Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-05-15
The Model Publisher.

Numerous requisite essentials may be
laid down for the successful starting
and establishing of a newspaper. The
repeated failures we see in so many
sections of the country are due fire.
quently to q lack of observance of
fundamental rules and principles. and
at other times to incOmpetency and ig-
norance of the requirements of the call
ing. A word, even to the initiated, is
at times not misplaced, while to those
embarking in the field of publishing a
hint or two in season can but prove APP
propriate.
An important point to be kept in
view when contemplating the founding
of new journal is to secure an eligible
position, well peopled. and, if possible,
where there is no other paper published.
Ii there be papers in existence in the
locality you may have chosen, en-
deavor to make your enterprise such a
success as to crowd out all rivals, and
exemplify 1.-THE survival of the fittest. :"
Various honorable means may be en-
pioyed for SO doing. A careful study
of the conduct and tone of other jour
mails will develop new ideas and afford
experience for raising the character of
your own publication.
A sound policy is to start with suffi-
Gent capital to pay for your entire out
fit OF type, presses and paper, leaving
sufficient working capital in the bank
for wages and running expenses. Do
not be too sanguine of success? If you
hold your ground for the first year,
without making dollar or running in
debt. you will be doing as well as the
average of those who have travelled the
same road and met with final success.
Let your paper be of a good moral
tone and of strictly clean and pure
sentiment. This rule should apply not
only to the general reading matter. but
to your advertising columns. Remem-
Der that the newspaper should not be a
medium for the mere qualification of
the morbid tastes of the community,
but source of intelligence and profit
for the merchant, the mechanic, the
refined gentleman, and their families.
Endeavor to make your paper relia-
BILE agent in all its news, avoiding
lengthy and sensational reports. 1t is
better to be tardy with a correct &C
count than to be compelled to CONTRA
dict hastily-spread false rumors.
Take personal interest in the prac-
teal details of your composing and
press-rooms, not leaving the entire
management of this branch of your
newspaper to your foreman or general
hands. If you are not a practical print
er you will. in time, by careful observa-
ton, become acquainted with the rou-
tine of the work. Waste of material may
thus be prevented, and economy incul-
Gated in your employees.
The prosperity of a paper may be
judged in a measure by its appearance.
Do not sacrifice the Typography to graf
ify the whims of advertisers. Abolish
all poster display. Set your advertise
ments in neat, plain type-the smaller
sizes of such faces as light Gothics, An
tiques and Roman type. Use the best
quality of ink and paper that your
means will allow. Your subscribers
will appreciate your efforts, and will
give such a newspaper ample support.
Pay all your bills promptly, thus Sc
curing, whatever it may be customary
to allow, the discount for cash pay
mentS.
Upon no consideration be negligent
about the issue of your paper. but cause
it to appear uniformly upon the day of
its announced publication.
Inculcate in your employees habits of
cleanliness and temperance. Keep the
various departments of the Office clean
and tidy. Pay your workmen just and
reasonable wages. giving preference to
the employment of those who are COM
petent. Abandon all unnecessary
night-labor. A job printing-otfice es-
tablished in connection with your news
Office will be found a valuable ally.
Last, but not least, Systematically at
tend to the collection of all moneys
due, and summary erase from the
mail-list all non-paying subscribers
Topographic Advertiser.