Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1912 — A Sensible Editor. [ARTICLE]

A Sensible Editor.

George Wlaterman of Sidney, lowa, has been editor of the Sidney Herald for twenty-six years and in speaking of his twenty-six years’ experience tells more truth in a few words regarding the newspaper business than we have heard before in our whole lives. In part Mr. Wateman says: “But it has not all been sunshine and roses. We have made a few enemies along as we have made friends, and we can’t expect anything else. Many a fool editor has made the fatal mistake of trying to please everybody. Such a one has not yet been born, and his mother is dead. To publish such a paper it would be necessasry to palaver all persons and all factions, only to find that the immediate subject of the “slush” was the only party pleased while all the others entered strenuous objections. The newspaper that cares for support should stand ever ready and willing to boost any enterprise calculated to bring good to the town and community which it represents. On the other hand, should any person or anything become the object of censure—not from the editor’s viewpoint but echoing the sentiment of the populace—the facts should be published to the world without fear or favor. It is the editor’s province to laud all praiseworthy undertakings; it is his pleasure to rejoice with those whq are glad. But liker wise is his bounden duty to expose crime, denounce fraud and decry Immoralitiy.”