The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-05-06
THE STATRSMAN,s RELATIONS
TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.

TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN
Shortly the STATESMAN will haye
completed its ninth year of existence,
and during all this time it has been
constant and never failing companion
in almost every family in Austin and
in vast country tributary to 1t. Be-
sides being constant vehicle for news
and information, its establishment has
been one of the permanent industries
of the Capital City, extending wider
spread benefits, probably, than other
concerns with much more money IN
vested. Besides an original investment
in material of over $4,000, there has
been added to its establishment, at
various times within the last seven
years, over $50, 900 in presses, printing
material, power, ETC., and every dollar
that possibly could be used for such
purpose has been invested in work for
the paper or in appliances for the estab-
lishment of a first class news and
printing concern. That the STATESMAN
has not made more rapid strides in the
direction OF becoming great paper is
attributable. alone to insufficient sup
port, while 1t has really gone in ad-
vance of Whist has been authorized
upon its receipts. A Jealous purpose
of affording the readers of the STATES
MAN news, and of giving our business
men an opportunity to secure any kind
of printing needed IN any department
of business has been adhered to, and
how far the people of Austin have met
lis proprietofship In these efforts is
we'll known individually to the former.
While some have literally patronized
the home industry, others, while de-
pending upon this community for trade
and occupation, have adhered to the
old time custom of sending abroad for
printing, and yet in the STATEsMAN's job
printing department work may be OBJ
tanned about as cheaply as from any con-
cern in New York or st. Louis. Ne COM
plant is presented against those who
adopt this fashion, and it may be
hoped that shortly they will see the
propriety of having not only printing
but any other sort of work done at
home, and it may be shown why in
justice this may be expected at least for
the STATESMAN. The regular pay roll
at the STATE:MAN Office, in the dullest
season, hardly eyer falls below twenty
five men and boys, and in past years
when business was excellent, it often
reached to fifty men. The weekly
sums earned by its employees range all
the way from So to $50 or $40, and
every cent of this money, gathered In
from all portions of this state, and
from. other states, and from advertisers
in New York and Chicago and st.
Louis and other cities, finds its way
Immediately into the hands of Austin
merchants. Thus it has been coming
in and going out for these many years,
and thus it has added In direct finan-
cial point of view to the business in
terests alone of Austin. The business
of the STATESMAN is creative and not
alone absorptive, and those who are
. | o,1 aI,o,,lJ l,o go YnooI zooIouo ann
porters are the beneficiaries. We do
know that since the STATESMAN was
established the people of Austin have
had some rough experience with news
papers. Many have been started, and
have drawn money from the commu-
nifty, upon which to enjoy fitful ex-
istence, while others, after receiving
money, by early suspensions haye
wronged the community. It is other
wise with the STATESMAN. Were a
balance sheet sruck between itself
and the community the STATESMAN
would be possessed of much wealth on
paper, and the community could figure
up no losses. The STATESMAN asks
nothing but Legitimate support, and
1t has always given and will always
give value received for every dollar
that goes into it'd exchequer. The
people of Austin owe it only legiti-
mate support, for which it would at
all times be thankful, and which, if
given in reasonable proportion by all,
would enable its management TO pub
lish paper second to none in the state,
In the meantime, the endeavor will be
to meet public expectation. The
STATESMAN, in ehort time, will be
vastly improved in style, and it is
hoped the public will appreciate an
honest endeavor to meet growing pub
lie expectation.