SHAM JOURNALISM.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1150, 13 February 1874, Page 4

SHAM JOURNALISM.

[westport evening star.]

Waiting with patient but wondering curiosity for the startling results proclaimed as certain to follow the advent of an "opposition" paper in Westport, seeking diligently in the Buller News for the slightest evidence of fulfilment, the conclusion forces itself that the " News " is a journalistic sham. A thing begotten of envy, malice, and ungovernable spleen. Alike useless to the public, and a disgrace to its promoters. In one sense the results certainly are startling. The conductors, we beg pardon, the conductor, the universal agitator of the Buller News, is trying hard to prove that a considerable section of this community require and approve of a paper devoted principally to scurrility and impertinences. This may be a fact, but we doubt if Westport society has fallen so low as to approve of, or sanction, Holywell street literature. Even the small and dwindling faction stiil professing faith iu their Chief show that they are getting ashamed of the equivocal position he has dragged them into. To this extent the News has already gained an unenviable notoriety, but it certainly has not in the remotest degree yet given evidence of capability or intent to do what its supporters at first loudly declared it would do, namely, give fuller expression to public opinion and afford a medium for discussion and debate on both sides of every question affecting the public interest. Neither in its leading columns or in the space devoted to the utterance of correspondents has any sign been made in that direction. It has not attempted to show that the old established paper of the town and district has been guilty of any dereliction of duty, or that it has left a single stone unturned or path untrodden in journalistic duty, as affecting either local matters or those of more general import. In this the Buller News has failed, and worse, has drifted into a Hue of debased journalism, insulting to an intelligent community. Starting into existence as an electioneering sheet, and hence, while the .election lasted, having the wide latitude of expression generally accorded to a party press, the News during the electioneering conflict, possibly fulfilled its mission, and the election disposed of, all acerbity of feeling should have been permitted to die away. Only one side could possibly win, and the vanquished, if wise, should have submitted quietly to defeat. The promoters of the Buller News in deciding to prolong the existence of their literary bantling have forgotten, or if not forgetting have disregarded the fact that in prolonging the fight against individuals and still stirring up animosities, they are disgracing themselves. To this issue their misguided efforts are now tending. The conductor of the Buller News is making that paper a vehicle of abuse against the proprietors of the Westport Times, because that journal successfully opposed his pretentions to the office of Chief Magistrate of the

Province. He serves no other purpose, and expresses no other opinions, except so far that, ever and anon, he " slinks ink " at others who may have dared to come between the wind and his nobility, and will not stoop to do him reverence. We cannot suppose that the private affairs or business transactions of Messrs Eeid & Co., as newspaper proprietors, are of any interest to the public, although the conductor of the Buller News presumes to make them a theme of constant reference. At all evetats we shall not be guilty of a like impertinence to our readers in raking up his doubtful antecedents, or commenting on his present social and commercial status. The firm of Eeid & Co. may, without egotism, claim to be of honorable repute, and the yelpings and snarls of the Buller News will not injure that reputation, except so far that slander, vilification, and falsehood may, for a time, create an evil impression among the unthinking. Much as the Buller News conductor may desire to engage iii vulvar personalities, as the one thing wherein he is alone proficient, we shall not stoop to thus wrangle,even though the e may be, as he assumes, a section of this community desiring no higher intellectual sport than watching and encouraging such unseemly contention. Let the Buller News adopt a fair, honest, and intelligent line of action. If it can find any one subject whereon we are at variance with public opinion, let it take up the cudgels and fulfil its assumed mission. It may then do the state some service. At present it is but a journalistic sham, giving utterance to the malevolence of a village Marplot, delighting in evil. Imitation is held as being the most sincere form of flattery. The proprietors of the " News " have vouchsafed us the compliment of following in the wake of the Evening Star in the matter of publication, let them now consider whether honorable emulation in public usefulness will not redound more to their own credit than the present abusive tactics of their " News " conductor.