Printing the News

We often hear some thoughtless fellow say, “If I was running a paper, I would print the NEWS. I don’t care who it might hit. If they don’t want to get into the paper, let them keep out of trouble.”

We remember one particular instance in which a similar remark was made. We had, through the pleadings of an old mother and a tearful sister, “killed” a good story concerning the escapade of a rather worthless young fellow. But to his mother and sister he was not worthless, and they prevailed upon us not to print the item which would disgrace them forever.

And so we did not print it.

So we were accused of cowardice by this certain critic and were told that we did not know how to run a paper.

In vain we tried to explain that many things besides our own personal likes and dislikes entered into our weekly labor. It was no use, he said, we should print the news.

Six months later the same man came sneaking up to our house in the dead of night to plead and beg with us not to print a much worse story in which he himself was mixed up. We had the story but had no intention of printing it, for it was one of those things that it is best for all concerned and for the public to suppress. But our critic had heard that we knew the details and, with the unfairness that characterized his first utterance, at once jumped to the conclusion that we would chortle with joy over a chance to flaunt such a choice bit of gossip in the faces of our readers. Remembering his attitude on the other occasion we let him squirm a bit.

We reminded him of his former statement and intimated that he had at that time opened our eyes. “We would publish the news. If anyone did not want to get into the paper, let them keep out of trouble.”

He remembered.

He admitted that he had so expressed himself.

But he was wrong, he said.

And this case was different.

Moreover, he was a prominent man — and married — and he had a family — and all of the same stuff that every editor hears when someone gets into trouble.

Well, the story was not printed. It never would have been. But we feel sure that our critic believes it that the only thing that kept it out was his “prominence” and “influence.”

No, dear friend, about the only element that was totally ignored in coming to our decision was YOU, yourself.

Notice:

My wife, Loretta D. Crounse, having left my home without just cause or provocation, I hereby notify all persons who may give her credit that I will not be responsible for any bills contracted by her. — Schuyler Crounse