We hold that a newspaper should be controlled from inside—by
editing and writing proprietors if possible. It should also be run as a business concern and not as the fancy of a rich patron, or as the organ of a Party or coterie ; or again for financial reasons. But surely it may have these advantages secured to it without the readers suddenly losing what they have greatly valued and with which they have formed a virtual association. We have for several years considered how to provide a remedy, and we believe we have devised one, which if not particularly beneficent to the proprietm would at any rate secure a certain stability, and prevent the readers of a paper being handed over, gagged and bound, to a new proprietor and new editor without the opportunity of even a protest. (Our plan, however, does not involve editing by public meeting of readers.) Though we intended to Wait some time longer before proposing our scheme, the possible fate of the Nation makes it seem not merely timely, but actual. We will say no more on the subject now, but ask our readers to suspend judgment till we are able to deal with the problem in detail. When we have set forth our plan we shall hope for an expression of opinion from our readers, and for suggestions which may better ox develop the scheme.
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