Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-17


ohce letter list was given to the paper
having the largest circulation, THU
to be ascertained by statements made
under oath. A small compensation
was allowed by the Postofice Depart.
ment for publishing the list, and il
was a good advertisement for the pa.
per. From the time the LEDGER was
one year old until the department
offered the list to any paper that would
take it for nothing, regardless Of cir.
culatiOn, the Memphis list appeared
once a week in the LEDGER. This
covered a period of several years,
When the list ceased to be a proof Of
largest city circulation, the LEDGER
had no further use for it. We desire
to say, however, that the circulation
Of the LEDGERis larger now than ever
before, and that with the growth Of
the country it is gaining ground and
readers every day at home and abroad.
This is but evidence Of a common
prosperity shared more or less by our
contemporaries, and by all business
enterprises that have q field, and are
well managed. The advertising pat>
ronage Of this paper is likewise larger
than at any time since it was estab-
lished, on the LIST Of September, 1866
eighteen years ago. This is a graft
flying evidence of the better times that
have dawned upon Memphis and the
whole South. Our moderate pros~
perity is the outgrowth of many years
of toll and patient waiting. 1t is not
bathed in the colOrs of the rainbow,
with a pot Of gold at either end, but
it begins to make a fair return upon
the investment made and the hard
work done year after year in the face
of a great variety Of disbursements.
The LEDGER appears to day in an
enlarged form, which it is hoped will
be satisfactory to its readers. This
is no experiment or mushroom
growth; it is a natural result
of faith, patience and work. We have
held on with courage and confidence,
through financial panics, through cpl
denies and many dark days. The
LEDGER has stood by Memphis and
the people have stood by the paper.
1t is read and patronized by all the
substantial classes. The enlargement
OF to-day is a business necessity, and
is also due to those who have been
subscribers and advertisers all these
years. 1t is a great pleasure to pre-.
sent this evidence of the growth and
prosperity of Memphis and surround.
ing country. The papers Of Memphis,
as far as we can know, are all doing
we'll better than in many years past
Each one occupies somewhat q DIS.
tinctive sphere, and yet all work tos
gether for the common good. 1t has
been said that a city is known and
judged by its newspapers and hotels.
Measured by this test, we hold that
Memphis is IN rising ground, and
stands well with the world. It is con-
ceded by far seing business men in
New Orleans, San Francisco, Chicago,
Cincinnati, New York and Boston.
that Memphis will be a big city at no
distant day, Great changes are taking
place, and a well conducted press is
a most potent factor in shaping results.
The LEDGER, the Oldest afternoon pa
per in the South, and the largest as
far as We know in the United States,
represents in a modest way something
OF the vitality, perseverance and re-
Cooperative power Of Memphis and the
central Mississippi valley. 1t has
shared with the people their tribula-
lions and their triumphs. their eloudv
days and their sunshine, and hopes
to merit their good will and hearty CO,
operation in the work Of building up
Memphis and a common country.