The Illustrated American Volume 12, No. 136 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 Excerpt: ...and books is placed in charge of Financial, Sporting, Dramatic, Society or Literary Editor. It is their duty to see that all events and happenings are reported in the space allotted to their respective departments. These editors are the lieutenants of the Managing Editor. For convenience sake I will change the order and first tell of the duties of the Foreign Editor. This personage is presumed to have an intimate knowledge of foreign affairs; in fact, as a rule, he scarcely knows more of transatlantic matters than the average reader. He receives the cablegrams as they are delivered at night, and prepares them for the composing-room. This means he revises the spelling, arranges the sentences and paragraphs, and writes "the head" or head lines. His news comes from two sources, "the regular or special correspondent" and the Associated Press or News Agency. Preference is always given to the former. He carefully culls from the latter what his judgment dictates or his space allows. Sometimes there is what is called "a local end," that is, a suggestion that further information should be obtained in this country. For instance, his cablegram informs him that John Smith, the well known New York banker, fell in Paris, and was killed by a passing omnibus. The question then is, who is John Smith? He must be a somebody or the "regular correspondent" would not have mentioned him. He notifies the City Editor. Perhaps, a prince has died. The cable merely announces the fact. At once the Foreign Editor hunts up the man's pedigree and career. Once in a while the Foreign Editor is called upon to write an editorial upon European affairs, and then his trouble is fearful to contemplate, for his ignorance overpowers him. His labors begin at e...