The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-01
THE sroxr ar n .vEu.s1'xPEx
a Rare Case of journalistic Success fn
our uOIcsrfne .uefrOpOifs.
A LITTLE INSIDE HISTORY IN REGARD TO TIE
DETROIT EVENING NEWS. ANNA

Corresp ondence OF the Wyandotte Courier:
DETROIT. November sth.-While 80 many
Newspaper ventures turn out disastrous fall
ures, il seems wonderful the success that the
little Evening News OF this city has achieved,
and all in the short period OF but little over
three years. When In the summer OF 1873 the
paper was first announced, no one supposed II
could possibly succeed, and some OF the most
experienced journalists of this city predicted
that it's founder, Mr.. James +. Scripps, would
IN few months sink on 1t all he had made in
the Tribune in fourteen long years. IT was
started. too. just before the disastrous money
panic OF which the country has not even yet
ceased to feel the effects. But the paper was
from the first we'll received. In ELK months it
wac paying expenses. In 1874 1t returned a
good remunerative profit, and this understand
las since increased year by year till Is doubtful
Z any Detroit paper is now doing better fnan-
clally.
What have been the causes of this remarka-
BE success, your readers will naturally inquire.
Well, first think it was because the enterprise
wac managed by one who thoroughly under
stood his business. This 10 always an lmpor-
tant element of success, and nowhere more so
than in the precarious business OF newspaper
publishing. The low price OF the paper also no
doubt had great influence in securing for 1t
its large circulation. These are times when the
difference between two cents and five cents Is
10 the great mass OF the population an impor-
News furnishing itself from the outset with
machinery capable Of printing as many papers
as would be likely, under any circumstances, to
be called for. IT'S fast rotary press turns out
regularly from 900 to 10, 600 papers per hour,
and has, in emergencies been run even at the
rate Of 10000 copies. Thus while the papers
using the old fashioned fiat bed presses have
been able to supply only limited number OF
sheets, even when important news has created
a demand for papers, the Evening News has
been able to throw upon the market in short
winters afternoon from 1000 to 20, 600 copies,
and has issued in one afternoon as many as 81
600 copies.
But the most important agency in populariz-
ing and building up this journal has been the
ability OF the publishers to employ large edi-
torial staff, and to pay such salaries as should
command q superior grade OF literary skill and
they have been fortunate in thus securing q
valuable corps OF writer's. The theory OF Its
managers is to print as little possible that is
not strictly first class. Every paragraph must
contain merit, either in the solid information it
conveys or in the spice and humor with which
il sparkles. 1t is this careful conscientious
journalism which makes the News readable to
all classes and causes it to be 30 much sought
utter.
Mr.. j. E. Scripps, who is his own managing
editor, has just commenced his twentieth year
OF continuous journalistic work. He is ably as
sisted by Mr.. nj. Almy Goodrich, recently OF
the Boston Globe. Mr.. f. II. Burgess is the
the wide-awake news editor OF the concern, and
MIR. Gil. X. OsmuD, formerly OF the Saginaw
Republican, the sprightly state editor. Mr.. M.
j. Dee, whose keen satire has made the local
columns 30 much read and feared. will, it is
understood. this winter act as Washington cor
respondent. Mr.. r. Il. Ross, one of the most
original, humorous and polished writer's on the
Detroit press will probably be located in Lam
eng, and II he is, something beyond the ord-
narly dull, prosy reports OF legislative pro-
I.x.xo ha lnnIy aI for l.,
together, the news maintains a regular editorial
and reportorial staff OF from ten to twelve per-
sons, besides host or outside correspondents
BESIDES all this array OF journalistic talent,
may, at the risk OF revealing secret, mention
that circle Of leading men in politics. litera-
ture and science, approaching the immense cir
cClation or the paper, and the opportunity 1t az
i0rds them for gaming the public ear, have en-
gagged to contribute articles for the paper during
The coming year, SO that the News is becoming
paper OF rare literary merit
The publishers are Just now procuring new
outfit OF type, and intend for the coming year
to have as handsome paper as rs published IN
the state. simultaneously with this renewed
vigor OF editorial management, they will make
an effort to bring the circulation, which during
tne political campaign has ranged from 10, 900
10 10000 copies daily, up to round 70, 900, and
this l have little doubt they will accomplish
with the paper they are planning to furnish.
The Office OF the News Is situated on Shelby
street, within few yards Of the Office OF the
Post, the Tribune, the Commercial Advertiser,
and the Michigan Farmer. II is low, stray
Cling building, part OF brick and part Of wood,
very DIRTY from the coal smoke of the neghbor-
ing Offices and from the dirty paws of the hun
dreds OF newsboys which throng the vicinity.
Inside, the premises, except the pressroom, are
cramped and inconvenient. and the necessity of
a new and enlarged building is seriously felt.
Is erection cannot be much longer postponed,
indeed l believe is already talked Of, and in con-
nection with il an even faster press than the
one now used, is looked forward to.
GREENBACK.