The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-06-02
ssTrue as Preaching"

There are few men connected with the news
paper press of the West who have profted more
by the everyday practical experience of their
laborious profession, than has Mr.. Houghton OF
the Galena Advertiser. In noticing the discon-
tinuance of the Alton Telegraph, he gets of
the following true and sensible remarks. They
arc we'll worthy the attention of editors and
readers everywhere:
The ALTON TELEGIAPH.-We are not little
surprised to see notice that the above paper
has been discontinued, or in other words, has
been transferred to the Courier, which is now
the only paper published in Alton. The Tele.
graph was established twenty years ago, by Mr.
Edward Breath, now printer in Oroomiah
Persia. 1t soon after fell into the hands of j
Baillache, Esq, who retired from it last year
1t was always Wing paper, faithful and true
and we are sorry that we shall see its face NO
more. The reason given for the dscOntnuance
is the overshadOwing influence of the st. Louis
press. The Courier is a Republican sheet, and
is conducted with ability.
There is rapid change going on in the news
paper world, which is being fastened by the
one idea Of money making, which is insinua-
was formerly the ease, that fame, or the love
Of peculiar kind of excitement, or the idea of
some party, sect or condition would be a suffi-
cient influencing motive to urge men to embark
in an occupation which has always been regard
ed as of the most hazardous and trying charac-
ter, as far as pecuniary profit is concerned
These operating causes were often OF the no.
blest character, and have swayed with power
stronger than even love OF life ITSELF In look
ing back coolly and considerably on the past
all things do not appear precisely as they did
Al hp mi when 10 w mil IF
try was racked with passion and excitement
but that the conductors of the Wing Press were
generally sincere and unselfsh, we affirm
.Noneynsaking for themselves, was not their
leading object
A change has taken place of late years, and
we will not say that it is not for the better. Ed
itors and publishers of newspapers begin to in.
quire, does PUBLIC MARTYRDOM PAY, unless the
end to be attained is surely worth the sacrifice:
Unless some vital principle is at stake, they
conclude to place the business of newspaper
printing in the same category with other pro
fessions-if it gives them living they some
times follow it; if it does not, they feel at full
liberty to quit it, In dealing with others, il
their purchases printers find the rule of dollars
and cents something more than proverb o.
maxim, and to certain extent they fall int
the plan themselves, aud adopt it as reality
in what they have to sell to others. It likewis,
requires large amount of money in the way
Of investment to prosecute our business sue
cessfully, and unless this provision is made
the life of the enterprise is short. Printers, O
late, are found to have consciences, and they
are not permitted to worship on the Sabbath
in an easy frame of mind, if they have not pait
off their workmen Saturday night. AS for con
versation between printers and paper-makers
it is carried on in mOnosyllables, and all joke
are prohibited. In short, our craft are gettin,
to behave more and more like other folks in thl
way Of Giving and let live" and after tryins
every other way, We give in our testimony
that this new way to them, is the best way
Just in proportion as we live up to the rule, d.
we entertain lively hope of being 1NDEpExp
ENT. without the continual hazard of self.im
notation.