The Truce of the Editors
Chehalis County journalists gather to form an association and pledge an end to local mudslinging.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The meeting of the editors of Chehalis county at Westport last week was a great success. Permanent organization was effected by electing the following officers: President, J. W. Divilbiss; Vice-President, C. J. Coghlan; Secretary, O. M. Moore; Treasurer, W. E. Thompson. It is believed that as a result of this meeting and the foundation of this organization, some practical results will be obtained. A better understanding between the editors themselves no doubt exists, and while no one need expect that every editor considers his contemporary an angel, it will probably be at least a week or more before one says anything really mean about another. One thing may, however, be expected, and we believe the people of the entire county will rejoice over it; in the future nothing disparaging of any town or community will be found in the columns of the county press.
“While no one need expect that every editor considers his contemporary an angel, it will probably be at least a week or more before one says anything really mean about another.”
Local news media in the 1890s were notoriously vicious, often acting as partisan attack dogs for rival town-site promoters. This 'truce' was a rare attempt at professional unity, echoing modern discussions about the role of local journalism in fostering civic health versus toxicity.
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