The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1878-07-19
Newspaper Patronage.

There appears to be many different ways
of understanding the true meaning of news
paper patronage, as it is called, and, as an
interested party, We give place to a disqui-
sition on the subject by one who knows
whereof he speaks. 1t will serve, perhaps,
as mirror where certain persons may see
themselves as others see them.
Many long and weary years have forced
the conviction upon us that newspaper pat
ronage is word of many definitions, and
that great majority of mankind are either
ignorant of the correct definition or are
dishonest in strict biblical sense of the
word. Newspaper patronage is composed
of as many colors as the ralubow, and is as
cha ngeable as chameleon.
One man comes IN and subscribes for a
paper and pays for it in advance, and goes
home and reads it with the proud satisfac-
tion that it is his. He hands in his adver-
tisement, asks the price. pays for it, and
goes to his place of business and reaps the
advantage thereof. Another man says you
may put my name on your books, and goes
off without saying word about pay. Time
passes on, and you want money, and want
him to pay you what is honestly due you.
He flies into passion, perhaps pays, per-
haps not, and orders his paper stopped.
This is called newspaper patronage.
Another man brings in fifty-cent adver
tisement and wants two dollar notice
given it, and if you refuse he goes off mad.
And this is newspaper patronage.
Another man lives near yon-he does not
take the paper-he don't like the editor
the paper is too small for him-yet he goes
regularly to his neighbor aud borrows it,
and quarrels with the opinion of the editor.
Occasionally he sees an article he likes he
begs, or gives half dime for the number.
This is called newspaper patronage.
Another man likes the paper and takes
copy for his family, and pays for it, and
does all he can to get new subscribers; he
never grumbles, but always has cheerful
word for the editor. If any little items Of
interest occurs in the neighborhood, he in
forms the editor. This is newspaper pat
ronage.
Another man has patent and wants
you to give it two-dollar notice every
week; it will be of interest to your readers
he says; but although knowing it will BEN
eft him most of all, he does not offer to
pay for it. ibis is called newspaper pat
ronage.
Another man has taken the paper for sew
eral years, but has not paid for it, and
comes in with four or fve-siollar adver-
tisement and asks you to insert it for moth
ing, because he is an old patron of yours.
This is called newspaper patronage.
Another man-"a young man about
town ''-no use of taking paper, he
knows all there is going on. By and by he
gets married, and hands in notice with
"just give dozen copies" He gets them
and when you mention pay looks surprised |
-syou surely don't charge for such a
thingr' And this is called newspaper pat
ronage.
Now isn't newspaper patronage curious |
thing? And in. that great day when the
gentleman in black gets his dues, as he |
surely will, how many of the patrons emu
merated above will fall to his share? Now
it will be seen that while certain kinds of |
patronage are the very life and existence Of |
q newspaper, there are other kinds Of pat
ronage that are more destructive than the |
deadly night shade. -Eg.