AN EDITOR'S MAJORITY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3046, 5 April 1917, Page 6

AN EDITOR'S MAJORITY

TRIBUTE TO MR. J. A. SPENDER.

v Mr. J. A. Spender recently completed his . twenty-first year as" editor of tie "Westminster Gazette.," With the.single exception of Mr. Le Sago v of the "Daily Telegraph," no other, editor of a London daily paper has such a record (says the' ''Manchester' Guardian"]). Mr. Spender's position,, howover, is unique, as he has from year to year written.the leader of his paper, and (with all respect to Sir Frank Carruthers Gould and other notable journalists concerned in the paper) one can truthfully say that the "Westminster Gazette is the one journal in London which sells on its leader! It is unlike all other London leaders in that it is addressed to and largely reaSTy the thoughtful section of the opposite party. Its tone is always grave, lucjd, and'very persuasive. ■ The duels between the "Morning Post" and the "Westminster Gazette,'? fought out with Mr.. Lan Colvin's lively invective and Mr! Spender's exasperating , reasonableness not _ urisalted with ■wit, have been a recurring pleasure to Fleet Street. In' the'days of the Free Trade controversy, after Mr. Chamberlain or Mr. Bonar Law had made what seemed a damaging speech, it was to the "Westminster Gazette," among the London papers, : that people turned in the morning'to get the sound and straight reply! His ■ passion for seriously facing the arguments of his opponents and'respectfully dealing with them was of high value , to.tho Liberal Party, and his part in the - conversion of London at' the: time of • the' great political landslide of 1906 must be ranked very high." There is no firiertradition in' British journalism than' that which he has so brilliantly maintained, arid' journalist's oF all hues' of opinion take' off' their "'hats to-day' to Mr; Speiidef; '. ' ■•■■''■.■ ■.-.•.