Watchman And Observer

SELECTIONS FOR NEWSPAPERS

Most people think the selection of suitable matter for a newspaper the easiest part of the business. How great an error. It is by no means the most difficult. To look over hundreds of exchange papers every week, from which to select enough for one, especially when the question is, not what shall, but what shall not be selected, is no "easy task." If every person who reads a newspaper could have edited it, we should hear less complaints. Not unfrequently is it the case, that an editor looks over all his exchange papers for something interesting, and can absolutely find nothing. Every paper is drier than a contribution box; and yet something must be had— his paper must come out with something in it, and he does the best he can. To an editor who has the least care about what he selects, the writing that he does is the easiest part of his labor.

Every subscriber thinks the paper printed for his especial benefit, and if there is nothing in it that suits him, it must be stopped; it is good for nothing. Just as many subscribers as an editor may have, so many different tastes he has to consult. One wants stories and poetry; another abhors all this. The politician wants nothing but politics. One must have something smart, another something sound. One likes anecdotes, fun, and frolic, and his next door neighbor wonders that a man of sense will put such stuff in his paper.— Something spicy comes out, and the editor is a blackguard. Next comes something argumentative, and the editor is a dull fool. And so between them all, you see, the poor fellow gets roughly handled." And yet to ninety nine out of a hundred, these things never occur. They never reflect that what does not please them, may please the next man; but they insist that if the paper does not suit them it is good for nothing.

Vermont Patriot