Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-02-08

ttbeA htiohy oN eFeuA-ubus tNoIGONtEs
the debts so incurred, are for very
small sums. due from Hundreds or thou
sands Of different individuals. remotely
located aud widely dispersed-xho are
for the FAR greater number. altogether
unknown 10 their creditors, and who,
therefore. OF course. are finally often
found to be entirely irresponsible for
such obligations. The magnitude Of
these causes Of loss, has not been APP
preoiated. by any except those who
have suffered the consequent injuries.
But. II be but supposed that any other
business-no matter in which depart
ment OF industry, and though now it
be among the most prosperous and pro-
fiiable-were placed on the like foot
ing, as to the small amount Of each
customers annual purchases, the great
number and small amount Of the debts
so made, aud the general absence OF
any real accountability Of the debtors.
OF Of means Of enforcing payments
then il will be readily understood and
conceded, that the previous prosperous
and safe condition Of the supposed bu-
siness, would be speedily and certainly
changed TO loss, embarrassment, and f..
nslly to bankruptcy.
Owing 10 such causes, the hereto
fore usual and average losses Of sub
scuption money sustained in conduct
ing newspapers and other periodical
publications. have not been less than
=. II h. sh..l
scribed and legally due. Many pub
LEGATIONS, with subscription lists promis-
ing fair profits, have lost much more
than a fourth. But this former and
usual rate OF loss. has been greatly
augmented by the recently produced,
and still existing disordereJ state ofthe
currency, and general depreciation Of
bank paper and the pecuniary embar-
rassmen;s Of the country in general.-
Every trade and indeed every indIvid-
ual. has sustained enough OF difficulty
and loss from this condition of the cur
rency, 10 form some conception of the
enormous addition Of loss that it must
make TO whatever was before imposed
on printers and publishers OF periodi-
calls. The great and irregular depre-
citation, within this State, of the Bank
paper Of most other States, has imposed
new and considerable difficulty in
making payments for subscriptions.
even to the most punc;usl and consci-
entious of remote debtors; and il has
furnished a pla1dble excuse for delay
and failure of payments, which has
been fully availed OF by many Of a diff.
ferent character.
The general credit system which has
been established in the printing bust
ness. and the long extensions Of time for
which debts for subscriptions have
been permitted TO remain unsettled,
and without the debtors being even
heard from, have served to give import
ance and great increase 10 another
class of losses. Many posimasters,
alike disregarding the reqais,lions oil
the law and the instructions under
which they act, their oath OF Office, and
the plainest moral obligations. suffer
pnblicationsto be sent their 10 respective
Post Offices for times Of considerable
length, aud sometimes even for years
together, directed to persons who have
moved away. OF ara dead, or who
otherwiSs fail or refuse TO take the
numbers sent TO them. In many caseA
q subcriber is thus made, by toe mis-
conduct Of the Postmaster. to appear 10
be an unfaiihful, or fraudulent debtor.
when, in fact, he has been guilty OF
no fault, save the caTelessness Of trust
ing 10 Postmaster TO discontinue his
subscription, Who fails TO DO so-or az
forwards TO give 10 the publisher the
proper legal notice. strictly ehjoined
10 every case Of publication being
addressed TO a person who refuses OF
fails 10 take it from the Office. With.
oct such notice. under the existing lax
credit system. in all such cases the
journal Is continued 70 be sent, and Il
is only perhaps. after one OF two years.
that the Publisher learns. by chance
or by . ;ardy notification from The de-
/ linqOeni Postmaster, or hes successor 10
Office, that he has been 80 long de-
franded Of bis labor end property, and
has no means Of redress worth resort.
ing 10. Before the discovery 10 made.
perhaps the supposed land uneon-
sclous) debtor has been long q resident
of 4 distant State. Of h dend--aBd even
the Post Office directed 10 NAY have
long been discontinued. and the con-
linua.ion Of the neglect Or fraud BE-
then carrying 90 q, some other place,
add by another person.
Macy Of the losses Incurred belong
Co. and are iasepsrsble from the bua-
ness Of publishing journals on subscTip.
iions Bot lhefs are many others which
nav be mitigaied, u not entirely guard
ed against. Among ihe causes 81 loss,
the most important and injarious is che
very blamable and absurd facility 9Th
which publishers have permitted debts
for subscriptions 20 be- contracted BY
LFemolc end unkn0wB individuals, end
to remain due for years beiore pay.
menl - msde--if ever made. Sc uni-
vental. ia this trade. hss become Tbs
loose system q giving and continuing
credits, ihst ~ one pphlishsr could