The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-03-19
(,o,res,ondeuce of tie Jefersonian.
SCRANTON. PA. March 18th, 1874


noting some of the many branches of manutac-
ture that combine to give this third city of the
State, its thrift, wealth and marvellous growth,
but not being well enough posted in statistics
to do this understandly, I have concluded TO
postpone the task until another and more IA
vorable season. And | do not see that 1t mat
ters much as those are subjects that cannot
spoil by keeping.
What + conceive Of greater Importance than
manufactures in place, large or small, are Its
newspapers These, as rejecting both the cal
ibre and tastes of the people, are certainly the
best indexes to the vim of those same people;
, and it is from the appearance and spirit OF
these that one can better judge of the prosper
itv of place than from anything else. must
confess that Scranton is abundantly blessed In
this way-both in the number and the quality
of its newspaporial exponents. 1t boasts two
daily and three weekly papers in the English
language, one weekly German and one weekly
Welch paper.
) Of the Dailies the Scranton Republican takes
the lead in point of age as well as in point of
i expenditure in its get up. The paper as well
: as the building in which it is printed, is under
the proprietorship of Joseph A Scranton, Esq.
!, The building which is one of the finest and
best proportioned specimens of architecture In
| town, is of yellow Milwaukee brick with
granite trimmings and including the base
ment is FIVE stories high. The basement is
devoted TO the Jobbing and Press department.
. The first floor is occupied by the Third Ma
tional Bank in front, and the business and
I proprietors private Offices in the rear. The
second floor is cut up into offices for rent and
= generally occupied as law ofices-the third
+ floor is book-bindery and the fourth floor
t contains the editorial and composing rooms
The arrangement throughout is excellent, and
every convenience necessary to render each
! floor perfect bijou for the purposes for which
it was intended has been secured without re-
gard to expense. The appointments of the
printing departments are all first class.
Of the characteristics of the Republican, il
is not SO easy to write. 1 think, however, the
: word ''ponderous" will far better express the
o style of its get up typographical, political and
II literary than the words eight" or "airy.
It's politics is republican, toned down some
: what by love for the stubborn ''ifs'' and
r "buts'' which act so readily for the easement
q Of editors who have penchant for indepen
q dence of action when men and measures dc
not exactly come up to their ideas of the true
o mark 1t was this which enabled it few
- years ago, without surprise to its readers, iC
. spit upon the nominations of 4 Republican
State Convention, and to continue the indul
gence of the luxury until almost the eleventh
hour of the campaign, when some unknown
but potent influence induced the editor t.
buckle on the harness and go to work for th'
cause. The staffof the Republican embrace
one principal editor, two assistants, one new
editor, and some FIVE reporters. On readin:
e over the paper one wonders, taking the paucit.
II reproduction in view, how so many find employ
y ment for their time. But they are certainl,
9r there and it is only on the hypothesis tha
7, editorial and reportorial labors are so wearing
|, and weakening that cause is apparent for thei
1t being there. The paper enjoys popularity ant
2, boasts circulation of some 5,000 this cit
if and Wilkes Barre being the principal point
r of demand. The Weekly Republican, bein
lr made up of the contents of the Daily is abund
ii antly noticed above.
r. The Daily Times is the organ of the democ
10 racy hereabouts, though it is said to have
IF republican paternity. The paper is NOR
10 sprightly in character than its cotemporary
70 and by portion of our citizens, is held i
;s greater esteem, though as an exponent of tn
vim and enterprise of the city it is some dt
grees behind it. 1t is the larger paper of tn
!. two, but its contents are neither so varied no
:, so well put together. A. A. Chase, Esq,
the manager of the Times, editorial and Other
, wise. The names Of its proprietors, howeve
y are buried in the mystery of silence which
= will not attempt to penetrate. The circulatio
~ of the Times is said to have reached 1900.
ie OF the Weeklies the Scranton Journal take
G. precedence in point of age, if we except th
at Republican. The paper is published by ii
at Brothers Benedict makes no pretention
OF being an extraordinary specimen of journa
a ism, but is really very excellent paper
ol is neatly printed but 1 cannot say that ha,
I'd special regard for taste which is pleased wit
Sc the quarto instead of "ye ancient folio forl
I'd of newspapers. The paper is well supports
tv The Sunday Morning Free Press, under II
M editorial management of - Koon, is printe
ID by an association of journeymen printers, ar
is in greater demand, probably, than any oil
~ er paper printed here. The topographic
u appearance of the Free Press is hardly up
- what should be looked for from an associate
10 of craftsmen, but it is readable, and beir
- much given to the sensational is much sougl
II after II is comical to note its effect upon Il
" population both great and small-patricis
% and plebeian. All affect to despise it, ar
y proclaim against it, yet all, after sigh
~ relief at finding themselves left ont in II
III present number, commence at once indulgir
sc an excitement of fear which bears them dow
al and only eliminates in relief on the appea
ance of the next number to find them treat,