Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-02-24
HARD TIMES AND COUNTRY Pa.
PERS.

Inc boston Chr0nacte, IN an artlcle on
this subject, well remarks:
If people only knew the difficulties
newspaper publishers have to contend
with, just now, they would never want
to be dunned half dozen times for
such small amodnts as two or three or
four dollars. Labor, paper and ink have
to be paid for in cash. yet we doubt very
much whether there are any establish
ments which would be more than self
sustaining, if customers would only pay
what they owe, without taking from one
to two years to do it in.
If the press of the country gradually
declines, both in numbers. ability and
respectability, those who have abused
the leniency of the proprietors in the mat
ter of credits, will be alone to blame for
the unfortunate issue. And that such
will be the case we can easily foresee.-
The storm in the commercial world will
destroy the weakest and many of the
best of our newspapers. Men cannot
perform miracles, and printers have as
yet failed 10 discover any easier way of
satisfying paper-dealers and the cravings
of industrious workmen with anything
but the pelf. And how they are to get
this. when the people will not pay the
Printer, is mystery, particularly when
the banks don't accommodate country
newspaper proprietors. Few people have
any idea of the labor of an editor, his
trials and difficulties, at all times, but
particularly in times of monetary embar-
rasments. He is compelled, particular.
ly in country offices. to be the general
factotum of his establishment. Not on
ly has he to write for the benefit of the
public at all times, and under all circum-
stances-in sickness of body, and dis
tress of mind-to be at one meeting in
the day time and another at night-to
leave friends and family at the bid of
every passing circumstance in the pub
lie world of his own locality; not only
has he to do all this, and sacrifice COM
fort, health and domestic pleasures, but
he is compelled to work at the "case" in
every spare moment-to keep his own
books--to do bis own collecting; in short,
from mol.,ing TO night, from week to
week, and fro;u year to year, to labor
like a slave to provide himself and FAM
lily with bread. Anoi if he makes bare
living after all. he may be well satisfied,
hundreds do less-and few there are
th., ~ lore! Work their establish
man,. os ., cap as possible, live as frugal
and economical as ..'ey can' YET fe"
country publishers secIre q u'n p.Op
erty in a dozen years as an inu- ".Ou'
mechanic will do in half the time. l."
very nature of the newspaper business,
with its long credits and small profits, |
and bad debts, forbids anything like the
of wealth, and we have
very little hesitation IN saying that, had
our country brethren generally taken
their means and labor-their patience
and energy-to any other market than
the one they have found for them, they
would have this day been ten fold better
off in a pecuniary point of view, than
they are or have been, since they became
newspaper proprietors.
Let the public ponder these few SIM
pie truths well. and make up their minds
10 ease the laborious occupation of the
Printer, by paying him punctually what
be is honestly entitled TO.