Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 11: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

2 THE ARGOSY. trils. “ So far as my experience goes the best editors have begun at the bot- tom. That was the case in this estab- lishment. My own first essay was as printer's devil.” These words acted somewhat as a damper on my vaulting ambition. }iaving a knowledge of my “ Demands of Higher Journalism,” Mr. Forsythe ought to have felicitated himself on the chance of securing my services as editorial writer, but his last remarks caused an unpleasant doubt on my part. But I meant to come down grace- fully. “A preliminary training is an ad- vantage in all professions, but, Mr. Forsythe, you will admit that in some cases far less training is required than in others? ”’ ‘“T have never known an instance in which a man got too much of it. That there is an infinite variety of talent among men can no more be questioned than the infinite variety of form and feature. One fact, however, may be ac- cepted as long since demonstrated: no person has half as much ability as he believes he has.” By this time a clearly formed sus- picion had outlined itself in my mind. The managing editor of The Pioneer was having a little quiet fun at my ex- pense. He enjoyed clipping the wings of budding geniuses. “Mr. McIntyre,” said he, with more earnestness in his manner than he had yet shown, “perhaps you were sur- prised to hear me speak of your grad- uation, before you said anything about it yourself. In all large newspapers the editors learn the date of the various college commencements from the tre- mendous increase in the number of ap- plicants for situations on the paper. For assurance and the very sublimity of self conceit, give me the college man who has just graduated with honors. He conceives it to be his mission to reform the world and reconstruct the social universe, and the most grievous blow of his life comes when he learns . to the newest space reporters. that the world is not yearning for him, and refuses to take him at his own esti- mation. Now, I shouldn’t wonder 1f you delivered an essay on some sub- ject connected with the modern news- paper. Am I justified in my _ sus- picion?”’ I was a little irritated. “ My paper on the ‘Demands of Higher Journalism’ received several compliments, and The Pioneer did not deem the space wasted that was devoted to a summary of it.” “ Perhaps it was not. Now, Mr. Mc- Intyre, I have no wish to discourage the ambition you have formed to enter our field, for it 1s a broad one and there is need of all the brightness and ability that can be secured. Doubtless you believe you have talents in that direc- tion, but you are as likely to be wrong as right.” The managing editor was clipping my wings with a vengeance. I felt re- sentful, but it would not pay to show any anger. Observing my flushed face and silence, Mr. Forsythe continued, after an almost imperceptible pause: “To avoid raising any false hopes on your part, I may say that there isn’t a single vacancy on The Pioneer from the post of chief editorial writer down On the contrary, we can cut down twenty per cent of our force and be the better for it. There isn’t an editor or specialist writer on the paper who did not begin at the bottom ; we aim to train our men to their work ; the writing of a single good article or even of two or three, does not prove that the writer can keep it up or that he will be equal to the de- niands that are sure to be made upon an editor’s capacity. ‘“ Now, you came here believing you had but to make your wishes known to receive an instant proposal from us. It is possible you fancied we would set you to work as an assistant editor. Dis- miss all such ideas from your mind. You wrote a paper upon the ‘ Demands of Higher Journalism.’ (io) Cave a < eco