Editorial Writer

( Originally Published 1913 )

NEWSPAPERS, other than those located in the smaller places, employ from one to several regular staff editorial writers, who give their entire time to their newspapers, and who write all of the editorial matter, except the leaders, which are usually written by the editors-in-chief. Often these assistants are responsible for the leading editorials, or for some of them.

Every day a conference is held, presided over by the editor-in-chief or managing editor. Matters of public interest are discussed, and subjects assigned to the editorial writers, most of wkom are especially proficient in some one line, although editorial writers, as a rule, are able to handle al-most any subject,, except that of the actual writing out of news ittself.

Editorial writers are paid from two to even five thousand dollars a year, the average salary being between three and four thousand dollars. They are usually men of very broad education, and even broader experience, who are in close touch with all human affairs, and are able to place their knowledge and impressions acceptably upon paper.

The large newspapers employ, besides the regular staff of editorial writers, several special editors, who, for the most part, do their work at home. They receive moderate salaries,—from five hundred to two thousand dollars, or are paid at the rate of five to twenty-five dollars per column. The editor-in-chief, or managing editor, assigns subjects for them.

These outside editorial writers are usually specialists,— experts in some particular science or art,— and their work is largely confined to their specialties. For example, the great newspaper would have on its outside staff of editorial writers a leading scientist, an eminent doctor, a prominent clergyman, a political writer of note, a historian, and others. These writers, although they work usually under instructions, are allowed at times to choose their subjects, and to send in editorials at will, which will be used, if they are acceptable to the commanding editor.

Many literary writers take up special editorial work.