Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1924-07-10
French Tells Rower of Press and Value Of I1igh1ooq1

world. More than that, fifty years
ago there were few papers anywhere
in the United States that could claim
a circulation of so much as fifty
thousand. Most of the great papers
at the time of the presidential contest
of Hays and Tilden, had a circula-
ton of less than twenty-five thousand.
In the olden days the work of the
editor had not become so much of
profession as it is today. Then there
less than the latest news; the news
of the Republican or Democratic
National convention, news of the
disaster that occurred to a ship of the
navy, news of the earthquake in
Japan, news of a political upheaval
in some country of Europe.
NEWSPAPERS AND GOVERNMENT
In a country where the response
bility of government is vested in the
people themselves nothing could be
more natural than that the editors of
the country would assume the respon-
sibility of keeping the people advised
of the activities of officers charged
with responsibility, executive, judici- |
al, legislative. SO then it comes about
the press of the country maintains q
large staff of correspondents in the !
Nations Capital. Some of these cor
respondents are detailed to the White /
House, some are detailed to the SEN
ate, some to the House of Represent
atives, others are charged with gen.
eral responsibility. 1t has come to be
the consistent policy of the President
nj a IN or-f I
hour each day when the newspaper
men of the country are invited to the
white house offices and there receive
from the president statement touch
ing his work, touching his activities,
touching his plans and his policies
The president invites the asking of
questions and he. answers with much
frankness and with the consistent
knowledge that his frankness will not ,
be abused. Oftentimes the president ,
makes statement indicating what it
is possible to expect but lets his hear ,
ers understand that the item is not !
for news but rather in the nature of ,
a tip as to what they may look for. I
On the floor of the house and of the y
senate are the representatives of the +
great news gathering organizations +
)f the United States, and in a gallery
provided for them, are the
of the individual news
papers that prefer to use more news 1
han that which can be furnished by
Associate Press or other agencies do /
ng similar service A splendid body
If men are these. Some of them have
'ome to this responsibility from edi- o
orial chairs; Some of them after I
heir service in the nations capitol G
will assume editorial chairs else j
where. b
PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION
1t is the duty of the editor not only ~
o gather and disseminate informa- q,
lon, but it is the duty of the editor D
shape and mold public opinion. n
lot long ago l read statement by nj
ne late editor of the Outlook, DR.. In
lyman Abbott, in which he said that a,
e had not undertaken to lead but IN
ather to interpret public opinion. I
not think that Lyman Abbott cor
'ctly interpreted his own life. 1 al
avs regarded DR.. Abbott as one who
81 public opinion, who shaped and ~
olded thought, and 1 am inclined d.
think that his greatness will rest tol
ION his work as leader and not ND ri
MS work as an interpreter of the
ought of the age in which ba Ero,l