The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-04-19
NEWSPAPER INFLUENCE.

IL Uldy uOb JIG Oub VI Pl1OO W iOSNA
at this time, to the declaration of Sem
ator Houston, in evidence before the
committee investigating the evil prac-
tices of the lobby, that the press of
the state had changed the probable
course of the legislature concerning
the penitentiary leases. There is
no doubt that the influence
of the press was potent in
this matter, the power of the
governor in favor of the leases being
as nothing in the scale. Had it not
been for the press there is very little
doubt that the leases would have been
ratified without much of a struggle,
and the people would probably never
have understood the enormity of the
measure that was proposed for en-
trapping them. Not. long ago a dis
tinguished public man said: upon
the press, more than any other politi-
cal force, must we rely hereafter
for success. The occupation
of the stump orator is
well-nigh gone. The newspaper goes
in advance of the public speaker, and
gives the people the history and logic
of the controversy before he can get
in his work. The average harangue
at the hustings now is little else than
a rehash of what has been said in the
journals of the party. 1t is, therefore,
fortunate for US that we have an in
dependent, intelligent and aggressive
press-one that sends the true gospel
of politics, red hot, into the 'byways
and highways to be seen and
read of all men," The power
of the press is unequallel by
any agency in directing public senti-
ment, and the public man who puts
himself in opposition to what the
press almost unanimously proposes
and advocates commits political sui
eide. Persistently and gently favorite
newspapers find their way into almost
every family circle in the land, and
what they teach that is based upon
reason and apparent justice is &C
cepted by the masses as correct. The
political paper goes into the hand fthe
masses, and it's influence is not meas
ured by its arguments alone, but by
the political news from all parts of
the country. TO many men the logic
of events, as marked out or indicated
in the dispatches, is as convincing as
the discussions and comments on the
editorial page. The paper goes into
the hands of all classes, reaches the
young and the old, and carries with
it everywhe8 the prestige of alert
ness, enterprise and fullness of infor-
nation. So Tar as the character of
the political newspaper is concerned,
the improvements and changes have
all been in the direction of extending
its popularity and influence. Let us
see what census after census teaches
In 1850 there were 1926 newspapers
in the United States, with circula-
ton of 5,142,177. In 1860 there were
4,O57 papers, with a circulation of
13,663,400. Increase in ten years,
sixty-five per cent in number of pa
pers and one hundred and fifty per
cent in circulation. In 1870 thenumber
of newspapers was 5,871 and the cir
culation was 2O,842,473. OF the total
number of papers in 1870, 574 were
daily, with a circulation of 2,601 ,547
In 1880 there were 1874 newspapers
in the United States with circula-
ton of 31,779,686. While the popula-
ton of the United States increased in
thirty years from 23,191, 1916 to SO, 1885,
1888, or little more than 100 per cent.
the newspapers increased in number
from 1926 to 11,314 Gan increase of $40
per cent?, and their circulation in
creased from 5,142,177 in 1850 to 3D.
779, 1886 in 1880 increase in thirty years
of over 500 per cent. These figures,
which apply to Texas as they do to
other portions of the country show
the increasing power of the press.
While state officers and the pen
itentiary ring were laying siege
to the legislature the newspa-
pers were taking the gospel
of events into the highways and the
byways, to be seen and read of all.
And still they go-penetrating to the
most sacred recesses of the home cir
Gle. They are read by the thousands,
while the newspaper defamer-prob-
ably governor OF other state depart
ment officer-dances around with the
energy and power of jumping-jack
abusing the newspaper, and Sc
curing in return public de-
rision. Yes, the newspapers will
continue to go in increasing numbers
to the people. Not like Democratic
maiorities in Texas will they fall off
on bad year, but they will continue
to increase in circulation and in intiu-
enee, while the little officials who
shark" as was lately POLITICALLY said
by one of them concerning the news
papers, will be retired and be forgot
ten as worthless, pitable things of the
past.
THE STlTESM AN,S ENEMJES ANN