The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-04-28


try was engaged in dangerous war, and that
the old political organs could not be dis
pensed with until it's conclusion. The
stupendous organization Of such . paper,
for instance, as the London Times, affords in .
time OF political excitement means of salts
flying the public esgerness for news which,
without the aid that cheap press possesses
here in the shape of advertisements, the latter
would in England fail in presenting. Until,
therefore, it is successfully demonstrated that
penny paper can be rendered as interesting
to the public and as remunerative to its pro-
jectors as high priced one, the results Of the
abolition Of the stamp duties cannot be said to
be fairly proved. The experiments which have
lately been made in London must not, for these
reasons, be considered as testing accurately
the commercial results of the measure. In the
first place they were nearly all set on foot with
out capital; and in the second, they had to
contend against the wealthiest newspaper mo
nopolies in the world, at time when the cri-
teal circumstances in which England found
herself left her but little disposed to accept
new vehicles of opinion. The conclusion Of
peace has removed one Of these Obstacles; the
saeaci0us efforts Of the leaders Of the demo
cratic party will speedily overcome the other
They have recently, we understand, collected
. fund amounting to 100000, for the pur-
pose Of establishing penny daily papers
in London and eight or ten large
cities. R. collecting the success which attend
ed the exertions Of the Anti Corn Law party,
there 10 no doubt that this sum can be raised
to half million sterling in the course of the
year. The Subscribers to this fund will derive
. fair return from the investment ia case the
speculation succeeds OF this we ourselves do
not entertain the least question, provided, Of
course, the plan is properly worked out. We
have the results OF our own experience to
enide US to conclusion in the matter.
In 1880 the press Of the United States was
pretty much in the same CONDITION as that of
EDglond. The old monopolies had it all their
own way, giving but small value for hig b price
The cheap press started into existence between
1880 ard 1885, and in twenty years it has OBJ
tanned the vantage ground over old journals
and old politicians. 1t could not have done
this had it been confined TO the profits Of its
circulation; but its projectors ssv that they
had before them mine of wealth which until
then had been entirely unexplored by their
predecessors, and which would fully sustain
the enterprise. The cheap press Of America
called into existence q new class Of adver-
tisers and business It created, in part,
as it progressed, the resources from
whence it derived its support. This power
Of vivifying whatever it touched, con-
stituted the secret Of its independence and in
huence. Without it could not exist, except
on the plan Of the old party papers, which
lived on contributions. The same principle,
if properly worked, will conduct the cheap
press Of Great Britain to as important and pro-
ftable results. In each large town through
out the three kingdoms there can be estab-
hshed in the course Of o short time, penny
(sterling) daily, Of from 10000, to $4,000 cir
culation, supported by advertisements that will
yield from $4,000, to 5000 income, if mana
ged with discretion. They will call into ex-
istence quite new class Of advertisers and
readers, who will become in their turn formi-
dable power in the State.
But we repeat, the financial condition Of
the penny papers must be placed on
secure footing before their political infu-
ence can be established. Without that they
would be unable to struggle against their
high priced rivals. 1t is the failure Of en-
terprises without capital which has already
led to go much disappointment amongst the
advocates of a cheap press. The promoters Of
the new movement are taking the proper steps
to meet this difficulty. They will succeed in
their object if they bring proper energy and
business tact to bear upon it. There is one
thing, it should be added, which would sweep
away great many difficulties from their path,
and that is the enlargement of the electoral!
basis from 100000 to 100000 votes. With
such constituency to appeal to, the cheap
press of Great Britain would in time become
almost as powerful political lever as that of
.he United States.
A H.