Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-05-09

This may be considered somewhat
of |" privileged question" andwer rise
TO explain. When we began the
publication of the ExpERIMENT, the
principles upon which it was to be
conducted were distinctly stated
They we're believed to be founded
upon a just conception of the du-
ties and privileges of the undertake
ing as business venture. Hitherto,
" daily" newspapers in this place
had been merely free horses for any
thing and everybody TO ride at pleas
ure. The consequence was they were
ignominious failures. Our plan was
to exact a just remuneration for all
services rendered. It's business col
umns were to be regarded precisely
rs the wares of merchant on the
shelf, accessible to all alike and on
the same conditions. 1t was not ex-
pected NOR desired that anybody
should feel it obligatory to pufchqse
unless he felt that he would receive an
adequate return for the services rem
dered, nor have we ever attempted
to force our wares on unwilling pur-
chasers. So much 10y way of pre-
mise to what we have to say on the
I" point of order" raised by the
Courier.
The "Old Folks" are entitled to
credit for their endeavor to advance
= public object. 1t matters but lit
tie whether the public good or pri-
vate ambition was the real control
ing motive, or whether the mode Of
procedure was devised by the wis
dom of Soloman or the simplicity
of childhood. We must judge Of
these things as We do of all other
incidents thrt constitute the drama
of lie, and look on the brightest and
best side of human nature in all its
phases. When the management Of
the "gpeat event" contrary to GUS
tom IN this and every other.place
where daily paper is published,
stadiously ignored the ExPERnEsT,
1t was the privilege-nay the only
recourse for that unostentatious
little sheet 10 veil its eyes in humility
and abnegation. Amid its tribula-
tons, it reasoned thus: If this is
just reflex of public opinion, its mis-
sion is but delusion. II it's servi-
ces are not worth the bare pittance
enacted for them, it had better at
once be put in it's little bed, and sung
to sleep by the sweet iullabys Of the
Old Folks. To determine this grave
question it set trap. II published
half-s-aozen Mandatory lines of a por-
tion of the performance, and with
out a single word of adverse critic
ism, left . few inches of blank space,
which anybody who heard the con-
cert could FILL in TO suit himself.
The result soon settled the question
of the papers usefulness. 1t dem
onstrated just what we have always
believed. that a daily paper lis a
prime necessity in ever community
that possesses any Of the other re-
quis;tes for advancement. 1T has,
moreover, indicated that our list
of borrowers is Of unusual length,
their being about ten self-constitut-
cd critics who indulge in cuss words
at its utterances, TO each bona fde
subscriber; and not the least remark
able fact elected was that the loud
est condemnation came from those
who have never paid . cent towards
the maintsnanos Of the paper in any
manner. We are not at all SUR
prised either at the degree Of inn
portance attached to onr comments
or the vindictive spirit Of those
whose pride seems to he 80 much
touched simply at an omission to
trumpet their praises II is hui
man nature. we presume, and must
be tolerated as any other idiosyn-
Grassy Of the intellect.
Ons word, in conclusion. regard
ing the z complimentary" tickets,
upon which 20 much stress has been
placed by one or two Of our friends.
They will buy neither food NOR cloth
ing. and they are OF triAing value
compared with the services expected
IN return. The boy who :" goes ii"
on tho base drum. and the child Of
~. a