The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-13
YIRGINlA EprroRIAL coNYENTIoN
TO the PaEsIDENr Of the United State

Richmond the i7th Of January. Thomas Richie,
Esq, was elected President, and VIM. II, Balckford
was appointed Secretary. We make the subolned ex-
tracts from the proceedings placing proper light
the difficulties to which publishers sui ecsd, aud
pointing out the proper remedies. These proceedings
furnish many useful hints which might be advantage
oasy taken by the publishers in every part Of the coun-
try, who while aiding others 10 advance is IN fac, really
neglected. oi their own interests.
The committee 10 whom was referred the subject Of
the relations OF publishers and their subscribers with
instructions to report the existing evils aud TO propose
suitable remedies, submit their views III the following
report, which with the resolutions annexed, they reco-
mend TO be adopted BY the Convention
II has been generally understood and admitted, that
the arduous labors aud large expenditures requisite for
publishing newspapers and other periodicals. have been
paid for by the subscribers, the general average with
less puncluaty and certainly, aud Wi more abatement
OF the Just amount by partial or total losses OF dues
and by The cost Of postage and commission, and other
expenses Of collections, than any other mode Of bns
ness Of Importance aud necessity TO the public. The
principal OF the greater losses sustained IN this
branch Of industry, are presented in the following CIR
cumstances
Different from every other kind Of business, the fur
nshing Of newspapers and magazines TO those who sub
scribe for them done (n this couDtry,) almost wholly
ercditand, moreover, the debts SO incurred, are
Tor very small sums due from hundreds or thousands
OF different remotely located and widely dis
persedwho are for the far greater NUMBER altogether
unknown to their creditor, and who therefore, course,
finally often found 10 be entirely irresponsible for
such obligations The magnitude OF these causes of
loss has not been appreciated by any except those who
have suffered the consequent injuries. But if it be
but supposed that any other business-no matter IN
which department of industry, and though now 1t be
among the most prosperous and prohtable-WcTe placed
the like footing the small amount OF each Gus
toners annual purchases the great number and small
amount of the debts made, aud the general absence
OF any real accountability OF the debtors, oil means OF
enforcing payments-then will be readily understood
and conceded that the previous prosperous aud safe
condition OF the supposed business would be speedily
and certainly changed to loss, embarrassment and final
ly TO bankruptcy.
Owing to such causes, the heretofore usual and ave-
rage losses Of subscription money sustained conduct
Ing newspapers and other periodical publications, have
not been less than fourth Of the whole amount sub
scrbed and legally due. Many publications. with sub.
scnpton lists promising fair profits, have lost more
than fourth but this former and usual rate Of loss,
has been greatly augmented by the recently produced
aud still existing dsordered state Of the currency, and
general depreciation Of bank paper and the pecuniay
einbaassmen,s OF the country III general Every trade
and indeed every individual, has sustained enough
difficulty and loss from this condition OF the currency,o
form conception OF the enormous addition OF loss
hat it make TO whatever before imposed
printers and publishers Of periodicals. The great and
irregular depreciation within this State OF the bank pa
per Of most other States has opposed and con
siderable difficulty in making payments for subscription,
mo debtors; and it has furnished plausible excuse
for delay and failure Of pa, mens which has been fully
awaited Of by many Of a different character.
The general credit system which has been established
IN the printing business and the long extension OF time
for which debts for subscriptions have been permitted
remain unsettled aud without the debtors being
heard from, have served to give Importance and great
increase 10 another class Of losses, Many postmasters,
alike dlsregardlng the acquisitions Of the law and the
instructions under which they act, their oath Of office,
.taktt,
to be to their respective post offices for times
considerable leug;h, and sometimes even for years To-
geher, directed 10 persons who have removed away or
deed or who otherwise fail or refuse to take the
numbers sent TO them. In many cases subscriber is
thus made by the misconduct Of the Postmaster, 10
appear be uufailhfu fraudulent debtor when in
fact, he has been guilty Of fault, the careless
oil trusting to Postmaster discontinue his sub
scrp.ien. who fails TO do so-or afterwards to give
the publisher The proper legal notice, strictly enloned in
every Of publication being addressed TO person
refuses fails to take il from the office With
such notice under the existing tax credit system,
all such the journal is continued be sent; and
it is only perhaps after two years that the pub
Usher learns, by chance. or by tady notification from
the delinquent postmaster, his office, that
he has been long derauded of his labor and property
and has of redress worth resorting to. Be-
fore the discovery is made perhaps the supposed (and
unconscious) debtor has been long resident OF dis
tan State, is deadand even the post Office direct
co 10 may nave Deen discontinued, ana the con-
tnuaiion Of the neglect fraud be then carrying
some other place, and by ano her person.
Many Of the usses incurred, belong to, and nse-
parable from the business Of publishing journals sub
scrIptions. But there many others which may be
mltigaied, If not entirely guarded against Among the
OF loss the most important and injurious is the
very blamabe and absurd facility with which publishers
have permitted debts for subscriptions TO he contracted
by remote and unknown individuals and to remain due
for years before payment is made-if ever made. So
UNIVERSAL in this trade, has become this loose system Of
giving and continuing credits, that no one publisher
could adopt different and proper course without giving
offence TO- 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
rnence reformation Of the general bad usage all have
aided to establish by their excess OF indulgence, mode
Of carrying their business which all deemed injurious
to their interests and which every consderae subscr
Der would admit to be improper and nexcusable
ry point of view.
L. All subscriptions shall hereafter be considered as
incurred aud due in advance, and for years publiaa-
tion unless specially ordered for shorter time when so
ordered
?. No publication shall be sent to the order of any
new and unknown subscriber unless paid for advance
or satisfactory reference is made to some known and
accessible person in regard TO the subscriber his pay
ment But, IN Of order for publication, with
out payment, from subscriber who is unacauain-
cd with the conditions, single number may be sent,
containing, or accompanied by, copy Of this regu-
laton
3 The names Of all subscribers whose ability to pay
may he unknown to the publisher, and who may remain
indebted on open account at the end of two years from
the time when the advance payment due, shall be
erased from the list Of subscribers
The following resolutions likewise excellent in
their way, and deserve general adoption:
Resolved That, in the opinion of this convention in
referring to editorial opinions the Of the newspa
per alone should be used, aud discussions between ed
tors carried on Invested entirely Of opprobrous cpthels
and Of harsh language; and that editorial intercourse
should be marked by aneny, courtesy, and, far as
possible, good feelings and kiudnessthus in tho course
OF lie elors toward annIhnr snilnn an exa1nlle