The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1880-07-02
THE WORK AND WORTH OF COUNTY
PAPER


strictly business principles Tho space
occupied and the work done should be paid
for by the parties and politicians precisely
as is done by merchants. or course this
has reference only to the business depart
ment of the paper, and not to the editorial,
which is conducted. or ought to be, wholly
independent Of the financial question. This
would put il on basis enabling il to do
efficient and satisfactory work. Eschcw-
| ing cheap advertisements its space could be
| devoted to reading matter instead, and suf.
ficicnt editorial help could be employed to
have this matter properly prepared. 1t is
the fashion in some quarters to say that
many country papers are of no value in n
campaign. This is an error. Every party
paper published, without exception, is of
value to its party, if it does nothing more
than advertise its meetings. The man who
does not take his county paper is outside
OF the circle of political Intelligence and
largely, Of political influence. He usually
hears of campaign meeting after it is held.
lie never makes a vote. Indeed, he is for.
tunatc If some one other than himself does
not control his own vote. He is apt TO be
hauled to the polls on election day. a
party that is so foolish as to nominate a
man of this class for officc-and it is some
times donc-always finds that it has an
incubus on its hands instead of helper
and he is usually beaten in the end
AS rule, country papers arc making
every possible effort to fully meet the just
demands of the public. The consequence
is that their improvement is marked and
rapid. believe that this is the case in
every community that has the wisdom and
the sense tc properly appreciate and reward
such effort. good paper is as sure to res
pond to Il liberal patronage as the grass
docs to generous rain, and the county
that will not give such a patronage ought
not to have any paper at all Let such
counties remain in darkness, unless YOU
wish to do the work of missionary, and
satter his hardships and privations
The worst load that country paper has
to carry is the would be great man. You
all know him. He expects you to call on him
each week and get the cue for your editorials
n complete record must be kept of his goings
and comings. lie likes to see the prefix,
"llon." attached to his name. When he
takes snuff it is public outrage if you don't
sneczc. When he makes a speech, however
trivial, you are expected to publish vcr-
batim report. If he has aspirations-and
he always has--yOu arc to push him with
all your power, and when he is defeated
as he usually is-it is your fault, of course
and from that time you have the bitter
cnmity of both himself and his friends
The really mcritorious fellow citizen with
aspirations is he who leaves it to your own
voluntary judgment rs to what you shall
not do, and who not only appreciates but
rcciprOcates in every proper way the favors
that you arc abe to bcstow on him.
There arc some who, while conccdinc the
power and usefulness of country paper,
yet, through some strange pcrvcrsity, are
constantly crippling it. They expect it to
compete in price with metropolitan jour
nails, which enjoy large advertising patro-
mage ut enormous prices, and which are SO
located rs to have extensive fields from
which to draw subscribers; or with that
other local paper, whose only ambition is
chcapncsS instead of quantity or quality,
and whose columns are largely monopolizcd
by cheap advertisements.
They bring you )ituary notices, resolutions
in mcmoriam, church and society notices,
all to go i'll free, and then wonder why it is
that you arc not able to publish paper
equal TO the New York Times. | presume
that they abound in every community.
No one gives SO much to the campaign as
the publisher of a county paper. lie is
constantly at it, not only giving his services
rs an editor aud publisher, but those other
things for which he should have additional
and prompt pay. His support to his party,
to be effective, should not be mechanical and
for this reason his opinions and Judgment
ought to largely prevail in making up the
ticket and in managing the campaign In
this way his mind is enlisted rs well as
hand, and what he does is work of love
and devotion to his party principles -
Wherever this is the case, our party is sure
to win in the end. 1t my take years Of
effort, but the result is as sure as that light
follows knowledge c-Ncw Huu,ony Rcyjs
ter.
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