f wrong-doing
as the man who assists in any other swindling transaction.

Another method employed to mislead the public is the publication of
editorial matter supplied by those who have an interest to serve.
This evil is even more common than secrecy as to the ownership of the
paper. In the case of the weekly papers and the smaller dailies,
the proprietor is generally known, and it is understood that the
editorial page represents his views. His standing and character give
weight to that which appears with his endorsement. A few years ago,
when the railroad rate bill was before Congress, a number of
railroads joined in an effort to create a public sentiment against
the bill. Bureaus were established for the dissemination of
literature, and a number of newspapers entered into contract to
publish as editorial matter the material furnished by these bureaus.
This can not be defended in ethics. The purchase of the editorial
columns is a crime against the public and a disgrace to journalism,
and yet we have frequent occasion to note this degradation of the
newspaper. Senator Carter, of Montana, speaking in the United States
Senate, caused to be read several printed slips which were sent out
by a bankers' association to local bankers with the request that
they be inserted in the local papers, suggestion being made that the
instructions to the local bankers be removed before they were handed
to the papers. The purpose of the bankers' association was to
stimulate opposition to the postal savings bank, a policy endorsed
affirmatively by the Republican party, and, conditionally, by the
Democratic party, the two platforms being supported at the polls by
more than ninety per cent of the voters. The bankers' association
opposed the policy, and, in sending out its literature, it was
endeavoring to conceal the source of that literature and to make it
appear that the printed matter represented the opinion of some one
in the community.

The journalist who would fully perform his duty must be not only
incorruptible, but ever alert, for those who are trying to misuse the
newspapers are able to deceive "the very elect." Whenever any movement
is on foot for the securing of legislation desired by the predatory
interests, or when restraining legislation is threatened, news bureaus
are established at Washington, and these news bureaus furnish to such
papers, as will use them, free reports, daily or weekly as the case
may be, from the national