Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-06-14
Important 70 Newspapers


Pomeroy's Great Wsa says the INK
on newspapers inangurated several
years ago by Hannibal Hamlin. Of
Maine, was d great wrong to the en-
tire fraternity Of publishers and to
their readers in this country. The
idea was to drive small papers out Of
existence and to give sheets publish
ed in the interests of monopolists a
better chance. OF the newspapers
in the United States at least 40 per
cent. are in debt and in a continu-
Gus struggle for existence. Every
dime into and ont of the cash draw
er counts and is noted. To add
even feathers weight to those who
as agents Of intelligence, are carry
ing heavy loads, is not iE the magic
circle Of right. 1t would be better
in country such as this, where the
newspaper is the greatest known ed
ucator, to exempt all newspaper Off
ces from taxation, the same as
school houses are exempt. But,
one will say, "the printer and pub
Usher work for pay and to make
money" Very true So does the
school teacher work for pay and to
make money. So too does the
preacher Of religion, such as it is,
work for pay and to make money,
and the property belonging to the
church society or organization is ex-
empt from taxation.
/ On the Sth of May, 1882, Mr..
Townshend, member Of congress
from Illinois, did a good thing in
offering resolution tending to the
abolition Of the postage tax on news
papers sent from known Office Of
| publication to regular subscribers.
The resolution was referred to q
proper committee. and WE hope will
eventuate in law repeating an act
of injustice.
The United States owes its great.
ness more to the press than to tbs
pulpit. The press is progressive
| The pulpit, as a general thing, is
stationary. 1t teaches the same re-
ligion that was taught ages ago
Its mission is to keep souls out Of
hell. The true mission Of the press
is to incite thought and to urge peo
pie forward as the light Of progress
sion leads the way. The pulpit is
well enough, but without a free press
religion would run to tyranny and
apply the thumb screws and torture
as Of yore. Church and State have
hunted in couples for generations
The Pope and Bishop forgave King
and subjects their sins, end thu
King forgave tie church its taxes
1t has been tickle-me and I 'll-tick
le-you affair from the first Enter
prises are not born in churches
They are born from the busy braii
Of business men and pushed forwart
by the press that carries the news tt
all who can read or comprehend
pictures, Ito matter how many
oceans roll between.
The railroad and the newspaper
are Americas greatest civilizers ant
educators. The one opens coun
try to enterprise, the other leads ul
to civilization and education. TX
the free school, the press and tn,
railroad, America owes the most o
her present status in greatness. tn,
school system has been given mill
ions upon millions. Well and wise
ly, and never too literally given
The school teaches A B C's and ru
diments. The press teaches man
hood, honesty, liberality, enterprise
progression. The pulpit teaches /
man how it is supposed he can es
cape hell.
To the railroads have also beer
given millions and tens of millions
and thousands of millions. While
enormous subsidies were being giver
to railroads and steamboats,, tax
in the way of postage was being laid
on newspapers, and the Postofiict
Department was open to star route
and other plunderers, who have sto
len millions from that branch o.
service-wlo have stolen ten times
more than newspapers pave paid in
1t would be better to stop some O
the stealing and render an act o.
justice to the press, that, like the
change men call death, it may b.
more ; II more leveler Of unjusi
distinctions and an opener Of door.