Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-21

sons were more benefited financially by that sad ca
generally The STAR not excepted. And could the
paying extra for newspapers. But THE STAR to
have FORGOTTEN the little it got up, of the Gin
yites. Yours truly. JOHN J. JET.
Washington. Oct. Is, 1881,
Mr.. Jet writes in ignorance, as well as in carp
Ing spirit Yet even were his differences correct,
there would be no analogy between the case
ferred to by THE STAR and that presented by the
newspapers on the occasion in question, since the
latter only supplied the existing demand for their
issues at their usual and published prices. II any
OF them prOfted pecunarily by the occasion it was
IN the regular and legitimate line of their business
and not through taking advantage of the opportu-
mites afforded by period OF calamity and sorrow,
when the afflicted have little chance of protecting
themselves from extOrtiOn. For the information
OF our correspondent, however, and for that of
others, If any, who may have fallen into the same
error, we have to say that THE STAR paid out d.
rectly, as necessary and unusual expenses incident
to its extra issues consequent upon the shooting of
the President, many hundred dollars more than
IL received from their sales. And the same would
be true, we think, of every other cheap paper Of
enterprise in the United states
In the publication of journals like THE STAR-of
It's size, and sold at the price, that is to say
the difference between the mere cost OF the white
which they are sold is so small that any unusual
outlay In their production over the average daily
expense,-Sueh as extra telegraphing, increased
reporting service, larger composition bills ETC., Is
sure TO put the balance ON the wrong side of the
ledger. Then, again, during times of great popu-
lar excitement the public mind Is Withdrawn from
business matters, and advertising invariably falls
on; and as that Is the main source of profit in a
cheap newspapers business, it viii be seen that
It's candle is being burned at both ends In other
words, while its expenses largely increased on
the one hand its revenues are materially reduced
on the other.
As rule, We may add, wen established news
papers do not publish extra issues with the expec-
taton OF making money directly therefrom These
are furnished TO meet the great demand for news
existing at certain times, and to retain the good
VIII OF the public by fulfilling its just expectations
on such occasions, without regard to the question
Of profit or loss. We venture to say that In the
large cities Of the country where enterprising
paper made money directly from the late national
calamity ten WERE taking all the items of the &C
count into the calculation largely out of pocket In
consequence of it
The Yorktown centennial closed yesterday with
areview OF the regular and volunteer troops in the
forenoon and a naval review In the afternoon. The
morning review was, from all descriptions, most
imposing military spectacle. Fully 10000 troops
were in line. The centennial celebration appears
70 have been success only in point of the num-
oers In attendance. In the first place. the location
was altogether unfayorable for an event of tina,
character. dusty SOIL in a sparsey settled sec
ton, and distant from any town or city; no accom-
modations except such as were transported there
Tor the occasion. is, perhaps surprising that the
thousands who assembled could be kept there
three days The original plan of the commission
contemplated ceremonies extending over three
weeks, OUT In the light OF experience the wisdom
OF reduction 10 three days is apparent to every
hodv