Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-11-04
THE HERALD.
Heavy PrinlIss Exposes Estimates gMl TIsEsIias.

send me yoar paper and dollars worth Of
blank deeds, mortgages and other blanks.
sueA as you think wiIlnaed, aud tie first
time come 10 Lancaster wiILpsy you.
Yours truly,
REMARKs.-Ws do not intend to raise
The price Of the Herald nor our usual
rates for printing the coming year, for
these reasons; we have on hand enough
stock, purchased at old ra les, to last us
over one year from this date, including
$3.50 worth Of printing paper and $500
worth Of stock for job work and have
them all paid for in full.
The above note caused us to think upon
the times as affecting the printing business,
and as newspapers have becore SO indis-
pensibe 10 the plibIit we add as follows for
information.
Most printers buy their stock along as
they want to use it, aud are therefore sab
ject to such prices as rule from time to
time. The cost Of printing stock has al
ready increased fully SO per cert. since
last year. It is certain the expenses Of
printing will continue TO increase, as there
are several articles largely used which have
not yet risen, as type and inks. The Use
upon printing paper.i already so per cent;
upon flat cap and other jobbing papers,
card board, &c, near the same, and upon
oils, glue, lights &C., still the same, with
threatened rise to come. Wages Of prin-
tiers, boarding and fuel have all slightly
risen and must keep on thu upward grade
till the turn Which is yet far ahead. There
is nothing to offset all this but plentiful
ness Of money and somewhat prompt pay
ments. Business has not increased.
The cost Of blank printing paper and
ink was formerly about go cents per year
for each subscriber. This was average cost
for many years for sheet Of the size we
print. The present cost Of paper and ink
is about 90 cents per yeas for each sub
scrber, nothing counted for wear Of type
and presses.
Upon the old basis ofcost Of stock, com
petition among printers brought down the
price Of newspapers and printing to the
very lowest; indeed, the margin was moth
ing and had to be filed up with other
profits. Almost the entire profits ofnews-
papers were those arising from advertising
the job work of a country printing office
rarely paying much above the cost oflabor
and materials in the jobbiag department.
A usual estimate was made in this way
the circulation on subscription and the job
work are a set-of against labor and stock,
leaving the advertising for support Of cd
itor and family. The estimates rarely
hold good as the rents, interest upon Capt.
tai and Wear Of type are not taken into &c
count
AT present rates Of stock, &c, at least
MALT the income from advertising must 60
to fill up deficiencies in other departments
and incases whore the receipts for adyer-
Using fall fellow $1,000 per annum, Ill
will be absorbed, b ever economically
managed.
There remains ther4 )re but two resorts
for country newspaper propretors--indeed,
city .proprietors Of newspapers may be in
cuded; to increase charge rates, or aban
don the ship. The latter il unnecessary to
discuss as the facts will speedily be felt and
the results follow Consolidation, may re-
lieye in most eases, If parties are willing.
AS TO the other resort, Of all means con
nccted with the management Of printing
office, one If tie most difficult il to raise
the charges for work Che paper advortises
itself vearal year at $3.50 stray notices
and other notices Of Ike space 81 30 for
three or feur weeks; professional cards
$500 per year, and for one square Of SIX
lines $500 per year. Such charge rates
become fixed upon the public mind, and
to raise them would be raising Ned all
over the country; besides, the law fixes
the rates for legal advertising and this
cannot be raised
The custom is to advertise gratis for
all religious, educational benevolent and
semi benevolent associations, notvithstand
inc the heads in charge of such make con
siderable money thereby. The custom il
also to advocate gratis the claims Of and
defend the mischievous assaults upon
friendly official persons, as well as deal un
sparingly against pa ty enemies. These
are generally thank ess jobs. but seem nee
saiy; requiring much time and tact Of ed
itors, as well as great wear and tear Of con-
science, and Icing causes Of unpopulafity,
there ought TO he some remuneration, but
custom denies and that's the e,.d. So we
see no way 10 balance The losses to which
publishers are fated by these rising times.
Much Of what we have written apple
as well to most other busnoss--al such rs
depends in great part upon the pubic
goodwill or intelligent necessity.
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