Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Je GA COC "Best College Newspaper in South Carolina" Member of South Carolina Colleg< Press Association Published Weekly by the Various Literary Societies Terms--$1.50 a Year Entered at the Columbia, South Carolina Postoffice on November 20, 1908, as SeconI Class Mail Matter NEWS STAFF W. L. T. CROCKER ................... Editor-in-Chief J. V. NIELSEN, JR..................Associate Editor W. O. VARN.......................Associate Editor H. S. KING ...........................Sports Editor MIss ORA MAE JACKSON.............Co-Ed Editor ISADORE PoLIER..................... Editoi ial Policy FEATURE WRITERS Robert Ingram, Fred Minshall. Jimmy Baldwin and 'helma Lee Horger REPORTERS W. J. Thomas, Harold Hentz. O. L. Warr, W. A. Brunson, H. S. Heyman, E. W. LeGette, Elizabeth Lindsay, Elizabeth Hardy, Catherine Phillips and Virginia Doar NEws ITus may be handed in to members of the staff, or phoned to editorial rooms at 907 South Main Street, Phone number 4109, between the hours of 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and 10 to 11 a.m. or 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. BUSINESS STAFF C. W. SCorr ..............................Alanayer J. R. PATE ...............................Assistant R. B. HILDEBRAND ........................Assistant SAM READY ............................Circulation FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1926 Exploding Hokum In another column on this page we reprint an editorial from The Blue Stocking, official organ of the student body of Presbyterian College. We have read and reread the article and have come to the conclusion that it is a typical example of the handiwork of "a discreet, costructive editor" which seems to be the editorial ideal. The con elusion is mingled with the impression that the editor of The Blue Stocking has admirably suc ceeded in saying nothing. Which, as the saying goes, calls for considerable talk. This business of freedom of the college press has unfortunately been brought before the public eye by the suspension of a number of editors. We say unfortunately because those who now con sider the matter for the first time are prone to .color all journalists with the samte brush as the gentlemnen who wvere relieved of their duties. We are not satisfied with any such general condem nation but believe that the question must be viewed up)on the p)rinciples involved. We agree with The Blue Stocking that the question demands some kind of answer--but not the pussy-footing evasion of the real point of dis cussion. A college paper is printed primarily to distribute the news of local interest and opinions of the men and women students upon questions related to the affairs of the school. Such an as sumption is no ground for the presumption that an edlitor can say what he pleases, and publish what he pleases. Not by a great deal. The content of the paper is determined by standards of truth and honesty. "News" is news whether the editor is pleased with it or not. Nor is an editor stich an imperial figure that he can fill his editorial columns with opinions that are unfair and unjustified--anid expect the reading public to be passive. However, the gentleman from Clinton is of the opinion that the alumnus of the college is the factor to be given the most consideration. He raised the objection that the publication may through indiscreet editorial policy, bring some imeasure of unpleasantness to his school, and a tinge of shame to the graduate who is telling his friends of the glorious traditions of his Alma -Mater. From this and other statements we judge the numerous celebraties who in the course of time have entered the Outside world. As examples of this class The Blue Stocking mentions "a great athlete; a discreet, constructive editor; or, one who has written his name high on the panels of scholarship." Pause for a moment and examine these speci mens offered as fit judges of editorial policies. We fail to see in the least where either the athlete or scholar is prepared by his accomplishments to set down the limits of editorial discretion. The man who won the big football game of the year is not ipso facto qualified to say what shall be brought and what left in the dark. Nor is the double-star to .en) necessarily acquainted with the underlying principle of the work on any publication. As for the discreetly conservative editor, we fear that the title of "discreet" was conferred upon him for the very reason that he had nothing to say. It is not to be judge by these remarks that the college editor should be allowed to maintain a one-man institution-which defies the opinions of his fellow men and women. It is not to imply that the man who has graduated is to be regarded as non-existent. All of the factors mentioned by the editor of The Blue Stocking must be considered but only in the proper light. At least two newspaper members of the South Carolina College Press Association have every inch of "copy" passed upon by faculty advisors. For the two of which we know, we can say that their policies are non-extant, their news articles reflect the paralyzing influence on paternalism, and they have little excuse for continuing their ex,.tence under present conditions. We would point out to the editor of The Blue Stocking the results of considering the faculty, the alumni, the student body, and every other factor except the most important: a fearless, and unbiased state ment of the facts and opinions. The Forum THE FORUM welcomes all signed communications (your name need not appear in THE GAMECOCK) expressing opinion on student affairs. A department established as a clearing house for ideas. Address your letters to the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF. THE GAMECOCK As P. C. Sees It Dismissal of editors to Two Southern college publications in the last month has raised a question among the student editors that demanded some kind of an answer. In the cases at Davidson and Baylor, the faculty stepped in and dispossessed the editors of their editorial positions. This has led to the argument as to whether the editor is an swerable to the faculty or to the student body for what he publishes. There is a good deal to be said on both sides. The college publication is edited, circulated and paid for by men attending the college. Other bod ies may be considered "outsiders." It may seeni therefore, that the editor may say what he pleases, and publish what he pleases. Maybe he can. But in naming the faculty and student body as bodies to which he is responsible, have we not omitted perhaps the most important of all? The alumnus that has received his degree and gone into the world may not have an active part in the gov ernment of the college. But consider the reaction on him, to see in print something that he knows will tend to bring reproach on the namne of his Alma Mater. He is perhaps a man that did a great deal during his college days to bring fame to the institution. Perhaps he was a great athlete; perhaps he was a discreet, constructive editor; or p)erhaps he whote his name high on the panels of scholarship. The college is his college. He has held it up to high school students, he has boasted of it to graduates of other colleges. He mnay have actually contributed to the running expenses. In our opinion, to such a man, the editor of the ,college newspaper, magazine, or annual is directly responsible. It is true that the paper is being put out by the present student body. But back of that student body stands a host of others that long ago came and went, and made their contribu tion to the traditions of the Alma M ater. Can a college boy rightly say what he pleases, and in a word or sentence bring the comdenmnation of readers upon the publication, and consequently, upon the college? There can be but one answer to the question in dispute. He cannot, of course. And if, in the opinion of readers, the articles pub lished in the above-mentioned papers were de structive in their essentials there was nothing left to be done but to show disapproval, and oust the author or editor. We maintain that a student editor is not an individual but the spokesman for a great group, both of the present, and the past, and directly responsible to the best sentiment of What Action ? Not so long ago The Gamecock published an editorial concerned with the promiscuous display of athletic letters by the students of the University. To date the sole effect of the articles seems to have been- several dozen more awards strung across manly chests. No doubt a vote of thanks is due the editor for reminding the once-famed athletes of Walla-Walla that the old "F" or"S" or any other symbol had lain unheeded in the bottom of a trunk. Sheep will follow a leader. And the first man to haul out the trophies won at other schools in augurated the fashion for some hundreds who "have entered our walls." As the days drift by a few of the less forward have joined the throng. Consequently, the block "C", representative of ac complishments here is lost in the medley of letters. We are well aware of the fact that the fate of the University does not hang upon any action con cerning athletic letters. We do not conceive of the morale of University athletes being lowered in any degree by the indiscrimate display of the alphabet-nor any "cheapening" of the garnet "C". At the same time we see no reason why the campus of the University should be the exhibition ground for trophies won on other fields. We add no honor to the men who have distinguished them selves in sports at this school by allowing the fail ures and those who didn't make a try to vie with displays of former glories. For the same purpose that we award athletic letters, we should conclude that letter won at other schools should be wori other place than on the campus. If the student body finds The Gamecock to re flect its opinion in this matter, let the student body meet and condemn the practice. There would remain no excuse for Tom, Dick, and Harry. If the student body is of a different opinion, and say so, we will hold our peace. 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