, 1855-03-31
The True DOctrIne.


The facts set forth in the following from
the Oregon Statesman and Times, meet the
question of a reduction in the subscription
price of those papers so fully, as we are
lei to believe, and are withal, so appliea-
bic in the publication of the Pioneer and
Democrat, as far as this territory is con-
cerned, that we present them for the con-
sderation Of our readers, and ask for them
that they receive that consideration to
which they are entitled. To. think of re-
dueing our subscription price, in the least,
would be but a prelude to closing up the
publication of the newspaper business. IS
per annum, is as low as paper can be af-
fOrded in this territory, and if any person
should desire to experiment, by way of re-
duction, he will soon be satisfied that the
experiment will not buy bread, pay rent,
or get coffee ground:
NwsPaPers In Oregon--TheIr Cost, aud their
Price.
ain consequence OF the "hard times,
and depressed state Of the country, it may
have been to some extent anticipated, that
the price Of the Statesman would be redu-
ced, at the close Of the present volume
W. are sorry that we cannot meet this ex-
pcctation-for we would prefer to do it II
we could afford it. We first started the
Statesman at seven dollars per annum; one
years experience demonstrated thatit could
BE- afforded less, and we reduced the price
to Eve dollars We have recently made a
clreful calculation, and by it we arc forced
TO the conclusion that the Statesman can
not now be printed at lower rates, and that
further reduction must he followed with loss
to the publisher. The "hard times fall
no more heavily upon any class in Oregon,
than upon newspaper publishers. The gen.
eral depression in business materially di-
mihishes the advertising and obJing pat
ronage Of the papers, while the scarcity Of
money greatly decreases the proportion Of
cash receipts, upon the business transacted,
as compared with one, two and three years
ago. While in our own Office, at least, the
expenses are not one dollar less than they
were two years aga The prices Of some
articles consumed IN our business are less,
and others higher than then, and take all
together, the expenses are fully equal, while
the current receipts are much below. Thus
our friends can sec that reduction in prices
is not practicable, or prudent. With the
above statement of facts, and with this con.
clusion, we believe publishers in Oregon
willgenerally concur. Until the expenses
Of publishing are diminished, or until job-
bing and advertising receipts are vastly in
creased, the subscription price cannot be
reduced below its present point, $500 per
annum.
We have made plain and candid state
ment, to genuine friendship, and gener-
Gus public.
This may be fitting occasion TO remark
HpoA the subject of patronizing newspapers.
The advantage Of a well and ably conduct
ed newspaper to family, and to men oi
every class, can hardly be over estimated.
In America, not to take one or more gen.
eral newspapers, argues lack Of common
intelligence. In our country, they arc not
only the chroniclers Of daily events, histo'
ries OF the times, and exponents Of the pub
lie mind, but the press is an important lev
er in creating and guiding public opinion.
1t visits every freside, Office and counting
. room; is in the hands Of every reader, and,
untrammeled, its influence in popular gov
ernment, among a reading and intelligent
people, is unbounded John Quincy Adams
said, he "read the newspapers to be an in
telligent man." and no well informed man
can remain so-can keep up with the times,
without reading them. Neither can any
man keep up with the events of his own
State or section, without access to news
paper Of that section or State.
Still, in another respect, we hold that Q
man should purchase (or omit to- neWspa
pers as he would coffee, or any other arti
Gle: buy it, if he or bis family needs it, and
thinks it worth the price asked-if not, &c
without it. We hold that no man is undeI
more obligation to support paper he doei
not want, for himself or others, than he is
to opurehasc coffee or calico that he docs