E. Bartlett Barnes: Model of journalistic integrity By ALBERT E. JABS 02/10/2004 E. Bartlett Barnes, formerly publisher and editor of a family newspaper (The Bristol Press), and as a close centenarian, could also be referenced as the undoubted Dean of American journalism. His life and journalistic example deserves additional commentary and national recognition.. In my judgment, he stands in the great American tradition of responsible journalism that goes back to that German American, John Peter Zenger of the l8th century; Elijah Lovejoy, martyr to freedom, in his battle against slavery in the l9th century; and the late Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois, who battled crime and immorality in the 20th century, as an intrepid editor. Like Bart Barnes, they had purposes, visionary purposes to their writing. Bart, in one of his enduring editorials, explicitly stated that the purpose of Bristol Press editorials was to "afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted." This is an astonishing statement of editorial purpose. Bart, like his father, Arthur, and his nephew, the Rev. Billy Barnes, reflected a community of inclusivity, balanced Bristol Press editorials, a hospitality of ideas, and a profound understanding of what community cohesion is all about. On a Christmas night, the Bristol Press featured the Jesus Christ birth story in Luke.A powerful message. Yet, Barnes was open to all religious expressions. Rare, very rare, in today’s avalanche of words; therefore, the Barnes legacy is a model of balanced reasoning, careful judgments, and moral purpose. What distinguished Mr. Barnes from other pundits was his community covenant ethos. Dr. Chester Natunewicz, my neighbor and academic colleague, in his letter of (Jan.23) has already described the far-ranging Barnes reach affecting education, the library, the boys/girls clubs, health values in public swimming pools, parks, immigrant assimilation, economic opportunities, and continuous encouragement to all of Bristol’s citizens. This constant building of community resources was rooted in his keen grasp of his community covenant. Like other Yale graduates in Bristol who go by the names of Beach, Calder, Treadway and Peck, Barnes used leverage to help many known and unknown, but kindly causes. The encouragement to the Jabs family and the Natunewicz families were just a small example of his community largesse. Yale University would honor itself by granting Mr. Barnes a doctor of public service degree for his ideals of community covenantal service in Bristol, for Yale, and Connecticut cannot be measured. Yet, with all of the above, Bart would admit he did not walk on water, but he understood what purposes and goals are worth striving for. In a a day where the N.Y. Times has been caught in lies and deception, and the Washington Post, and other major newspapers cannot be excluded, The Bristol Press, in my tenure of observation as a newsboy and Internet reader exemplifies a balanced journalism, with factual stories, and profound editorial purposes. Lou Bachman, erstwhile Press writer, cited Bart as an editor with exactitude, who had files that were honest and extensive on a variety of issues. In a Roast and Toast affair held at the Radison in 2000, Bart was signally honored by many within his own family and the community. Bart was given a rare tribute by his own daughter, who stated that her father, at the age of 90, ventured off to Africa; this was another example of the faith ventures that characterized the long life of Editor Barnes. Bart, in his busy life, was also comm itted as a husband and father.Both Barnes and myself have been blessed and privileged to have read and written millions of words, but that profound editorial philosophy of "afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted" will always stay with me, and I am sure will remain as a memorable Barnes legacy. A personal note: Bart, I hope these lines can be read by you; in a small way, it is part of paying the debt in appreciation for your servant example and total commitment to a community covenant that will endure. This tribute was sent to The Bristol Press on Friday. Albert E. Jabs, Ph.D., is a Bristol native who currently is an adjunct professor, Limestone College, Columbia, S.C. ©The Bristol Press 2004 E. Bartlett Barnes is a descendant of Thomas Barnes (1615-1688) of Hartford/Farmington, CT