Before the internet, algorithms, bots, moderators and so on, content moderation was the domain of the Editor of one’s paper of choice. This individual dealt with the epistles of would-be poets, seekers of ‘justice,’ scandalmongers, and the political fixations of sundry other Gentlemen with Views.
Their published interactions with their correspondents ranged from helpful advice, literary criticism, patient suggestions, playfulness, and some frankly sick burns.
Literary Aspirations.
A truly astonishing number of ordinary colonists fancied that they had a way with a rhyme. It seems that they most certainly had nothing of the sort. Whatever these would-be laureates conjured must have been abysmal, particularly in the light of the works that actually made it into print:
T.A., Brisbane, published in the Moreton Bay Courier, December 1846.
While the Courier was happy to publish T.A.’s ode to his tinkling herbaceous parasite, it was not prepared to entertain lesser works:
“A Peasant.” Inadmissible in its present imperfect form; but there are good thoughts in the verses, and you might reach improve your style by cultivation. Rhythm, however, that is a harmonious proportion of numbers, is indispensable to metrical poetry, and here the lines are very deficient.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1851.
The author of “Lines on a Pack of Cards” has clearly mistaken his vocation. So many people have lately been making themselves ridiculous in doggerel rhyme that much might be excused; but our friend and his ”Tom Brown” could not be countenanced by “Gods, men, or columns.”
Moreton Bay Courier, 1854
Yanedilla. The lines are unsuitable for our columns. Poeta nascitur non fit[i].
Darling Downs Gazette, 1859
Paul Pry. Your very questionable poetry is inadmissible. We cannot undertake to return rejected communications.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1860
I think that the following constitutes a threat, rather than a promise…
We have before us two specimens of poetry from two separate gentlemen to each of whom we make the promise that in case of receiving another similar infliction, we will publish it with the name of the author.
The North Australian, 1861
“Your communication was published, shorn of its abuse.”
Gentlemen with Views tended to clash with others in public life, and as a result, the Editors of the various local newspapers spent an inordinate amount of time pointing out why attacks on others’ characters would not be published.
“No slave to Government.” Whatever may be the course we think proper to pursue with regard to the government of this colony, we certainly do not intend to make our columns the vehicle for meaningless abuse and absurd declamation; and we therefore refuse positively to insert the letter left at our office yesterday under the above signature, alone published as an advertisement, with the real name of the author attached.
Courier, 1861.
“Anti-Little Pedlington.” We can see no public good to be accomplished by the publication of this communication, and we cannot make our journal the vehicle for the gratification of private spleen.
North Australian, 1861
In the late 1850s, a group of rogue letter-writers with florid pennames engaged in a war of attrition across the pages of several local prints. Junius, Scribble-cum-dash, Justitia, Looker-on and Stylus fought amongst themselves, and Dr Cumming fought with everyone else, it seemed. Their letters became so vitriolic that some resorted to purchasing advertising space in order to avoid editorial censure. Some were so libelous that even this resort was denied them.
The long letter of accusation from a stranger against a known person, and signed “D. Gillespie,” can only be inserted as an advertisement.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1854
THE letter signed Scribble cum Dash, in reply to Looker-On, is far too personal for our columns. The communication has too many adjectives in it; and insinuates too much against Looker-On. A joke we love, but we will never permit persons, under assumed names, to do “The Billingsgate” with the pretence of pietistic moral horror at the state of another correspondent.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1858
We have received several communications criticising Stylus, all of which we have placed carefully away as the property of the contributors. The productions are all in verse and would no doubt create quite a sensation if published. We cannot see any benefit to be derived by the reading public, in lending our aid to carry on a rude personal war.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1858
Quid Pro Quo – Too scurrilous even for an advertisement.
Moreton Bay Courier,1859
Steering deftly around libel laws, but just as spiteful, were the stoushes between competing newspapers. The former editor of the Moreton Bay Courier, A.S. Lyon, had gone on to establish several rival prints – the Moreton Bay Free Press and later the North Australian. The sniping that went on between Mr Lyons and his successors put Stylus and his enemies in the shade.
Parson Snob – With regard to the production you allude to, it has not passed unnoticed; but it is really so contemptible and pointless, that we do not deem it necessary to refute the falsehoods therein contained, or to reply to the aimless attacks on respectable individuals, which, while they express the animus both of the writer, and of the party who allowed them to be printed, carry with them their own refutation. The journal in which that morceau[i] appeared is becoming more degraded every week. and will soon be numbered among the “has beens,” unless the management of it is placed in more competent hands.
The North Australian, pretending not to respond to the Moreton Bay Courier, 1856.
J. B. – Yes, we know perfectly well to what distant allusion is made; of course, in prophesying that we shall soon be numbered with the “has been,” “the wish is father to the thought.” For your information, we may state, that we intend to exercise a good deal of forbearance towards the author of the “morceau” We do not like the idea of “wrestling with a sweep” – except in case of necessity – as it is a dirty job; up or down you get besmeared. It is very loathsome too to come in too close proximity to some animals indigenous to these parts; they emit such a rancid odour that it is impossible for any person possessing the power of their olfactories to approach them.
[i] A short literary or musical piece, or a fragment.
The Moreton Bay Courier, pretending not to respond to the North Australian, 1856.
A small selection of random Editorial burns.
An anonymous correspondent seeks of us the meaning of the term “Snob.” The best definition we can give is that the cant expression alluded to signifies an individual who sends letters to newspapers, without signature, and without paying the postage.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1849
Zumologist. We must decline your second letter, for reasons which you will appreciate, and which are evidenced in our commentary on your first letter. You have been too long looking through the wrong end of your telescope. Try the other.
North Australian, 1860
“Lex” and “ No Lick-Plate.” We would willingly insert your letters, were it not that they each infringe a “press regulation,” which forbids the elevation into notoriety of insignificant nonentities.
Courier, 1861.
William Jubb. If you will be kind enough to forward your advertisement in more decipherable hieroglyphics, we shall feel obliged.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1860
Other advice to correspondents.
A writer could ask a question of the Editor, but whether he or she got a serious answer depended on the mood of the recipient.
Wag. A correspondent modestly requests information respecting the best mode of obtaining a berth in some Government office, where he would have nothing to do, but where he will be entitled to receive a good round sum in the shape of salary. We have consulted a friend on the subject of his communication, and we both advise him to apply for a situation either in the Brisbane Customs or Police. Should he be successful his object will have been attained.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1847
Drayton asks, “Can Drayton be proclaimed a place for the sale of spirits in quantities not less than two gallons, before the town allotments are sold?”—The proclamation of Drayton as a township would warrant the authority for the sale of spirits there, but it seems ridiculous to give such on authority when there are no townspeople to avail themselves of it, as is the case at present. The obvious course is to sell the town lots immediately.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1849
W. H. We really have no idea as to the comparative distances between Drayton and Ipswich, and Canning Downs and Ipswich “as the crow flies.” We never were a crow but should recommend you to catch an ancient and experienced member of the raven family and put the question to him point blank.
Darling Downs Gazette, 1861.
Stop saying “bloody,” you bloody scoundrels.
Want of space compels us to exclude the communication of our Celestial correspondent “Tsi,” but we fully agree with him that the odious custom of which he complains that namely of applying a “sanguinary” designation to almost anything and everything that is named by certain classes of the people, is as absurd as wicked.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1850
Really, sir? You want to discuss this?
John Murray – If you think it worthwhile to send another account of the vermin destroyed by you, without the thanks or recognition of your employer, we will insert it, as your former letter has been mislaid.
Moreton Bay Courier, 1859.
If only the Editors of yesterday could be unleashed on the comments section of news websites today!
[i] A poet is born, not made.
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Moreton Bay and More 