Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-23
sIness, would be speedily and certainly changed 10 loss
embarrassment, and finally ~ bankruptcY.

rage losses OF subscription money sustained IN Conduct
ing newspapers and other periodical publications. have
not been less than onc ourt! Of the whole amounts sub
scrsed and legally due Many publications, with sub
scrlption lists promising fair profits, have lost much
than fourth. But this former aud usual rate Of
loss, has been greatly augmented by The recently produ
ced and still existing dsordered Of the currency,
and general depreciation Of bank paper and the pecu
MARY ADVERTISEMENTS of the country in general Every
trade and indeed every individual has sustained enough
of difficulty and loss from this condition of the
cy, 10 form conception Of the enormous addition
OF loss that must make to whatever before inpo-
sed on printers and publishers Of periodicals. The great
er and irregular depreciaton within this State, OF The
| Bank paper OF mos, other SiaIes has opposed new
and considerable difficulty in making payments for sub
scrptons even TO the most punclnal aud Conscientious
OF remote Debtors aud it has furnished plausible e1'
cuse for delay and failure of payments, which has been
| fully avaed Of by many of different character
The general credit system which hos been established
in the printing business aud the long extensions of time
Tor which debts for subscriptions have been permitted 10
remain unsettled and without the debtors being even
heard roH have served 10 give Importance and great IN
crease to another class of losses. Many postuasers
alike disregardng The acquisitions Of the Inv anda The
instructions under which they act their oath OF otce
and the planesl moral obligations suffer publications
to be sent TO their respective Post Offices for times OF
considerable length, and sometimes for years
together, directed 10 persons who have moved awny, or
are Dead or who otherwise full refuse TO take the
numbers sent to them. In many subscriber Is
thus made by the misconduct of the Postmaster, 10 APP
pear 10 Oe an or
fact, he has been guilty of no fault save the careless
ness of trusting to Postmaster 10 discontinue his sub.
scrpton, who fails 10 do afterwards to give 10 The
publisher the proper legal notice strictly enjoned in eve.
rs Of publication being addressed to person who
refuses fails to take it from the Office Without such
notice. and under the existing lax credit system IN all
such cases. the journal is continued to be SENT and it is
only perhaps, after two years, that the publisher
learns by chance by tady notification from The de-
linquent Postmaster, his in Office, that he
has been so long derauded Of his labor and property
and has Of redress worth resorng TO- Before
the discovery made perhaps the supposed and uncon-
scious debtor has been long resident of distant State
or is dead-and even the Post Office directed to- may
hive long been discontinued and The continuation OF
the neglect or fraud he then carrying on Of some other
place, and by another person.
Many Of the losses incurred belong to- and nscpa
rabe FROM the business of publishing journals sub
scrlption. But there are many others which may he
niligated, if not entirely guarded against Among The
causes OF oss the most important and injurious IS The
very bameable and and absurd facility with which pub
fishers have permitted debts for subscriptions to be con-
trncted by remote and unknown individuals, and TO re-
main due for years before payment made-lf ever made
So universal, in this trade, has become this loose system
OF giving md continuing Credits that publisher
could adopt different and proper course, without giving
offence 10, and losing the support Of many subscribers
who are both honorable in conduct and responsible in
estate. And as no single publisher has dared to com
mrnce reformation Of the general bad usage, all have
aided TO establish by their of indulgence, mode
OF carrying their business which all deemed injurious
to their interests, and which every consderate snbscr-
Der would admit to be improper and excusabe in every
point Of view 10 remedy these evils, in some measure
the following regulations proposed:
l. All subscriptions shall hereafter be considered as
incurred and due in advance, and for years publication,
unless specially ordered for shorter me and paid Tor
| in advance for that shorter time, when ordered.
q No publication shall be sent to the order of any new
and unknown subscriber unless paid for in advance
satisfactory reference be made 10 some known and &C.
cessbe person in regard to the subscriber or his pay
lt,tt h.
out payment from subscriber who is unacquained
with the conditions, single number may be sent, con-
tanning accompanied by, copy Of this regulation.
g. The names of all subscribers whose ability 10 pay
may be unknown the publisher, and who may rernain
indebted open account at the end Of two years. from
the time when the advanced payment was due, shall be
erased from the list OF subscribers
MIR. SANDS, from The Committee appointed in like
manner, under the Cd Resolution presented Report
and Resolutions which for The present laid on the
table.
Mr. Ssowprx, from the Committee under The Sd Re-
solution of yesterday, presented the following Report
and Resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
| The Committee 10 which was referred the Sd Resolu'
ton of the Convention, reati We TO the conduct of the
press Of Virginia. have had the under considsra-
ton, and beg leave 10 reporI
! So importa" has the newspaper press become, not
only as the dsseminalor Of intelligence and the ordinary
Of the day, but as eXertng an influence upon the
moral rs well the political relations Of society," that all
must take an interest in seeing its tone and character ee
vailed and sustained and lis energies directed to the best
and most useful means liza free press be the palladium
OF our liberties, pure is absolutely necessary 10
preserve relish for our liberties, and lit US tor pro.
per enjoyment o! them
The public, therefore, is concerned, and lis interests
deeply involved in the correct management of the press,
and in The character Of the newspapers ol country
What is designed for intellectual repast around
the family reside, Of which all 10 paIlake, cannot
be mailer OF indifference any virlunus citizen. AS
much however, as the public is interested the editors
and conductors Of the press themselves must ieel still
deeper sollcude. When men devote their energies 10
any labor they are anxious to see that labor applied to
its legitimate purposes and produce its proper results
We all daily and hourly employing time and our
minds in aboriuds task, and are constantly occupied
in profession, in which seldom, as things arc al
present. reap profit and often meet with encouragement
II is therefore, much matter Of interest Of duty,
with 10 unite in attempt 10 increase The useful.
ness and advance the responsibility Of the press, and
thus make it worthy the countenance and generous
support of the public.
To make particular rules applicable 10 all cases, in
furherance Of this desirable object, would be found I'M
practicable. We all agree, that the general conduct OF
the newspaper press ought to be improved-lls tone
changed, and its manner polished 1t is, however, in
the hands Of responsible and independent individuals
whose opinions and judgments are as various as their es-
adjustments separate and distinct IT is obvious,
then that much be left to the sound discretion OF the
editors themselves. We do nothing more, Ian to
cognsc certain general prnc Piles hch ought TO regu-
late the PRESS and 10 recommend TO our brethren
throughout the Commonwealth to act upon them, and
apply them they may proper as never however
circumstances may vay violate their spirit interrupt
their harmony and symmetry. These, at last, resolve
themselves into the general doctrine, Of making the
press pure well ree dignifed well as iadcpcn-
dsnt respectable as we'll interesting If this were
accomplished the situation of an editor would be rem
dered pleasant, and even more honorable than it
now is If respect ourselves, the public will respect
u.s. Along with the habit, which has now grown to be
part of nature of looking at our newspapers for in.
formation all The topics of The days. would grow up
confidence in the rectitude Of our intentions and the
excellence Of our motives which would make newsPu.
pers than they now are, necessary part OF
the literature of country, and give increased value
to our Iabors. We would then be thought worthy OF
full and ample remuneration, for works. which all