The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1920-12-04
NEWSPAPER MEN PLAYED
STRAIGHT FOOTBALL

v oSof
publican campaign closed last month
was mapped out. Newspapers, as the
public knew, if the public stopped to
think about it, had several well-de-
fined grievances against the Wilson
administration. They do not need
rehearsing now, probably. Suffice 1t
to say that the o. n. m told the oppo-
sition to Democratic methods how the
big machine could be beaten. And
the real leaders of the Republican
organization were big enough to see
the light. Particularly, Will Hays,
national chairman. saw it.
The plan was simple. Newspaper
men and newspapers could make or
break any man in the world If they
resolved to do so and were reasonably
we'll united. What they did is now
history. The old-time politician with
his schemes, his speeches, his ward
work, and his whoop-'er-up methods
i. generally, laughed at the n~ew-fangled
politics" He knew all about what
men had to do to get elected, or what
a party had to do to elect a man.
Hadn't he been through it all, time
and again? He had.
Now the old-timer doesn't know
what's the matter with "the machine"
He was told plainly about what vas
going on. 1t was this newspaper
men were appealing to the good sense
of the people and defying all make
believe methods. Politicians believed
the people could be worked" ad in
finitum and ad nauseam. That had
been the case when newspapers kept
silent or joined the gang. Talking
sense was all right enough-in its
place-but its place was not among
scheming officehoiders. They could
hoodwink the people every time.
Even the Governor of Ohio, himself a
newspaper man, could not believe in
new methods perhaps he was not
invited to!
Even aside from the extraordinary
fact that both presidential candidates
were newspaper men. says the Editor
and Publisher, it has been the most
remarkable newspaper campaign in
history.
To a far greater extent than ever
before. the press of the country has
been the open forum for discussion
of the issues. 1t was in the news
papers that the greater part of the
battle was waged, and the newspapers
determined the result.
The famous traditional methods of
campaigning have given way to the
more effective newspaper presenta-
ton of the argument.
The great campaign speeches deliv-
cred before vast bodies Of representa-
tive citizens by scores of national
party leaders are no longer the power
they used to be. The great speech
of today is made mainly for the re-
porters, who get it before the people
in print.
The new method reached it's eli
max of effectiveness in the campaign
just closed. Governor Cox's com
plant that the opposition papers we're
not printing his speeches had par
ticular significance. Not to get into
print was to be unheard.
The crowds that a candidate may
directly face within reach of his
voice. though they may seem multi
tudes, are but infinitesimal parts of
the great masses. He must send his
message far beyond the cheering
crowd that hens him in, or he may
as well be silent.
In these days the spoken word Is
but a feeble whisper so far as true
publicity goes; it is the printed word
that thunders.
The past campaign witnessed the
tial candidates train being held up,
schedules smashed and speaking dates
cancelled that the newspaper corre-
spondents might get their messages
on the wires.
The great artery of nationwide
sacrifice Of mere speaking dates.
Fully one-half the campaign funds
spent on either side went for free
publicity. The Republicans particu-
larly had thoroughly organized for
this far in advance. Cartoons, edi-
torials and stories went out regularly
to newspapers with combined circu-
lation of $4,000. 900 a day!
The paid space taken in newspapers
by the national and state committees
was small compared with that taken
by local committee. candidates, and
independent organizations. which fol-
lowed the fast pace set them.
The glowing torchlight professions
and the great banner parades of old
campaign days are gone. together
with the fervid stump speeches.
Organization has taken the place
of old-time exclamation. The printed
word is the messenger that flies
through the newspaper direct to the
minds of the millions.
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How many Winnemucca people
stop to think that Californians travel