Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-03-15
E D 1T r I L
LOST-A GREAT EDITOR.

Beyond all question, W e think, the ArgusIeader for years has been
preeninent in the field IF journalism in South Dakota.
1t has not only bee at. the forefront with regard to events of the world,
but its editorial page has teemed with vitality and independence and fearless
ness 1t probably enjoys a much greater statewide circulation than any other
daily newspaper in the state.
But, while Mr. Days paper nay continue to lead in news service, its
editorial independence has been squdched. 1t will n o longer represent the
comprehensive ideas of the bold m fearless dtor. 1t has boone the mouth
piece OF the state administration!
Tut, now! Hold your bosses for a moment! Keep the Elm tight!
We are not impugning the motives of the editor; no ire we implying that
the editorial mind has undergone a radical change; nc that the governor of
the young state of South Dakota has turned a political summersault Moth
ing of the sort!
We are but stating what is obvious, as W e view the sitauton. We want
ut understood that We are not assuming to state proven facts. We are merely
outlining gu opinions-our own opinions.
The editor of the gusIeader-brlI fearless, able, welding a pro-
life pen-has accepted office under Governor Norbeck!
So long a Mr. Day retains the position under the state administration
which appointed him, his editorials are not apt to u counter to the political
ideas of the appointing power" The teeming vitality of the editorial page
will reflect the vital political thoughts of the Observation-Disclosures Mr.. Day
chose to do not long since when he found himself out of harmony with the
schief of the state government.
editorial drift of the paper will be toned down" or tuned up" IS the case
may be-atuned, at all events, to harmonic with the essential political views
of the state administration
Should it be otherwise, MI. Day will be called an migrate. a backbier, a
destroyer of peace within the party and he will be a bitter disappointment to
The powers that be-" He will be charged with trying to strike down the
hand that feeds him"
True, he ma not lose his vitality, o his courage, nor his aresspes
he may lot change his views. nor the general tenor Of his thoughts-but
every political editorial of significance bearing upon the state situation will
with its views.
Why do W say these things about Mr.. Day? Solely because what we
have said dovetais with political thought, generally speaking; because it but
lnuhea1es Wha Ia gone before under similar conditions and circumstances;
because the coursem marked out herein for Mr. Day, as a member of the admin
istrations corps of ofhceholders, is but that which is followed by about
ninetynine appointeess out OF each one hundred. @## e43H@r
Hence, from the viewpoint of the greatest daily in the state, its editor
should accept n o appontive omce-no position that places him under implied
obligations to any political power. If it had been "u" who had been ap-
pointed, or some other o. the smaller fry, the cas- would lot b. so bad!
M state gains Ga distncively political paper would employ the word
administration between the state" and the "gdns) the services Of a
distinguished gentleman, but it loses a large measure of the independence
of a foceful editor.
Seah!