Journalism—Four Classes

     Journalism may be divided into several classes, namely four. We find:
     First—Where it is devoted to the best and highest interests of the public, with an eye single to that one end, pleading for and maintaining high standards with an influence uplifting and helpful. This is the broad comprehensive field in which the acting person is merged into the public, intending never to intrude the little self upon the public confidence.
     It is that class which commands respect and wins patronage. It is the legitimate field. Its objective is information, covering the domain of the public in furnishing the news as correctly and expeditiously as possible and keeping the people in touch with each other with such opinions, as may tend to betterment, desirability and the general advancement of public interests.
     Perhaps this may require a test of selfishness, but it is the true course and if adhered to strictly, the acting personality will not be caught in any of the pitfalls set by those unmindful of the main object in unfortunate paroxysms of selfconsciousness [sic].
     Second—It may be devoted to special, business or political interests and is legitimate when within the bounds of law and order.
     Third—This class is simply erratic, in which the unfortunate personal protrudes without an individuality that commands any particular notice or respect. It may be harmless, it certainly is useless, either to the public or the individual, though, of course, it acts as a valve for [exhaust?] purpose where personal exploitation causes smiles and spiteful jealousies find pity as well as much neededed [sic] relief.
     Fourth—This is a class that is receiving some notice today, it is conducted on principles which see only the almighty dollar. Course [sic] literature, vulgar cartoon, moral terpetude [sic], disrespect for those who desire Sabbath observance, preaching and teaching a Godless creed with practices which prove devil existence, catering to depraved tastes, breeding excitement and educating downward. Its brain service commands a price in providing catchy sayings and funny pictures, but its harvest is disorganization, dissatisfaction, disrespect for rulers, license, revolution[,] unrest, riot.
     It makes no difference whether it flies the blood flag of anarchy or the billious [sic] and gangrene emblem of yellow journalism. Upon the poisoned bullet that pierced the body of the loved and lost McKinley, will be found its cursed trade mark [sic].
     Among the stern duties of the American people today ie [sic] the crushing out of that class of jourdalism [sic] which we find under our fourth division, and which is the direct or indirect cause for the badges of mourning which today are displayed as accusers all over the land.