The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-04-18
COL;UMBIA.,, s. G.
Saturday Morning. April ls, 1874.
The southern r=ess.3


prises at the South has recently elicited
discussion in several Of its journals.
The fact is apparent that they are far
behind the prosperity of journals in the
Northern cities. It is true even of
places in the two sections of not une-
quail population. It is worth while to
consider the views whioh prevail as to
the causes of this discrepancy. The
Mobile Register alleges the prime cause
to be that the Southern people do not
sustain their newspapers as it is their
plain interest to do. The Richmond
Dispatch comedies with this opinion,
and traces the lack Of enterprise.
charged on Southern journals, to want
OF support on the part of the people,
Others concur in this general statement
The Columbus Enquirer. in presenting
the contrast of Northern success and
Southern failure, urges that either from
want or Indifference, the Southern
whites, in proportion to their numbers,
do not read as extensively as they do in
the North and West, and glance at the
papers OF the respective sectiors will
show that the Southern merchants, with
few exceptions, do not appreciate the
Falue and Importance of advertising.
Another drawback to Southern journals
is the credit system, damaging their
business severely, as much in some cases
as thirty-three per cent. The Augusta
Consti!utionalisl confirms this conclusion,
saying, that sin Northern cites there
srevery few readers who do not pay for
their paper; the reverse is true of the
South. If merchants and subscribers
in this section supported their papers
with half the promptness and punctu-
asity that the same classes at the North
support their local journals, the news
papers at the South would equal those
aft th's regions beyond u.s." So much
Tor the fact and it's causes, as viewed
from the Southern standpoint.
The Louisville Courier. Journal, in
considering the matter, concludes that
the fault is not altogether with the peo-
pie. The newspapers of the South, it
says, lack both tho enterprise and tho
common sense adaptability, which,
added to industry, thrift and care, have
built up the great Northern journals.
The typical Southern editor harps too
exclusively upon politics. to the neglect
OF current news, miscellaneous informa-
tion and topics OF domestic. financial,
scientific, literary and social concern,
which, justly handled, add immensely to
the number of readers. including women
and children. But part of the fault
lies with the Southern merchant, who
needs lesson in enterprise. as we'll as
the newspaper manager or editor. The
power of the two. properly instr aoted,
when combined and working to one
end, is illustrated by reference to the
press and the growth OF Chicago. "The
press" it says. "has almost created
Chicago"
The facts of the small aud precarious
support of newspapers in the South
seem to admit of no doubt. The causes
mentioned are all true. There is a la.
mentable want of paying subscriptions
and profitable advertisements, and good
Judgment and vigorous administration
on the part of managers. as we'll as force
and variety on that of their writer's, it
may be freely conceded, do not always
exist. But, looking over the field, it
appears to rs that there are conditions
OF high Success connected with these
important particulars. which can but
rarely be found in our Southern COM
munities. To be prosperous, strong and
Independent, newspapers must make
money. To have the uso of talents and
accomplishment and the benefit of
energy and enterprise. they must have
the means Of paying for them well.
Only from large circulation, good adyer.
tising and strict management on bust
ness principles, can the proprietor's cx-
chequer be- made sufficiently plethorio
to meet the heavy demands upon it.
Circulation is dependent upon popula-