Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-06-29

TO inc IjfcS6ub blluSs AuOAO OOPAOD VI
that book. of divine inspiration,
have been issued from the press than
any other of the many and excellent
books that have ever been published.
An invention whose first production
has proved of such vast Importance
to mankind and the world in all sub
seauent time, as has this great and
GOOD book, could not fail of success
The art was sanctioned by the Almigh-
ty at its commencement, and its course
has been and will ever continue to be
onward and upward, In all that tends to
the education, civilization aud prepare
ton of the human race, not only
for its comfort and happiness in this
life. but in the life to come.
In the time allotted me on this occa-
sion 1 propose, briefly, to consider the
subject of Newspapers of the United
States-their infuence-and the re-
sponsibility of their conductors as edu-
Gators OF the public mind" If, in the
discussion of this subject, l shall claim
more for our profession than may
seem to belong to it, or in any way
magnify the importance of the newspa-
per press, it must be attributed TO an
enthusiastic devotion sOf thirty-five
years to the printing business, and to
the fact, that at no moment of this
time, have L ever regretted having Civ
en- life to so noble calling.
1t is less than two hundred years
since the first newspaper WAS estab-
lished In the colonies now comprising
the United States. This was started
in Boston, in 1890. It's publication
was Immediately declared contrary "a
law. and it contained reflections of a
very high nature" It was doubtless
suppressed at once, as there is no
knowledge that second number even
appeared. 1t would be amusing to
editors of the present day--since re-
Elections have become cOmmon-to look
over this precious number, and learn
what were deemed reflections of sc
high a nature" as to demand the imme-
date suppression of the paper. The
same rule applied at the present time,
wOuld doubtless reduce the newspapers
of the country to an extremely limited
number,
The second paper was the Boston
News Letter, established in 1904
This journal was continued till l776.--
Pennsylvania was the second colony in
which newspaper was published
American Weekly Mercurie, III
Philadelphia, in 1921; and in 1875 he
began the publication of the New
York Gazette, the first newspaper is.
sued In that city. 1t was not long be-
fore Benjamin Franklin, the patron
saint of American printers, established
a paper, against the advice of friends,
who deemed the enterprise hazard
Gus, as there were already two other
papers In the country. The number
of papers increased slowly for some
time, and at the beginning of the pre-
sent century, there were not probably
In the United States, as many as are
now published in our own state of
Wisconsin, yet in its minority. The
increase from 1900 to 1910, was quite
large; and the census of the latter year,
reports the number in the United
States, at 359-27 of which were dailies
In 1880 the number was estimated at
1000; in 1910, it had reached 1851; in
1850, $500, with an annual circulation
of 426, 400, 978, copies. In 1860. the
number was 410S. with a circulation
more than double that of 1850. IN pro-
portion TO the number published. The
number of papers have largely iDcreas-
ed since 1860, and the circulation dur
ing the late war, and ever since, has
been more than double what it was at
that time.
have thus glanced at the history
and progress of the newspapers of the
United States, as it must be known, to
fully appreciate the immense influence
they have upon the affairs of the world.
While it may not be necessary in the
discussion of our theme, to make any
reference to the progress of newspa-
pers In this state, yet feel that little
depression will be excused. that few
words may be thrown in on that sub
ject. shall not go into any extended
history of the press of Wisconsin, but
cannot refrain from instituting a com
parisOn between the condition of news
papers in our state twenty years ago,
and at the present time. The first pa
per established, in what is now the
state of Wisconsin, was the "Green
Bay Intelligencer, in December, 1888,
by Suyadam Il Ellis. Mr.. S. occupied
the position of publisher but few
weeks, but Mr.. Ellis continued with
the paper, with varied success, aud
several changes of partners, till 1887.
In 1858, Mr.. Ellis resumed his
connection with the press of the
state, establishing "The Pinery, F"
at Stevens Point, with which
he remained till 1859. Though not now
connected with the press of the state,
we can still hail as a brother, active in
labor, robust in health, vigorous in in
tellect and cheerful in spirit, the man
who conducted the first paper in Wis
cOnsin. When we look at what has
transpired since that time the number
of papers that have since been estab-
lished; the many now In existence; the
vastness of our population and wealth,
and the extent of our improvements, it
seems almost impossible that such can
be the case. Another view renders it
quite possible to me. Only thirty four
years have elapsed since the establish
ment of that first paper, while thirty
five years have passed away since he,
who now speaks to you, entered upon
thu dntias of n printing office, and du-
ring that whole period, with a brief in
terval, has been constantly connected
with that business, and rejoices in the
hope that he has yet many years of act
i've life to devote to the same glorious
calling.
But it was more particularly my pur-
pose at this time, to refer to the papers
and their editors, as they existed when
we became connected with the press of
Wisconsin. The early history of the
press OF the state has been pretty fully
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