Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-12-20
The True Basis for Newspaper Sue

DIR. Prime, writing in the New York OBJ
server, says In 1864 the Public Ledger, a
daily penny paper, was for SALE and MIR.
George W. Childs ought it. He converted
it at once. This is The point, and for this only
is this letter written. Mr.. Childs excluded
from the paper all details of disgusting crime
all reports of such vices as may not be with
propriety read aloud in the family, that poison
the minds of young men, intiame the passions
and corrupt the heart all scandal and slang,
and that whole class of news which constitutes
the staple of many daily papers. The same.
rule was applied to the advertising columns,
and from them was excluded all that, in any
shape or form, might be offensive to good
morals The friends of the new publisher
predicted an early and total failure, and the
more speedily because he doubled the price
of the paper and increased the rates of adver-
tsing. But he was governed in his course
by two considerations FIRST he had his own
strong convictions of what is right, and sec
ondly, as strong convictions of what would
pay and it has been well said that when ones
views of duty coincide with his pecuniary in
terests, all the faculties work in perfect har-
mony. The effect of this sudden change was
at first to sink the sinking concern still lower.
A class of readers and advertisers fell of
less conscientious man would have staggered
in the path he had marked. Not so with Mr..
Childs. He employed the best talent and
paid fair wages for good work. He publish
ed six days in the week only, and ON the sew
enth day he rested from his labors. His pa
per and his principles began to obtain recog-
milton in the city. He made it a family jour
nal 1t gained the confidence of the best peo-
Pile, who became its daily readers, and there
fore it was sought as the best medium of ad-
vertisng. am afraid to say what the ledger
of Mr. Childs shows Mt the close of every day
as the fruit of his labors. And the reason
why 1 fear to state it is this Some two
months ago. in writing of the relations of cap
ital TO labor, and the obligations of rich men
to the poor, mentioned the name of very
wealthy and excellent friend whose income
had been reported at one thousand dollars
day. That allusion of mine to him and lIis
income brought 10 him one thousand letters
| was mortified to learn that / had so many
such readers but on moments reflection
saw that the statement, being copied into
hundreds of newspapers, reached thousands
of people who never read my letter. Still
was the innocent cause of this inhictiOn upon
good man of one thousand impertinent
epistles Such would be the fate of Mr..
Childs We're his income to be known. But
my object would not be reached if / did not
add that the success of the Ledger on the
principles of its proprietor and in defiance Of
the predictions of his friends is without any
equal in the history of daily newspaper enter
prise in this or any other country. There
may be one paper in this city that yields a
larger revenue than the Ledger of Philadel-
| phia. But with this exception, Mr.. Childs Gt
is believed) has the most profitable daily
newspaper in the United States. And it is
more prosperous now, in the midst of all the
present prostration of business, than at any
previous period. 1t has been in his hands
fourteen years. and its net profits are already
seen in the accumulation of millions of dol
lars Mr.. Childs has verified in his expert
ence the prophecy of the wisest of ancient
monarchs, who said, ''seest thou a man dill
kings" Mr.. Childs is the acknowledged
friend and guest of the most dignifed men at
home and abroad, and with singular mOdesty
enjoys the distinction which he has won sole
| ly by means that would be esteemed hOnora-
BILE and virtuous if they had not also been
crowned with the irresistible charm of grand
| success. And 1 do not know that a more
wholesome lesson can be written for the en-
couragement of young America. Mr.. Childs
seeks no office, covets no mans wealth, pays
his debts, gives to the poor, in his own way
| (no begging letters noticed), is generous in
all the relations of public and private life, and
| enjoys the esteem and friendship Of the best
men in the world. That is a rounded life.
| He is not yet fifty years of age, and we may
well trust that a career of brilliant usefulness
and honor is before him in the line Of jour
nalism, which he has chosen to illustrate and
! adorn.