The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-06
Newspapers and the Campaign

This newspaper detests bigotry. Blind partisan
ship is one form of bigotry. And therein lies the
answer to a question that has been asked
sionally-why, since supporting Hoover, do
we frequently say favorable things about Smith, and
why are frequently critical of candidate?
The old-time newspaper attitude in political
paigns was one of extreme partisanship. Editorial
opinion quickly crystalzed in behalf Of one side or
the other. AS soon the campaign well under
way, the reader knew almost exactly what to expect
from the partisan newspaper.
Then came the first of the so-called independent
newspapers They were independent in choosing the
candidate and the side they would champion--but
having made this choice they still employed the same
old partisan tactics and one-sided presentation of
facts and arguments.
The reader instinctively knew that the purpose
even yet was not to offer the newspapers completely
frank and honest opinion, but instead to assist the
candidate Of the papers choice the theory that
the end justhes the means, regardless of the incon
sstences or even distortions The inevitable effect
of all this on the reader to create doubt of the
newspapers sincerity.
scripps-H Howard newspapers are not only independ-
ent and free from partisan entanglementS and obli
cations in selection of their candidates, but they
strive to be completely fair and open-minded in the
presentation of the issues and the arguments of the
campaign, and the candidates of all parties.
Now this newspaper is pretending to no simon
purity in this respect 1t is not attempting to adopt
holier- thanthou attitude toward its competition.
Because the natural newspaper instinct seems to be
toward excessive parsanShip, have been guilty of
excessive partisanship many times in the past, and
probably have not yet attained immunity from It, But
our purpose is to avoid it. When fall the failure
will be an error in technique and not of intent.
That explains why we frequently say favorable
things about Smith, and frequently crtcise own
candidate.
We believe, for example, that Smith has declared
himself more satisfactorily prohibition. And we
so have stated Despite this fact think that
Hoover brings to the job the best equipped we
ever have seen in presidential candidate. SO we
say that
We regard Hoovers Newark expression on the re-
lationShp of high wages to prosperity the most liberal
intelligent and forward looking pronouncement that
ever has fallen from the lips of Republican leader
Such being our opinion express belief but that
does not prevent us from saying that we think Hoover
should not remain silent on the power question.
There is so much bad in the best of us and so
much good in the worst of U.s. that it little behooves
any of u.s. especially newspaper editors to try through
a process of special and INSCRIPTIONS pleading to
drive our readers into believing that we consider
Hoover perfect or Smith altogether bad.
We believe that q newspapers editorial influence
is in direct ratio to the honesty and frankness with
which its opinions expressed. In short, think
that the mission of newspaper is to give light. and
that given light through newspaper information the
people will find their own way.
But we don't regard light giving" the intellec-
ual dishonesty that dstors normal thought processes
into blind parsanshp, in order to win for any can
didate or any cause.