Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-02-07

touc VI private manners, ana lnfoCtS
the character of our public councils.
In this respect, therefore, the interests
OF society, as well as the reputation Of
its conductors, demand a thorough re.
form.
This is, gentlemen, another of the
great objects for which we have con.
yened together and am sure, there
is no well regulated mind in this as.
sembly which will not heartily coop.
crate in all the measures which may
be necessary to improve and elevate
the tone of the Press.
You will probably have other sub.
jects before you. Be assured, gentle
men, that | will spare no effort to "a.
cilitate the business Of the Convention.
trust sincerely, that we shall part in
the same harmony in which we have
/ met.
On motion Of Mr.. RUrPIN,
Resolped, That the relations be.
tween the publishers Of, and subscri-
bers to, newspapers and other periodi-
Gals, be referred to a committee, with
instructions to consider and report the
existing evils, and to prepare such re.
meoies as may seem most proper and
effectual.
On motion of Mr.. SANDS,
Rcsolped, That the subject of adop.
ting uniform scale Of prices of Book
and Job Printing and Advertising, as
far as the same is practicable, and al.
so tor the regulation OF the relations
between employers. journeymen and
apprentices, be referred to selec,
committee, to report tomorrow.
On motion of Mr.. SNowDEN,
Resolued, That the subject Of the
proper tone and manner of conducting
the Newspaper Press Of Virginia, be
referred to select committee, 10 re-.
port Tomorrow.
The CHAIR appointed, under the
first resolution, the following gentle
men to constitute the committee:
Messrs. Ruffin, White, Toler, Nose
ley, Hunter, and Alexander.
Under the second Resolution:
Messrs. Sands, White, Walker, Mar
shall, Davis, Ricketts,, and Mead.
Under the third
Messrs. Snowden, Gallaher, Black.
ford, Toler, Ruffin, Hunter, Cowardir
and Smith.
On motion, Mr.. Richie was added
to the committee under the third reso.
luton.
The CONVENTION then adjourned
to meet at 5 o'clock to morrow even.
ing.
THURSDAY EVENING, JAN. 1S.-The
CONVENTION met pursuant to adjourn.
ment.
| Mr.. ALEXANDER, Editor OF the Char.
lottesvllle Jeffersonian Republican, and
Mr.. J. c. WALKER, Of Richmond, ap.
peared and took their seats.
Several communications addressed
TO the Convention, were read and for
the present laid on the table.
On motion Of Mr.. GLLAHER,
Resolved, That such members Of the
Legislature, and other gentlemen, as
have been heretofore connected with
the press, be invited to seats in this
Convention as honorary Members.
Mr.. RUFFIN, from the Committee
appointed yesterday, under the first
Resolution, presented Report and
Resolutions, which after some debate
and amendment, were adopted In the
following form.
The Committee to whom was refer.
red the subject Of the relations of pub.
lIshers and their subscribers, with in
structions to report the existing evils,
and to propose suitable remedies-sub.
NIT their views in the following report,
which, with the resolutions annexed,
they recommend to be adopted by the
Convention.
1t has long been generally under
stood and admitted, that the ardous
labors and large expenditures requisite
for publishing newspapers and other
periodicals, have been paid for by the
subscribers, on the general average,
with less punctuality and certainty,
and with more abatement Of the Just
amount, by partial or total losses of
dues, and by the cost Of postage and of
commissions, and other expenses Of
collections, than in any other trade or
business Of importance and necessity
to the public. The principal causes of
the greater losses sustained in this
branch of industry, are presented in
the following circumstances.
Different from every other kind of
business, the furnishing of newspapers
and magazines to those who subscribe
for them, is done Tin this country al.
most wholly on credit-and, moreover,
the debts so incurred, arc for very
small sums, due from hundreds or thou.
sands of different individuals, remotely