St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-05-24
The Model Publisher.

Numerous requisite essentials may be-
laid down for the successful starring
and establishing of a newspaper. The
| repeated failures we see in so MANY
sections of the country are due fire.
| quently to a lack of observance of
fundamental rules and principles, and
at other times to Incompetence and TO-
norance of the requirements of the cali
ing. A word, even to the initiated, is
| at times not misplaced, while to those
embarking in the field of publishing 8
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, we'll 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
success as to crowd out all rivals, and
exemplify ''the survival of the fittest.n
Various honorable means may be en-
pioyed for so doing. A careful study
of the conduct and tone of other Jour
nails will develop new ideas and afford
experience for raising the character of
your own publication.
Asound policy is to start with suffi-
cient 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 good moral
tone and of q 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 q
medium for the mere qualification Of
the morbid tastes of the community,
but a source of intelligence and profit
for the merchant, the mechanic, the
refined gentleman, and their families.
Endeavor to make your paper relia-
bic agent in all its news, avoiding
lengthy and sensational reports. 1t is
better to be tardy with correct ac-
count than to be compelled to contra
Take a personal interest in the prac-
teal details of your composing and
press-rooms, not leaving the entire
of this branch of your
to your foreman or general
hands. If you are not 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 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 viii allow. Your subscribers
will appreciate your efforts, and will
give such newspaper ample support.
Pay all your bills promptly, thus se-
curing, whatever it may be customary
20 allow, the discount for cash pay
nents. 4sEtf
Upon no consideration be negligent
about the issue of your paper, but cause
t to appear uniformly upon the day Of
is announced publication.
Ineulcate in your employees habits of
cleanliness and temperance Keep the
yarious departments of the Office clean
md tidy. Pay your workmen just and
wages, giving preference to
5he employment of those who are. COM 81
oetent. Abandon all unnecessary
light-labor. A job printing-of1ice es-,
ablished in connection with your news
,tfice will be found valuable ally.
LAST, but not least, Systematically at
end to the collection of all moneys
lue, and summarily erase from the
nail-list all non-paying subscribers
topographic AdvertiseT.