Why did Morris lose his job with the sentinel?

Young Morris refused to cover the train robbery and was fired:

"Well, the fact is, I am out of a job. You know I've been doing reporter work on the 'Morning Sentinel' since I graduated last year. Well, last Saturday Mr. Burr asked me to go down the road Sunday morning and get the details of that train robbery at the Junction, and write the thing up for the extra edition that came out Monday morning, just to get the start of the 'News.' I refused to go, and Burr gave me my dismissal."