|
|
Article: We're still here, and still asking why: This newspaper has had its shining moments - and others that we'd rather not be reminded of.
- Article from:
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA)
- Article date:
- May 24, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 The Philadelphia Inquirer. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Byline: Howard Shapiro
May 24--We were an upstart. Philadelphia already had six daily newspapers on June 1, 1829, when John Norvell, the former editor of one of them, teamed with a young printer named John R. Walker to roll out the first edition of the Pennsylvania Inquirer. What Norvell supposedly told Walker as he scanned the very first Page One was this:
"In a free state, there should always be an inquirer asking on behalf of the people: 'Why was this done? Why is that necessary work not done? Why is that man put forward? Why is that law proposed? Why? Why? Why?' " The story is probably hooey. But the sentiment is real. We still ask ...