THE NEWSPAPER AND ITS EDITOR. [To THE EDITOR OR THE
"SPECTATOR.") Si a,—If your able article in the Spectator of April 7th, entitled "The Newspaper and its Editor," could be read, "marked, and inwardly digested" by every stockholder of every American newspaper, the thraldom of the modern editor might be relieved. Every newspaper man in the United States must recognise the truth of your arraignment of the modern system, which has dethroned the daily journal from its authoritative forum and degraded it to the level of the dry goods store. Do you suppose that any modern American editor is inspired or guided by his own ideas and tastes? Not a bit of it. The successful newspaper man of to-day—in this country, at least—is he who for ever has his finger on the pulse of the people, and diagnosing their tastes, sometimes monstrous, sometimes diseased, ministers to them. The editor's indi- vidual taste and his own convictions only supply the leaven to the lump, and he is happy if the baking is decent and digestible. Primarily be must recognise that eight-tenths of his readers do not care for the intellectual food that he cares for. If the public taste is for shoddy, the modern editor can- not hold his job or the circulation of his paper if he persists in supplying broadcloth. If people want oleomargarine instead of butter, must the grocer, especially if he represents other people's capital, ruin his business by conscientious scruples ? The upright and faithful editor is happy if he can contrive to serve his board of directors and cater to the public without prostituting his taste or his talents.—I am, Sir, &c., R. H. HAY CHAPMAN
The "Herald," Los Angeles, California.
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