EDITORIAL: Constructive force for 94 years

Sep 15, 2009 (Hickory Daily Record - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- DRED | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Hickory Daily Record is now in its 95th year.

On Sept. 11, 1915, the editor of the North Carolina's newest daily newspaper, S.H. Farabee, wrote:

"The Hickory Daily Record enters the field of journalism in the hope that it may be representative of Hickory, Catawba County and this section of North Carolina. It will have no axe to grind, and no friends to reward, its object being to serve the best interests of its community and state. Unless it is the servant of the public, it does not deserve to succeed.

"... We will state, however, that the Record may be depended on to stand for the moral and industrial interests of the community and state, its object being always to be a constructive force.

"... The Record will hold itself free to criticize where criticism is needed, regardless of party or any other consideration."

In that first issue, The Associated Press informed readers:

"The Hickory Daily Record has been elected to membership in The Associated Press, that greatest of all news-gathering agencies in the entire world. The press dispatches that will be published in this paper every day will not only be fresh and newsy, but will be accurate and reliable as anything done by intelligent workmen can be."

The founder was J.C. "Red" Miller, whose expertise was in printing. He was the manager of the Record.

The paper flourished. In 1929, Indiana publisher Lester C. Gifford bought the paper and moved his family south. His goal was to make the Record the largest newspaper between Asheville and Charlotte.

He succeeded.

His wife, Mildred Gifford, and his daughter, Suzanne G. Millholland, later served as publishers of the Record. Mrs. Millholland is still active in the community, carrying on a steadfast Record family tradition of philanthropy.

Now published by Media General, the Record remains highly visible in the community and true to its heritage. We regard our readers and the public in general to be stakeholders in the Record. It is the readers and their involvement that give the paper its strength.

Much has changed in Hickory and the world. Technology has revolutionized news-gathering and publishing. But the mission remains the same. The principles of journalism are ageless. Credibility is the standard by which we, and you, judge the Record.

We thank our readers and advertisers for their support of the Record, and we intend to make this year as memorable and service-oriented as the first 94.

To see more of the Hickory Daily Record or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.hickoryrecord.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Hickory Daily Record, N.C.
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