Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-07-03
THE REASON WHY.


THE REASON WHY.
Some weeks ago, We discussed the res
ponsib' ''ity Of those who publish and those
who suppo. periodicals and newspapers,
whose influence for evil is unmistakeable
We now propose to give a few reasons why
50 many Of our local papers particularly, are
Of so vicious a character as to be an actual
bane instead Of u blessing, to the commu-
mites in which they circulate, and at the
same tine suggest a remedy for this alarm
:ug cyi. TaEngit for granted, though it
Is not always the case, that the man who
begins the publication of a paper, has ascer-
tanned that there is really want existing in
the community which it WI supply, ard
that his intention is as it should be- to
benefit the community as well as himself;
the first question that demands solution,
in It's practical working. is how TO make it
pay 1t is plain question cf dollars and
cents that cannot be stunned or avoided.
It's solution depends upon the number OF
paying subscribers and the amount of fair,
honest uno'leetiana6la advertising that can
beobtained al atrcmuncrative rates. Upon these
two points rests IN great part the solu-
'oh OF 'nl' nnancial question: Is upon and
oepenas tAe eal'or $ bread and butter Now
Whatever man moral character however
sIolcai his disposition or however high and
noble ms AIMS tor hmseF and his commu-
mty' when his s"hse- 5ers drop of because
they can get a larger city paper, full ofpo-
ee reports and blood and thunder tales, for
the same price they are obliged to pay for
their local paper and when the adyer-
tising patronage, which he is entitled to,
drops of because he asks living remuner-
alton Tor his services. when his ezchequer
las and ms pocket book is empty, his credit
''" ana ms iaFder lean he Is a man ofrare
COZ age who WI not be. tempted, and give
way 70 'he temptation too to admit improp-
or and vicious advertisements into his col
uliiLs' "nen tempted with the offer Of the
ready cash he so much needs or on the 9th
er hand to MI his reading columns with
murders adultelies, police reports, and the
most vicious Of sensation tales, in order to
increase his failing LIST Of subscribers.
lhese are the daily temptations TO which
nine-'eatha OF the editors and proprietors of
io'1 papers are exposed, What wonder
'ncn that 50 many fail to make their papers
'i-' channels OF useful and instructive in
formation IN ali branches Of uso.ll knowl-
Su7' ana culture and their advertising col
Inns ''-' -leiiunl loF bringing together the
ag - v anu SO-''i 'l those thlrgs alone which
= ''-ou.i'e to the benefit Of both?
% o''S' upon the presump-
'lO' '-'.' i'o D,''i' Is h0cd for the response
bic position Of an editor who has not given
both time and money to the preparation of
himself for the duties Of his position; his
I1i'1,',,i''re ~ ,,.-. has need 70 be great and
ms i9llilins as extensive and his labor vii
no % la.
vi r'O'g ''oo0as than that Of the
teacher the lawyer or the minister Of the
gospel, and his support should be fully as
liberal The remedy for the evils mention
ed is n the hands Of the patrons Of the
press in every locality. In many places the
evil arises from the excess of local papers.
Some aspiring village must have its own
newspaper or some novice imagines the