Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-16
The NeWspaper Press.

One of the most interesting and valua-
BILE publications that has come to hand of
late is the "History and Present Condition
of the Newspaper and Periodical Press of
the United States" by S. N. ID. North.
Mr.. North was appointed special agent
of the Census Bureau for the collection
and preparation of statistics of this branch
of inquiry, and has performed his work
with fidelity and ability. His report,
which comprises volume of 446 pages
i, divided into four parts, viz: A history
of the newspaper and periodical press
from 1889 to 1880; statistical tables; a
catalogue OF periodical publications issued
during the census year, and chronology
cal history of the newspaper press of the
United States. Of the 1874 journals of
1880. 1929 were established between 1870
and 1880, 1871 between 1860 and 1870,
903 between 1850 and 1860, 1916 in all
previous years. and IL with no date Civ
on. It IS the remarkable localization of
the American newspaper press which dis
tingushes it particularly from that of any
other country, and constitutes what NAV
be regarded as one of its best characters
tics. The press of the United States is
not concentrated like that of other coun-
tries. with well developed journalism,
but is localized. Every hamlet has its
mouth piece through the printing press.
and every city is independent of
every other city for its daily news
supply. Here is the first condition
met of healthy and progressive nation.
al journalism; and it is the condition
which will always keep the American
press what it now is the freest, the most
selfreliant, the most loyal to home and
vicinity interests in the world. Between
1870 and 1880 the number of hands en-
ployed in the newspaper offices of the
whole country increased from 1880 to
to 65.0l5, the amount of wages increased
from $s. 16s. 5l5t to $2s. 559, 1886 ;the value of
materials used in manufactures increased
from $S,7O9. 632 to $15. 1886, 1903, excluding
all tools and machinery and everything
but the bare cost of ink and paper, and the
value of gross products increased from
$25, 1896, 029 to $s9 .OO9.o74. 1t should be
understood, however. that the $50. O09, 074
Of gross product returned for the news
paper and periodical press does not bear
any tangible relation to the amount of
capital which is invested in the business
in the United States.
The State of Maine has an area of 49,
S95 square miles and population in 1880
of 64S, 936. There are sixteen counties
in the State, in all of which newspapers
are published. In 1910 there were but
published in the State, in 1910. Sc; in
1850. 40; in 1860, 20; IN 1870, 65; while
in the last decade the number has grown
to 123, comprising IL dailes. 80 weeklies,
/ tri-weekly. bi-weekly, monthly and
l quarterly. 1t was said in 1912 that the
man was yet living who published the first
paper in Maine Sc years before. 1t was
about the size of foolscap, and made up
Of extracts from other papers, fortnight
and three weeks old, from New York and
Boston. The 1l.Sl4 periodicals, issued
from the press in tho United States to day,
have articulation of Sl,779, $3.50. Who can
wonder, then. at the reputed s'power Of
the press ?" Il is power that is bound
to intensity and expand until the remotest
hamlet shall feel its influence. The mos,
striking feature of the history of the
newspaper press during the past decade
has been its multitudinous differentia
ton, the press of the United States
10 . marvellous degree not witnessed in
any other country, accommodating itself to