracts from his
address and some stories with them
which make their own points felt and
make salient their lessons to newspa-
per men and to others Of today:
In 1872 a reporter writes this.
Hamilton Fish, secretary of state, re.
turned to the city yesterday. The
city editor tells him to put cap head
on all his matter. But this only
makes a line. Never mind, put a head
on 1t. The reporter did So 1t read,
A distinguished visitor
II do not suppose that three words
ever caused an entire administration
with General Grant at its head, to tear
its hair and swear as those words did.
Was it malicious? The secretary said
IL was and it cost the man his place
The president and the cabinet all sum
mer that year remained away from
Washington except the secretary of
state. He kept at his desk and only
absented himself two weeks. To be
gaZetted as a distinguished visitor
was enough to cause him anger, espe-
c.al'y in the s0-ealled organ Of the ad-
ministration He saw the force of the
satire In the heading and the reporter
made him an enemy for life.
1T is said by some papers that are
independent, and therefore not bound
by party ties, chat they are fearless
champions Of the peoples rights. Per
haps they were at one time, and have
come under the yoke Of the fear of |
losing patronage and influence in their |
latter days The late Jere Black told |
me story how when he was secre. |
tary Of state at the close Of James |
Buchanan's administration he met the |
elder Bennett, founder of the Herald, !
in President Buchanan's library one
evening. The growth of the paper, its
great popularity and its extended cir.
Culatton, were the subjects of conver.
&atiOl. Mr. Bennett accounted for all
this by saying it was the peoples pa
per and the p0pulaCe in turn showed
its appreciation by advertising in and
it. 1t was, | think, the
hrst Of this class of journals, and nat
urally SO stern and firm a Democrat
as Mr.. Black was, lie looked with dis
favor on any innovation that threat
encd the peace and perpetuity of his
party.
arose, said Mr. Black and with
all the vehemence Of my nature de.
nounced such journalism. saw the
president was little annoyed, but
The occasion and proyocation were too
great for me to keep still. To my
surprise the owner Of the paper did
lOt appear to notice what ! had said.
This irritated me and as ! had gone
hat far / was determined to saw all !
hat | thought Of this mountebank in
modern Journalism. continued, Mr.. I
President ! cannot find words sufTi-
iently strong to express my supreme I
contempt for man whG calls such I
ind of Journalism popular. Why sir, I
on that day Of days when that most c
lomentOus trial the world has ever 7
nown took place before Pontius Pi. c
ate, and the sentence Of death was c
rOnounced on the SoL Of God, if the t
Ierad Lad been printed in Jerusalem. f
would have been on the side of the fl
eople, of the rabble, and doubtless it t.
'ould have appeared in extra form, e
18th blacklist type, and biggest letters {
eDeating the words of its popular sup a