The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-11-07
WORCESTER:
WEDNESDAY. NOV. 7, 1897.

S''' =" iNNSo'aOio competition Is adVantageou
to the community. This remark applies a
well to the publication of periodicals as to othe
employments but, with them, an excess o
competition; instead of being an advantage, i
an injury TO the public Unlike other business
their expenditures cannot be regulated by til,
income The expense of printing 500 or 500
papers is nearly the same, excepting the pric,
OF the paper, while the income from the latter
number is ten times greater than from the for
mer; so that, although a subscription of SOC
might not pay the expense of publication, one
Of 1900 or 1900 might be profitable. When
therefore, the competitors become SO numer-
Gus, as to reduce the patronage of each below
a given amount, the inducement to render
them interesting and valuable is taken away.
Where there is SO much scope for enterprise as
there is in this country, men will not. for a
great length of time, follow a business which
does not afford them nearly adequate remu-
neration for their labor For while, they
may labor, in hopes of better success; but,
when disappointed Of this, they will cease to
devote that time and study to the preparation
ing of a paper valuable and will make hasty com
piatlons from materials the most easily and
cheaply come at. Experience has sufficiently
proved, that no paper will sustain a respectable
character, for any length of time, without
liberal and efficient support.
Thus it may be seen, that, where the patron
age of any section of the country is sufficient
TO support two or thee papers respectfully, if
that number is doubled, or increased, the sup
port of each is SO much diminished, that it is no
longer an object to devote so much time to
them as before, and their character almost
necessarily deteriorates, and the community
suffers in consequence. Nor is this the only
= loss to the public. If given number of offices
are sufficient to supply their wants. all the in
crease is dead loss of so much labor as is en-
ployed in the additional establishments.
We have been led to these remarks, from
observing the multitude of new papers which
have sprung up within the last year. in all d.
rections, far exceeding the increased wants of
the community. Some of these already wear
the sickly aspect which betokens approaching
standing, have closed their career. Many of
these publications are located in places, where
neither the concentration of business, nor the
means of acquiring information, affords the ia
cillties necessary to justify the undertaking.
In the outset, perhaps, by great exertion and
solicitation "a considerable subscription is obtain
ed, but it is soon found, that, when personal
solicitations are RENTED, the subscription
dmnishes, and that the circulation, if kept
up, must be forced and unnatural one The
truth becomes manifest that names alone will
not maintain paper the fair promises of sup
port, given in the outset, are forgotten, some
subscribers prove unable, and others unwilling.
to pay. The consequence is, that it is either
suspended or dwindles along; with just enough
of vitality to injure others, and without enough
to be of any advantage to itself or proprietors.
When one Of these papers commences its ca
reer, we frequently see it heralded forth, in the
contemporary prints in articles something like
the following
IL" We have received the first number of
the BungtO,on Freeman S .AdUOcate, and POlt-
zeal, Literary, Scientific, and Miscellaneous
Register, published at Bungtown by Mr.. Per-
egrinc Plea, and edited by Solomon Scribble,
Esq In size and appearance it is similar TO
our own, and is conducted with ability. We
wish it all the success its enterprising publisher
can desire"
Very kind indeed the wish with which the
paragraph closes; but is it not more generous
than just, when it is considered, that, whatever
patronage it acquires, must be withdrawn from
those who have labored long and faithfully in
the public cause, and are, therefore, better en-
titled to support A love of novelty and fond
ness Of change, frequently induce people to
transfer their patronage from an old to new
establishment, and they too often find them
selves in the situation of the man, who gives
up an old and tried friend for one be knows
nothing about.
These remarks are intended not to be par
tcuar, but general, in their application. They
are dictated by no inviduous feelings, for we
have no cause of complaint. But having seen
the operation of these things elsewhere, we
consider them just cause of animadyersion.-
We verify believe it to be solemn fact, that
the income Of one third of the papers in this
state, is not sufficient to defray the current ex-
penses of publication, and the wear and tear
of the materials. If this is true, and we have
no doubt of it, there is good reason for looking
into the causes which have produced such a
state Of things.
MonGAN's BODY 1t is now said, and appar-
have been identified as that of Capt. Morgan
and SO decided to be by jury, was in fact that
of Capt Timothy Monro, an inhabitant oil
Canada, who was drowned in Niagara River
about six weeks since. The clothing and tracts
found in his pockets, have been identified by
his family. who have rome to Batavia TO claim