Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-03-09
AN APOLOGY.

We fear that many Of our subscribers
win receive the DEMOCRAT in two pieces,
this week, and that some found their last
weeks issue in the same condition. Ii IS
well known that white paper has recently
risen in price from % to 10 per cent.
The quality Of paper which we formerly
used has risen over twenty-five per cent.
Unfortunately, we were entirely out OF
white paper, at the time of the rise. In
purchasing new stock, we concluded to
try the experiment of using cheaper
grade of paper, containing poplar pulp,
which could be secured at the old price.
The experiment has no, proved success.
We do not propose to again print the
DEMOCRAT in so unsatisfactory manner.
We have been proud of its mechanical
execution, for year or more, since 1t
was dressed In new type, and we do not
propose to lower that standard.
Our patrons and friends viii note tina;
the large item of white paper has been
increased in our weekly expenditures
twenty-five per cent. This must be made
up in some way. When we purchased
our new type, we took into consideration
the low price of paper, and therefore
purchased smaller type, which costs more
for weekly composition than that formerly
used. During the past year we have also
given our readers from two 70 four col
umns Of reading matter more than usual,
thus crowding out paying advertisements,
and adding largely TO the bill for compo-
sition, besides giving gratuitous extra
sheets in considerable numbers. We be-
heved that by this course Of giving our
patrons little more than they paid for,
our list would be so largely increased as
to warrant the additional expenditure.
In this we have been disappointed.
Our list has not been increased as we ex-
pected. This was partly owing to the
fact, that there are too many papers in
the field. Oxford County Is not rich
territory, and il cannot sustain so many
papers as are now located in il. There
are now four weekly journals published
in it. If one could have the whole field,
a good independent county paper could be
maintained. As II is, if the present rate
of increase is maintained, We are all
likely TO die Of starvation.
We propose two things in relation 70
this matter. First, basing our circulation
at its present figure 1900 we propose
to give our subscribers the best paper we
can for $3.50 per year in advance, and at
the same time receive adequate compensa-
ton for our own labors and for the risks
of the business. Second, we propose TO
stop the system Of good naturally allow
ing people to cheat US out Of our subscrip-
ton money and out of money due for job
work and for advertising. We have been
very easy with our patrons and have given
them their own time Hereafter $50
per year in advance means IN ddrance,
and parties who have allowed their sub
scriptions to run behind for several years
viii be pressed for payment. There is no
reason why publishers should be called
upon to sustain such heavy losses by bad
bills, and II would not be the case if they
collected as closely as other business men
do.
Friends Of the DENocRAr should take
this time to endeavor to increase its cir
culation and patronage. If our list can
be run up to $500 or 5000, as it should
be, we can give all even better paper
than they have had for the past year. 1t
is very important that we should have
County papers; but men cannot be found
to conduct them, unless the people OF the
Counties are sufficiently interested TO make
an effort and give them paying patron
age. The DEMOCRAT has always been
well sustained; but the increased price OF
all materials which 60 into the make up
of paper, and the increasing competi-
ton, make necessary that its friends
should make it extra efforts for its main
tenance.