The Yakima herald. [volume], June 06, 1889, Image 4

About The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914

Image provided by: Washington State Library; Olympia, WA

                
mm JOURNALISE
TIN CmMuUoi Rtqilnd ti ProdiM
i Dillj Impipff.
•tiaatasUsa end ■satlas-ChUfi •*
gsiaifwaw and TMr Duties—
• f«Hfkail*B» Wscaaanry.
▲ watt-organised newspaper force is
aoasthinc like an army-or lika a division
or brigade operating under independent
control of the commanding general. This
likeness la not fanciful. To bear It in
mind will prove useful to the beginner,
and this Is the reason why I wish to im
pram It a poo him.
The Individual writers who furnish the
matter eompoalag a single issue of a great
dally newspaper are like soldiers fighting
a battle, because sack la doing hia part
toward a certain result without knowing
much about what the rest are doing at
the same time. AM of them are under
ardam; but only the commander*, or
beads of the force, are aware of the de
tails, and they shape the whole result.
The writer* are unlike soldiers, however.
In that they do not enjoy the benefit of a
special period of drill before entering the
service. They have to take the field at
ones along side the veterans and get their
training (ram actual duty there,
no mmmn-cntr.
Let w examine the organization of
which the recruit becomea a member.
A newspaper is divided into two general
departments: Fuat, editorial: second,
news. The editorial department take*
precedents, because *t the head of It is
the editor-in-chief of the paper, who is the
commanding general. We may talk of
the republic of letters; and we may assert
with perfect truth that individuality of
mind is very valuable in subordinates,
when rightly controlled, and confined to
Ha appointed sphere; but a good news
paper oOce is neither a pore democracy
nor a Medal republic. It is an absolute
ilssyntlmi. Tbs editor in-chief most be
aa autocrat; and the head of every divi
sion under hhn should be an autocrat in
that particular division.
BOROBIAL WRITES*.
The editorial department has a staff of
editorial writers, who hold the highest,
or. we may say, the most distinguished
rank of all, neat to the editor. In some
newspaper offices there is a chief editorial
writer, who loads the rest sod has discre
tionary power to print, exclude or modify
editorial articles written by other mem
bers of the staff. A natural subdivision
la made samng the editorial writers, ac
cording to the special faculty developed
la each. One will write mainly on na
tional politics; another on local politics;
a third on political economy and finance;
others on fereigq affairs or on important
sociological, scientific and religions topi. a.
Thera should also be a man or two on the
staff la furnish editorial articles of a
lightsr character with a dash of humor
and satire; sod sometimes a literary dia
mond la unearthed, with scintillations
that cause hips to be know n as “the funny
asan." The funny man. of course, mam
enp out la some other department, and
hie contributions may lake a form differ
ent from the title editorial or the editorial
paragraph; but, however amusing he
Bay be, be generally has to do serious
work aa welt So arbitrary subdivision
can be made; and each editorial writer is
expected to respond to any demand upon
him, outside of hie specialty, as the need
af the day Bay require.
Betides these men there am in the edi
torial department a literary, a dramatic,
and sometimes a musical and an art edi
tor, who. in addition to their critical
work, may now and then contribute para
graphs and title articles to the editorial
pnlaaaaa Frequently the art and mortal
editors are expected to combine with
their aperial work some other regular
function; but this Is rather a cheap than
Tax wax auras xorroa.
In tbe news department we find a more
wnyto arrangement. At the bead of it
la tbe managing editor, wbo is directly
rmpiaiibfe to the edHoHa-chief. The
■aaaging editor must arrange the detail*
«f Sitting news and potting into tl>e
proper channels all news matter which
emtm in. so that b may be prepared for
publication. Be Is obliged to maintain
fHMral supervision of tbe whole paper,
excepting the editorial page, acquainting
hlmaeif with tbe steps and quantity of
telSgrapUc news, outlining the treatment
<* mmwy subjects from all parts of the
country, keeping u sharp lookout lor copy
lor tbe numerous departments, seeing
that His supplied on lime and deciding
whether it Is to go la at once or be post
poned. la this way be baa a large con
trol over the “make-up” of the paper,
frequently, aim.* he suggests subjects tor
articles of general interest or decides upon
them when contributed. The extent of
bis authority in this direction depends
ssmswfrat upon tbe dbpoaitimi of thsedi
toHn-ebist. who may prefer to have these
arnttsm submitted to himself.
m LOCAL DBF ABTMKirr.
Under the managing editor, again,
enmeo the city editor, who has complete
charge of the body of local reporters. Of
those there may ho, on n first-class daily
in n large city, from twenty to forty, or
ovon ns many as sixty. From among
them may bo drafted certain men to go
not and report events in other place*.
Bot then are also joumaliata whose work,
though Involving the faculties and duties
of n reporter's function, pieces them in a
does higher than that of most reporters.
I mean the special correspondents, who
ore sometimes evolved, by natural or ar
tiddal selection, from reporters; end. in
other Instances, may never have acted as
ordinary reporters at all. They, together
with the regular correspondents who are
nmploysd in sending dispatches and let
ters from numerous cities far and near,
■nek act ia concert with the managing
editor.
TWK SIGHT EDITOR.
Naturally, neither this officer nor the
city editor can remain at hfo post Iwth
day and night. It Is, therefore, q die
senimnn to have a night editor, who,
after the managing editor has left the
office, takes charge of the general making
op; directs on what page or in what col*
mun each article shall go, and orders
changes in the arrangement whenever
forced to do so by an emergency;
always trying to carry oat ao far as be
can the orders given him by his superior.
He must hold in his mind a complete
mental map of all the columns In the
paper, and remain on the spot until all
the “forma” hove gone to preen. When
late new* con flirts with an editorial al*
ready in type and aarimed to Its place,
the night editor ahould be empowered to
throw out the editorial. Hia labor and
reaponsibiiity are frightfully exacting and
exhausting. It need to be said that five
years was about as long as the average
pian could stand the strain on a large
New York daily. I remember the very
pathetic instance of one very efficient
night editor, who died within that term,
worn oat with the nerroua tension. He
was young, bat his hair had rapidly
tamed gray. At the moment of his death
he cried oot ( “For God’s sake, send up
that last form!”
DI TIES or CITY BMTOB.
The city editor, in the morning, makes
what interned “assignments” for the
various reporters, i. orders as to the
particular subjects they an to investigate,
or events they are to chronicle, or inter
views which they an to seek. These an
entered in a book. 11 he leaves tin olB«e.
say at 6 In the afternoon, he should first
confer with his night reporten as to their
work, and then he must delegate control
of hia department to some assistant or
subordinate, for the evening. The edi
tor-in-chief often gives a great deal of at
tention to night work. Whitelaw Reid,
even alter he had ceased staying al the
editorial offl<-e of the Tribunt in the even
ing, for a long time kept up the habit of
M)>erviaiDf important points by private
wire from his boose nntil midnight.
Where this is not done the night editor
becomes the autocrat pro tern. The edi
torial columns must be made np at night
either by some one regularly appointed
to that task or by the editorial writers in
rotation.
OTHXX DRPAXTMKNTS.
Then there is the telegraph editor who,
in some offices, is aet to watch the latest
dispatches as they arrive and write short
comments on the moat important of them.
The financial editor baa to supervise
the market reports and get in a luminous
■nd comprehensive review of them ca«h
afternoon as promptly as may be.
The sporting editor, also, has bis spec
ial duties, which are by no means easy,
in reporting, with his assistants, horse
and yacht races, bam ball, athletic games
and mate-lies, etc.
The exchange editor, who properly be
longs to the editorial department, is a
mao whose value is little understood out
side. He is obliged to read scores oi
papers every day from all parts of the
United States, and, with sharp shears
and a still sharper discerning eye, clip
out whatever may be of interest to the
several departments and the various edi
torial writers; marking and distributing
them extracts. His Is a marvelous fac
ulty; his work is most wearing and re
quires unflagging industry, with excellent
judgment.
The managing editor, besides directing
his subcomruaodera and receiving their
reports, ought to consult with the editor
ial staff frequently, and must report to
sod receive orders from the chief all
throngh the day. There should also lie
a daily council of the chief with hia edi
torial writers to determine policy and
plan the next day's campaign. Thus the
two great divisions are brought together
and act in concert.
BXTKBIBXCE AKD Qt'AUnCATIONS.
Now, ss to actual experience and qual
ifications. The beginner will probably
start as a reporter, and will often find it
disagreeable work. A college graduate
of the highest scholarship, may be sent
out to rsport fires, which, by the way—
with the confusion and excitement of the
scene, the rapid action, the difficulty of
getting the names of owners and tenants
of the burning buildings, the amounts of
loss and insurance—is one of tbe hardest
Jobe in journalism; probably, next to a
presidential nominating convention, the
most difficult. He must despise nothing,
however. He has to do whatever is laid
out for biro with all hia might, and then
be reedy to be treated with snubs or Inso
lence by a superior. Some reporters are
salaried, hut tbe beat and moat intelligent
generally do “space work,” being paid by
the piece; but mere “padding” will not
be allowed on a good paper. If will be
“edited out" by the “copy handler.”
The first rate reporter must know when
to “spread” and when to be eoedm-t.
The average reporter's salary would lie
about fI'AX) a year. “Spare work” may
bring a bright roan |75, rarely |IOU, a
week. Taking all reporters together, i;
is not probable that the average earning
a whole working life would
be more than |3u a week; and this wage
la won at an enorroona cost of physical
and mental exertion; for the txmra of
work required range from ten to eighteen
a day.
OBVKSAL VTIUTT.
It ia often difficult tor a reporter to
make his way into any r4l*r position;
but it is a imod idea for the aspiring
journalist to familiarise himself with the
: various departments and to offer editorial
and other writing, ia the hope of enlarg
ing his field. Yet be Kill have to do this
meekly and without interfering. News
paper offices are fully of jealousy ami
mutual criticism and the roung man
must trend softly and speak low. Do
m* shrink s new task or so added Iwr
den, if you can take it; for you may
learn something from it. On the other
hand, it is not desirable to he crushed
with overwork. The young journalist
has to reconcile modesty and obedience
with extreme boldness; not an easy
onion. 1 recall a journalist of consider
able note, once a managing editor, to
whom 1 applied for work. He frightened
me out of my I wots, at first, by his gruff
manner. Finally be tainted a four-line
aquib in verse, and, penetrating me with
bla eyes, sold: “2W« about the sort
of thing too can do lor os.” 1 was sur
prised, hut thought he must have gaoged
my utmost capacity. Since then I have
found that 1 could do several other kinds
of journalistic work. Still, it probably
did ma no harm to be impressed with so
moderate a view of my powers, at that
time.
OWTCCO OBDRM.
Much later on I was reporting some
meetings for a New York daily, by mail,
and had been absolutely insuacted to
keep withia certain limits which I knew
to lie too narrow. An important occa
sion came, and I sacrificed it to my posi
tive instructions. Promptly 1 received
word, “Another time throw regulation re
ports to the winds.” 1 made no reply
but seized the next opportunity for a long
verbatim report. This illustrates the ne
cessity of boldly disobeying orders on
occasion, and taking the risk; but yea
are qaite as likely to be condemned as to
be praised. The best way is for head
quarters to grant room for discretion at
Iheoutaet. Offices differ greatly es to this.
The aristocracy may be harsh and incon
sistent, or it may be bland and benevo
lent, knowing when to trust subordinates.
The details connected with other pouts
than the reporters’ are indefinite. It Is
painful to are a pale roan, under a glaring
gas jet, reading the tissue-paper copy of
telegraphic news, putting in punctuation,
crossing out words, marking paragraphs
and pasting sheets together or impaling
them upon a spindle, with an air of
fatigue as if he should die the next mo
ment. Ha is the “copy handler'’—a man
unsuspected and unknown by the outshle
public, all his life long, yet invaluable in
the oflUo. Hie and a thousand other
dreary little chores have got to be done
uncomplainingly by newspaper men
night after night, year by year. Then
there are the “heed-liues” to be written,
every word to considered with reference
to the number of letters ao as to make
the type fit the space; and so on. It is
surprising how many faculties are brought
into play. There are sundry little niches
to be filled by peculiar ability. Bmoaon
Howard, now a famous playwright, was
remarkable aa a copy-handling journalist
for his power of condensing or “boiling
down” ropy, by striking out needless
words; a power sime put to use in his
dramatic writing.
editorial warnaa.
« Writing editorial articles is an art by
itself; many authors of good novels,
essays, treatises, are unable to master it.
The “cdiuwial” must be at once timely,
brief, well-informed, clear, comprehensive
and pungent. Ou the other hand, some
of the moat skillful and forcible of editor
ial writers never can learn to do sm
other journalistic work.
A good “aH-rouud” journalist, even
among chief editors, it an extremely rare
bird. It may as well be said litre that a
man who has not intelligence and equip
ment enough to rim to the position of
editorial writer, special correspondent, or
managing editor at a large salary, or edi
tor in-chief, need not hope for large re
wards from journalism. Exceptional sal
aries in the higheat positions range from
four thousand to ten thousand dollars a
year. The tenure of the place is most un
certain. Engagements are usual# verbal
and salaries are paid weekly; with a
chance of disenarge at any moment.
No special training can bo laid one.
Thora ia no prescribed road to aon-aaa.
A« to what a jooraaliat abonld study and
know, Charles A. Dana aaid to mo, “The
lucre the better—that is tbe only rale.”
The use of miscellaneous but complete
knowledge was ahown in tbe case of John
Fonrd, who, on the death of Charles
Dickens, was able to sit down and write
in one night a whole newspaper pagn—
thousands of words—about the great nov
elist. It turned out that Mr. Foord had
delivered lectures on Dickens, and, hav
ing memorized them, be had the whole
subject at his pen’s end and bis mind’s
front.
Schools of journalism, like business
colleges, might leach students their pro
fession ; but the trouble would be In hav
ing a large staff and collecting real news.
No school should attempt to cooler a de
gree, lor this would only hamper the tyro
alien came to the test of real work. Prac
tical experience on an actual newspaper is
the only valuable •■bool.
The prime objects of a rest newspaper
are: First, to five newe, comprehens
ively* sod concisely; second, entertain
ment of the public; third, instruction,
fourth, influencing public opinion. 1
have adopted this order advisedly. All
these purposes are more or leas modified
by the desire of the management to makt
money. Ideal alms will frequently com
bat those of die counting room, and find
themselves lopped off and diminished
accordingly.
RKvtcisrrxß roa aaonwaas.
The chief requisites for beginners it
journalism may be summed up thus:
Flint—A good English education
Learn tint to write English; 1 mean
plain, straight, quick Saxon, sturdy and
lithe as a sapling. Lei yoar Latin an<
Greek adornments come in afterwards.
Study the history of the world, of the
United States sod Great Britain and Ire
land, and study everything else that yw;
cooveniently can. Drill yourself in writ
ing swift, sharp, vivid, yet graceful, ac
counts ot everything that comes under
your notice, putting it picturesquely but
never at the cost of clearness and brevity
Colleges do not tench this set.
He«t>nd—Common sense.
Third—Good judgment of the relative
importance of subjects.
Fourth—Obedience, patience, punctual
ity.
Fifth—ln apite of attaining to all these
virtues, do not be a prig. However mar),
knowledge yoar brain may hold, never do
or aay anything which wW lead the wiar
to charge yon with being touched by the
malady known aa "big bend." Conceit,
the wiae call It.
That there may be exceptions to .these
rules i» true enough. Their are good' Jou
rnalists who are not well educated, patient
or in any way humble. But Jam speak
ing of the ideal journallat. and it wlO not
do for the novice to model upon the ex*
ceptlona.
Mnjiwjinirtk
Farm Machinery, Wagons.
cd . co
yj CD
E Bf g
The Largest Assortment of Builders’ Material
in Eastern Washington, and Prices Lower
Than the Lowest.
A.. B. WEED,
Corner Ist St. * Yakima Avenue North Yakima.
“The Old Reliable.”
G. W. CARY,
U ttUl to b. loud "doU* boalBOH at the old «and,” on Yakiaia A TOO no,
wbtn will alvapa ba found a complete Mock ol
Greneral Merchandise,
£ “* o< -»"**■
Millinery Department,
Embeadwc all the latan novelltea in ladlaa’ Wear.
Yakima Ave» North Yakima, W. T.
Yakima Candy Factory.
TaaO rf and locuodm cnMonia. I baa p*.
1 Scream! Ice Cream!
-P OPE) AT ALL
M Cariio, Kit* Ihft M; liported am Me Cican
, P. J. HERK£,
1 Proprietor Yakima Candy Factory.
BARTHOLET BROS.
ilhe People’s Barber-Shop,
YAKIMA AVBMI'K. NBAS HOTEL 9TBINBB.
For Neat, Thorough Work.
The Bhop ha* bees thoroughly remodeled, and an elevent Bath Boon added to Ito complelruM<
ITJESFi -»~ si M
raani a. aaaaatew. • Jirr. a. Mceamii
StLa.rd.lo-w- 5 IvUdDarLieh
- DBA LIRA IB
Trine Whines, Liquors,
Imported A Domestic Cigars.
MSB BILLIARD ABO POOL TABLE*.
Sole Apt: for tie Celebrated Jen loon Eoitufy WUitis.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE.
DRY GOODS,
BOOTH AND SHOES,
HATS AND CAW.
FURNISHING GOODS
AND GBOOKKIK*.
O'. CT. ARMBTROISra,
Corner First street and Yakima Avenue.
A complete line of all of the commodities enumerated above will he found
at thie store, and a general request in sent forth to the public to call and exam*
ine the prices and quality of the Goods.
J. J. Armatrong,
ENGLISH SHIRE HORSE,
Hsa. else* the time •! Henry the Second, bees considered
The Best Draft Horse
THE MOZEE 00.
Hart a Macnifetat. Imports. Tboroarhbrcd CarlUh Bblre Bullion, of the Punxrt strain-
Holbeach Tom,
sstk; *« ■—•»-
Ji£%jffxs:xssr 9 .. w.
Holbeach Tom will Stan# this Season at Hozee.
TERMS:
INSURANCE, $25.00. SEASON. $20.00. SINGLE LEAP, SIO.OO.
Pasture. 91.W per month after flrjt two weeks.
Moxe© Co.
Allen & Chapman,
DETJGKBUSTa
Keep always on hand all that ia pertaining to their trade. None hot pure med
icines ana chemicals dispensed.
Prescriptions a Specialty!
Manipulated by a Competent Pharmacist.
*
Pure Wines and Liquors for Medical Use.
A Urg* U> of Paint*, OH., Wall Paper, Ola™, PuUjr, Saab Hd Doom. Com
and Mw w in ottr Cotnmodiou. and Ilnautiful Quartm.
Tie Very Finest Bulls of ley West ami liprteil Cigars.
Cotimt Yakitaa Aranne and (wound smt, .... Notth Ynkimn.
J. T. EMHIUUSr. n w BOI>MAK
Rodman & Eshelman,
Real Estate if Loan Agents!
Money to 1 jonn on Morrgnifea.
Inyestfflentslade ail Property MM forNoi-ResiM
svti'sß:
City Lots and Farm Property Bought and Sold.
am (lfllC»-con*r ratM Mu< -*mt IM ofto.lt. fine' N.tMul Iml