Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1879-10-09
NeMspaper Patronage !.

There appears to be many different
ways of understanding the true mean
ing of newspaper patronage, as it is
called, and, as an interested party,
we give place to a disquisition on the
subject by one who knows whereof he
speaks. 1t will serve as mirror,
perhaps, where certain persons may
see themselves as others see them.
Many long and weary years have
forced the CONJUNCTION upon us that
newspaper patronage is a word of
many definitions, and that a great
majority of mankind are either igno-
rant of the correct definition or are
dishonest in strict biblical sense of
the word. Newspaper patronage is
composed of as many colors as q
rainbow, and is as changeable as
chameleon.
One man comes in and subscribes
for paper and pays for it in advance,
and goes home and reads it with proud
satisfaction that it is his. He hands
in his advertisement, asks the price,
pays for it, and .goesto his place Of
business and ,reaps the, advantage
thereof. Another man says you may
put my name on your books, aud
goes otfwlthout 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 a passion, perhaps pays, perhaps
not, and orders his paper stopped.
This is called newspaper patronage.
Another man brings in a fitty-eent
advertisement and wants two-dollar
notice. given it, and if you refuse he
soes. off mad. And this 10 newspaper
patronage.
Another man lives near you-he
does not take the paper---he don't
like the editor-the paper is too small
| fof him-yet he goes regularly to his
neighbbr and borrows it, and quarrels
with the opinion of the editor. Oc-
caslonally he sees an article he likes !;
he begs, or gives half dime for
the number. This is called newspa-
per 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 a cheerful word for the
editor. If any little item of interest
occurs in the neighborhood, he in
forms the editor. This is newspap .r
patronage. . .-i a
Another man has PATENT and
wants you to give it two-dollarl no.
tice every week; it will be of interest
to your readers, he says but
although knowing it will benefit him
most of all, he does not offer to q pay
for it. This is called newspaper pat
ronage. =,
Another man has taken. the paper
for several years, but. has not paid
for it, and comes in with a four or
five dollar advertisement and asks YOU
to insert it for nothing, because ,be is
an old patron of yours. This is call
ed newspaper patronage.
. Another man-s'a young man about
, town. no use of tahing o paper, he
knows all there is.goipg, ON. By and
by he gets married, and, hands in II
notice with 'just give dozen copies .
= He gets them, and when you mention
!, pay looks surprised-l''yoti surely
don't charge for such! a ,thiIgs'hl And
this is called newspaper patronage
|, Now, isn't newspaper patronage a
, curious thing 2 Aid In that great day
,when tile gentleman in black get. his
t dues, ashe sursly will,i hbw :ihan5 Of
!. the patrons .enupeEatesf above will
!. fail to his share? NoY, ia will be seen
8 I:that while certain kinds OF. patronage
{ fIlafe tile very life aid existepce, of .
newspaper,i there are other kinds Uf
i patronage that are more destructive
|, than the deadly night, shade.l.o lG7, +