The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-09-18
THE NEWSPAPERs AND TIE
PARRY LIZA DERS.

THE NEWSPAPERS AND THE
Parry Liza DERS.
/, costs money TO set type, and some
body must pay for il; and they who
take airiDgs in newspapers should al
ways provide travelling expenses. We
cannot print personal matter for the
high OF low, or speeches for real or
imaginary Statesmen, or resolutions for
public or private meetings, unless the
money accompany the request. Before
the war the production of newspapers
cost one-hslf less than to-day, and edi-
tors worked for nothing. They un-
dertook everything that concerned the
public. II the "dear public were di-
rectly or indirectly interested in the
matter to be printed the public was
never to pay a cent, and only the edi-
tor. Newspapers cannot exist on such
terms. Oace they did and starved,
and printers were ragged and editors
were stipendisries Of the big party
leaders, who doled ost little money
now and then and used the Legislature
in rewardIng the poor hAtterer and
sycophant of greatness and of the
party with little printing jObs. News
papers were not corrupt IN those dsyP.
But they never forgot the "spoils"
when the party triumphed. And when
victory was theirs hungry rivals came
in swarms TO bid against one another,
and these skeletons crsWled upon their
bellies about the Legislature and Gov
ernor that they might slake unit era
BILE thirst at the little Paot0lus suffered
to flow in their direction by the great
monopollsts of plumber and power.
The party leaders st jod, as upon q
monumental stone, and held out the
we'll gnawed bone of public printing
for the hungry hounds of the press to
bay and gloat over. The most nearly
starved of the pack won it, and COM
monty killed himself 10 the effort to
digest it. Publishers, since those days.
have learned something, and legisla-
lures acquired q little wisdom. The
newspaper is no longer dependent
upon the party or its manager or
upon the law-mskIng power for
its existence. 1t is no longer bank
rupted by concessions made TO print
ing committees who build fsirest tenn
Piles of fame for public economy by
rcbbing the starved and bowling news
papers. Newspapers used to confess
their serfdom. They shamelessly adj
mitted that they belonged to the
party. But the tables are turned and
the parties OF our time belong to the
newspapers. The press has won re-
spect to the very extent that it has
won independenceand that newspaper
is most unOhackIed and most independ-
ent and most respected which prac-
tees most and breaches least Ct
the freedom of the press. 1t will
be a fortunate day for the country
when all its newspapers have won
positions and potency enabling them to
live without making concessions to
men or parties. Party leaders and
professional office-seekers will deplore
the event and still inveigh most
bitterly against the reasonable"
''corrupt" press which, free as the
winds, dares to tell the truth and
thwart their schemes and insult their
Janus-faced, cunning platforms. But
the great body of the people necessa-
rily approve most and support most
cheerfully that newspaper which is
most fearless, which condemns or APP
proves every proposition affecting the
public, not because the party approves
or condemns, but with reference solely
TO the public good. 1t is needless.
therefore, for publishers of this age to
write salutatories or declare themselves
"independent." They cannot, In eul
time, publish successfully any Other
description of newspapers. People
thinking for themselves and daring to
utter their thoughts on all subjects
would have the same spirit animate
the press, and everywhere in the Uni
ted States, at this hour, the most sue
cessful and powerful newspapers are
those distinguished for their absolute
freedom from the domination of party
leaders and managers, and for the NAL
evidence with which they are denounced
by these office-seekers and party-lead
ers.