A NEWSPAPER EXPERIMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 96, 9 May 1900, Page 3

A NEWSPAPER EXPERIMENT.

Some time since it was announced that opportunity was to be given to the Rev. Charles Sheldon, author of " What I Would Jesus Do," to run a newspaper, for one week, on his own lines. By the last American mail we learn that the experiment was made with the Topeka Daily Capital, and proved successful, but it is claimed that a week was not a fair trial. Here are a few of the features of the paper during its week of Sheldonism. The Capital's news was confined to anything in the way of current events that the public ought to know for its moral and spiritual development. The paper tried to be absolutely non-partisan, and partisan political news was given scant notice. All editorial and important local matter was signed by the writers. There was no Sunday paper, but a Saturday evening paper, intended for Sunday reading. Reports of a temperance revival and anti-cigarette meeting had prominence. Murder reports contained a bare statement of the facts. No theatrical notices were inserted. One page was given to telegraphic news in place of three. The market reports were cut down, and no dealing in futures referred to. The censorship on the advertisement columns was very' rigorous. No retail advertisements from out-of-town tradesmen were ac-

cepted, Mr. Sheldon holding it would be unfair to home merchants. The 20iol. suit of clothes for Hdol. 75 cents style of advertising was barred. AH the railroad advertisements were refused, because the railways work on Sundays, and Mr. Sheldon, as a Sxiilist, believes the railroads should not be advertised any more than public highways should,