The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-07-29
About Daily Newspapers.

The New York Joundfof Commerce,
dwelling on the fact that during the
past thirty five years no less than City.
five daily papers have been started in
the city Of New York, lived for short
time, andt died for want of adequate
support, after having sunk millions of
dollars, moralizes in this instructive
vein;
"Tho reason why not more than one out OF
(say) fifty daily newspapers succeed are not
generally understood. II they were, instances
would be fewer of the sinking OF fortunes ia the
unayailing attempt to found daily--a waste of
money as literal and complete as Ii the owner
had burned II In his parlor crate.
The first and greatest Of difficulties is the
want OF sufficient means. Upon this point,
which has been frequently elucidated We will
barely touch. To run a tirst-class daily and
only such stands the least chance of surviving
In the struggle for existence) costs not far from
81, GOO day, even with moderate circulation.
This rate Of expenditure takes irightful daily
bites out Of the capital and, unless the pro-
iector has the purse OF Stewart, Aston or
Vanderbilt, he cannot stand the inrOad upon
his funds for many months or weeks or days
Among professional newspaper men In this city
the cash in hand required to give first.class
newspaper a chance ot life, is estimated at from
half to three-quartcrs Of million, Its fail
ure, without such a sum at its back-which II
is prepared to invest boldly and sagaciously--
Is certain. ltssuccess after the money has been
all spent, in the wisest and most judicious man
ner, is still highly pruhlematical. Unless all
the circumstances favor the undertaking--if
there is weakness or want Of tact developed at
any stage OF it-no amount of money can put
new daily paper In profitable operation in this
city. The failing newspapers are usually
brought up with round turn before many tens
of thousands have been sunk. The hackers be-
come alarmed-and back out. II the new con-
Germ is O stock company, the subscribers to
shares pay but one or two of the assessments,
and then forfeit what they have invested rather
than lose more, Only in few cases are men
so plucky-or perhaps we should say SO foolish
--as to go on wasting real half million, before
abandoning their ill-adyised newspaper scheme.
Encouragement and disgust commonly super
vene by the time that $50 600 or $780, 600 have
vanished in the yawnlng gulf"
The editor then goes on to show that
the newspaper business differs from
most others in the fact that when once
fairly established it can be Indefinitely
extended, with no risk and but little
extra trouble, and then adds:
" The most promising fields of irst-class daily
newspapers being already occupied, no new
journal can command great success, excep.
by taking away some subscribers from other
papers. This Is very difficult thing to do
II never can be done except In cases where the
paper to be supplauted wantonly aud pcrsis-
tenuy neglccts the interest or abuses the CONT
dence OF its subscribers. SO long rs il pursues
a just, honorable and judicious course, meeting
the wants Of its customers in all or most respects
the ties Of friendship between the subscribers
and the paper are as hard to break by any out
side third party as the links which bind old
friends in business or social life. Occasional
defects and errors, il such there be, In news
paper, are overlooked by those who have be-
come attached to it through its daily porusal
for years. They may sometimes become dis
satisfied with IL ON account of something which
has slipped into its columns, and may stop tax
ing II but the absence OF the familiar sheet at
their house or Office for few days becomes an
insupportabe deprivation, and they hasten to
take 1t again, and possibly to apologize for
having stopped 1t. This we believe TO DO a
common experience in the history Of all estab-
lished newspapers. No friendship on earth l..
more constant than that contracted by the
reader for journal which makes an honest and
earnest effort to merit his continued support"