Louis Benson Seltzer (September 19, 1897 – April 2, 1980) was an American journalist who was editor-in-chief of the Cleveland Press, a now-defunct daily newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1928 until his retirement in 1966. As editor of the Press, Seltzer became one of the most powerful and most well-known citizens of Cleveland, earning the nickname "Mr. Cleveland". Under Seltzer's leadership, the Press gained the largest circulation of any newspaper in Ohio and cultivated a reputation as a "fighting paper" that "fought like hell for the people".
As editor of the Press, Seltzer emphasized the public service aspect of the paper and "vigorously developed the notion that his reporters were watchdogs for the public over political and governmental affairs". He also gained a reputation as a "kingmaker" for his successful sponsorship of numerous local politicians, including Cleveland mayors Anthony Celebrezze and Frank J. Lausche, who later became governor of Ohio and a United States Senator. Seltzer was the subject of both glowing praise and harsh criticism, particularly for his extensive coverage of the trial of Sam Sheppard.
Early life and career
Seltzer was born on September 19, 1897, in Cleveland, Ohio, on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River. Seltzer's father, Charles Alden Seltzer, was "a frequently unemployed carpenter and a totally unsuccessful writer of romantic short stories". The family lived in poverty during Seltzer's early years; when Seltzer was 12 and in the sixth grade, he dropped out of school to work as an office boy at The Cleveland Leader. Although his father started to earn money as a writer about a year later, by then Seltzer was successful enough at his own job that he refused to quit and return to school.
At the age of 14, Seltzer met Marion Elizabeth Champlan, and the pair were married when they were both 18. Shortly after getting married, Seltzer moved to the Cleveland News to work as a reporter, but was fired shortly thereafter. After a short enlistment in the Army, Seltzer was hired by the Cleveland Press as a police reporter, and became a city editor in 1916. However, Seltzer felt he lacked the experience for the position and resigned after three months, switching to the role of political editor.
Editorship of the Cleveland Press
Seltzer became editor of the Cleveland Press in 1928. During his editorship of the Press, Seltzer became one of the most well-known and most powerful people in the city, earning the nickname "Mr. Cleveland". Under his leadership the Press gained the largest circulation of any newspaper in Ohio, and cultivated a reputation as an advocate for its readers. Seltzer described the Press under his leadership as a "fighting paper" that "fought like hell for the people". During his editorship, Seltzer was the subject of "glowing" profiles in the national media, which emphasized his civic mindedness, his flamboyant public persona, and the freewheeling atmosphere of the Press newsroom. More recently, Seltzer has received both unfettered praise, and some criticism for his handling of certain stories, particularly the Sheppard trial.
Community involvement and advocacy
Seltzer emphasized the public service aspect of the Press and was personally involved in numerous civic and charitable endeavors. According to Seltzer's obituary in The Wall Street Journal, "With Mr. Seltzer at the helm, the Cleveland Press played an important part in bringing the city such things as downtown redevelopment, a municipal zoo, bridges, highways and parks along what was once a dilapidated Lake Erie waterfront".
"Kingmaker": Political activities
As editor of the Cleveland Press, "Seltzer vigorously developed the notion that his reporters were watchdogs for the public over political and governmental affairs". According to a 1950 profile of him in LIFE magazine, "No crook in public office has slept well in Louis Seltzer's regime, although many a crook in private pursuits has doubtless slept like a baby". According to later writer James Neff, "When local government did not function, the Press struck with editorial might, even if it meant using a sledgehammer to crush a gnat. Overkill could be rationalized because the cause was just, for the little guy. Anyone who tried to play outside these rules or who was perceived as looking down on his mostly blue-collar readers, Seltzer enjoyed taking down a peg".