The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1837-1849, 1846-09-26
Supporting Local News
DlDCrS.

A great deal has been said and written
in favor Of supporting local newspapers
Every one seems to admit that they ough,
10 be supported, and yet many fail to
practice what they acknowledge to be o
duty. l, is q fact that but lew Of the
country papers have any thing like srp-
port. In most instances they are suffer.
ed 10 languish in sickIy way, like q pa
ilenl on water Cruel. The editor is fore
ed, from the circumstances in which he is
placed, to neglect the editorial depart
men. of his paper, in order that he may
work at the case, or 'press.' lie is not
able, from The support he receives, 10 EN-
ploy help sufficient to get out his paper
without taking turn at the types or
press himself. How different is The case
with the editor oil Il successful paper in a
city like Boston. There the editor has
several assistants in the editorial Depart
ment. The chief editor writes a leading
editorial two or three times q week, and
his work is finished. Ills paper is we'll
patronized by local subscription, and he
has to apologize about every week TO his
reader for Tho piess OF advertisemen,s,'
which encroah upon the space meant for
reading natter We have been told
that the net profits Of some OF the leading
papers Of Boston, such as the Atlas, Posi-,
Advertiser and Courier, amount not only
to thousands, but to tens Of thousands o!
dollars year. Much OF these profits are
drawn from patrons in the county towns
men who do not expend dollar during
n lifetime to encourage paper printed IN
their own county, and who speak Of the
country press only to disparage it, and
find fault with The editor for not making
his paper better, when the fault 10 not his
but their own, Tor not assisting HIM.
We are aware that the country papers
are in many instances not 90 we'll con-
Quoted as they ought TO be, but IN nine
cases out Of ten It will be found that the
fault lies with the people, and not with
the editor. To make the country papers
Interesting, the friends of the pape: in tho
county or district 10 which it 10 printed
should mako it a point to write for tho
paper, giving an account OF whatever ol
interest rAnspires in their respective
neig hbor hoods. They should make The
country paper the organ with which the
public may become acquainted with the
improvements which are gong on; of new
factories that are being built; Of new I'M
provemenis in agriculture, und in schools;
new meeting houses or dwellings that are
going up; Of new railroads that are being
made; in short, Of every thing that would
interest the people ol the county. In
political matters, the paper should be
made the vehicle TO communicate with The
people OF the county OF district. The
editor would then feel that tho people
have an interest in his paper, and he
would feel nerved 10 60 onward in the
path OF duty, and nothing would be 50
likely 10 extend the circulation Of his
paper as the publication OF local news in
the way wo have mentioned. There are
in every village neighborhood, men who,
if they would Try, could write an interest.
ing letter upon local subjects, for their
county paper, and we hope some Of them
will ltty their hand; by so doing they will
confer n lasting benefit upon the country
press ard co themselves no harm.
We do not expect to see the day when
the country editors will make independent
fortunes, or be able 10 get along wiihoul
hard work; but we want them to get a.
long without being editor. composition,
proof.resder and press-man. To be o
faithful editor is suflicien, for ono man,
and do it we'll.