The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-17
WHOLE NO. l66.
ON NEWSPAPER aPATRoNAGE.,

solomon Smith, Esq. the proprietor Of the
Mobile Mercantile Advertiser, has recently
sold his paper to Messrs. Langdon and Har-
ris. In his valedictory, he says some true
things in an amusing style, as the following
extract will show:
Speaking Of patrons--I cannot conclude
ject OF patronage. The Americans are pa
tronizing people. Ifa person subscribes for
newspaper or advertises in it, he becomes a
patron if he "puts up" at hotel, he patro-
nizes that house, if he purchases an article at
store he gires the merchant his custom; il
he visits the play house on benefit night, he
besfo,cs on such an actor dollar. This is
all wrong, Let US change this patronizing
air, and acknowledge, that if we take news
paper, purchase goods, lodge or dine at an no.
tel, 60 to the play, we expect at least to get
our moneys worth. Halloo, old fellow y
bawled ont chap to me, in South Carolina,
81 gaze you dollar last night like to pa
tronize the theatre" The day before, had
loaned thst patron fifty dollars, to take him
home to Georgia, which he has not paid me 10
this day.
Of all trades, professions or callings, know
OF none-l have followed great many-so
poorly paid as publishers Of newspapers
Many patrons Of newspapers, otherwise wor-
thy, punctual men, think it not unrighteous to
let the publisher wait year after year for his
dues-und at last if he is compelled to pay, he
does it with very bad grace. /" Mr.. Type
must nave his money, must he2 Well, il he
Must, ne must. Give me a receipt; and, do
you hear stop the paper-l have patronzed
that establishment six years, there's no such
thing as gratitude in the world" Another will
tell you he neper subscribed for a paper" the
boy has left il every morning, It is true, and as
was left did read it occasionally
never ordered it, There is another class of
patrons who never subscribed at all, but are
great friends Of the paper, and always read It !;
in fact, this is the class who may be termed
your constant readers" "Here, Sam, 60
over the way, with my compliments to Mr..
Iomkins, and ask him for the loan of his pa
per-and, Sam, tell him, as he never reads it
before breakfast, I'll thank him to let John
bring It over every morning-it is an excellent
paper; that editor really knows what he is
about; begin TO think Of patronizing him
myself There yet remains to be mention
ed one more class Of patrons supporters,
should say, for they are the support and stay
OF publishers.
This class is composed Of those who say
"Here Mr.. Clerk-be so kind as to place my
name on your subscription list-and write OPP
posite to it, paid IN advance." In looking
over list of some thousands yesterday, saw
hundred or two Of this class IF had any
golden types, their names should literally ap-
pear in letters Of gold. There are now from
t,cetre 10 fifteen thousand dollars due this Of
fee; and, am convinced, the proprietors
would willingly sell all the debts for FIVE thou
sand! 1t is thus with all newspapers Offices
m; 7a why? because publishers are good ma
,,,u NY, ana s9oml1 h. nirr own Determination in
things he amended-t reform it altogether"
Adhere strictly to the terms of your papers for,
take the word Of AN experienced man, you had
better keep your ink and paper than furnish
them and your labor .Jor nothing. You may
get popularity. but will get no pork and cab
bage for your dinner.
now take my leave as proprietor of the
+" Advertiser" forgive all, and ask forgive
ness of all, (if any one has any thing to for
gve,) and conclude by repeating the advice
gave my Cincinnati friends fifteen years ago,
with slight amendment LIVE HONESTY
SERVE Con, AND PAY FOR YOUR NEWS
PAPERS,"