Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-07-03
From the Massachusetts, Journal.
BORROWING NEWSPAPERS.

paper, has an indisputable right to read
il or not, lend it or not, and even to
give il away, if il is bis will and pleas
ure so 70 do. He has the right to ex-
ereise the same acts of ownership over
it, that we do over our types and print
ing press. Notwithstanding this, the e.
wills and Inconvenience growing. out OF
the practice of borrowing newspapers,
call for reprehension both from us and
our subscribers. Some newsmangers
live by borrowing newspapers, and most
generally are sure to obtain q6fst pos
session OF them before their liege lords
have had an opportunity OF obtaining
even aglimpse at their contents. Itap.
pears no more than equitable and fair
that those who pay for the paper should
have the first reading of it; butso far is
this from the fact, that for the most part,
they are the very last Borrowers are
privileged persons, and after culling
from the paper every thing interesting,
and retailing the news in the Bigh ways
| and in tap rooms, the paper is sometimes
returned To It's owner, as stale and in
sIp,d as green peas, q month from the
vines. In some of our country towns
the subscribers for newspaper have
nothing bat reyersionary interest in
the thing they pay for; when every
| other person is done with it, and when
tentirely ceases TO be valuable, the own
eris welcome TO bis old newspaper and
"be hanged TO him" Now we would re-
specially suggest to our subscribers
the propfiety of insisting on their right,
FIRST to read their paper, and next not to
lend il to persons more or as well able
to subscribe for it as themselves, unless
they have mind to Few newspaper
readers will be wiling to expend, even
four dollars yearif they can obtain
the newspapers Of the day free OF ex-
pense to themselves, Although the pa
GERS are not furnished gratis, yet they
get them so. aud that to them is the same
thing There are two kinds Of borrow
ers, one with, and the ether without
leave; both occasion US great inconve-
nience No longer than yesterday, a
punctual country subscriber, requested
us TO discontinue his paper on account
of its being heavy tax 10 him. The
price OF the paper,he considered triflng,
in comparison with incidental expenses.
He informed us that it was the constant
practice Of some of his rich neighbors
to make Sunday call on him TO see his
paper, and after perusing it to their
hearts content, they returned home
but if they went away dry, they were,
sure to 60 away dissatisfied. Common
civility induced him 10 treat them, and
as they came to see bis paper and not
him, he was resolved to free himself
from SO expensive convenience. No
i publication day passes without COM
plant We are constantly greeted with
the unpleasant declaration, .'Your paper
did not come to-day" "ihave otrcceiy-
ed the Journal in fortnight" "stop my
paper, as am resolved not to pay for
that which do not receive" Under
these circumstances, what is to be done ?
| Our carriers aver that they regularly
leave subscribers papers. What be
comes of them9 Why, they get into
the possession of the borrowers without
license; these newsmongers, who are
willing TO read and be instructed at the
expense of others. Ii they would but
call at our office, we viii furnish them
gratuitously with paper rather than
have them filch from under the knocker,
the papers Of subscribers. Al the low
rate we furnish papers, every man who
has leisure to read can afford to pur
chase. II would be gratifying to our.
selves and to our subscribers, it those
who could, would afford to lie without
borrowing.
| 4 Good One.-Two Irishmen figh
l.ing together, one ofthem knocked the
other down, and seeing him lie mo
tionless, thought be had killed him;
taking him by the hand he cried, %
my dear Paddy, now be after speak
ing to me, and il have killed you tell
me honyl--To which the other an
swered-"No. my dear Mac, ant
dead at all, but by my shout l am
speechless." $500
| .Anecdote Some years ago, wit
ness was examined before a judge in a
case of SANDER, who required him 10
repeat the precise words spoken: the
witness hesiiated until he risetted The
attention of The whole court on him;
IL Al At