The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-08-16

per as we want it is worth more than
all the money, inferior ink, ETC., that
we ever received from agents for ad-
vertising. l find after fair trial that
we are entirely independent of adver-
tising agents, and that if we will spend
the time that is consumed in answering
their letters and hunting up and mail
ing them papers that they failed to
get, in working up home advertising
we will get more money, have a more
respectable looking paper and great
deal more satisfaction. also perceive
that now, that l do all my own pricing
and say what space advertisements
shall occupy and that shall receive
cash in payment therefor instead of
ink and wood type, have more self
respect and more confidence in my
ability to run my own business.
But what more particularly desire
to call your attention to to-day is the
fact that the sympathy of newspaper
advertising agents is all on the side of
the advertiser. They never do any
thing to aid the publisher. He is
merely a machine in their hands, used
solely for the purpose Of increasing
their bank account. BY examining
the pamphlets and circulars sent out
to advertisers you will be convinced of
this assertion.
The Northern District Assembly of
the Arkansas Press Association among
other things says:
PesokpeA, That discounts on all
contracts to reliable advertising agents
only, should be IS per cent.
"That travelling representatives of
reputable houses calling upon publish
ers, be considered as advertising agents,
ard entitled to agents commissions.
"That advertising contracts, paya-
BILE partly or wholly in goods, other
than printing material, are injurious to
legitimate business and members are
urged not to accept them
As soon as Geo. P. Rowell & Co.
saw this resolution they sent circular
letters 10 country publishers in every
direction asking their opinion of it. A
great number Of them replied that
they thought it both proper and fair
and here is what these disappointed
gentlemen have to say:
GA majority of the replies which
we're received by Rowell & Co. were
from publishers of papers of small
issue, emanating from towns Of sec
ondary importance, and it is but fai
to say that most of these were in ac
cord with the views of the Arkansa
Association, and sustained the wis
dom, propriety and fairness Of the res
olution."
How does this sound to you, gentle
men, who know that the advertlsln!
agents are indebted to the countr
press of the United States for ever
dollar which they have made in tn
business? 1t is obvious that the 2.
per cent. of the whole amount pal'
for advertising that they have HANDLED
might have been divided between tn
advertiser and the publisher and bot
be infinitely better off. Fearing tha
this resolution of the Arkansas Asso
citation might influence other Assocla
tions to take steps IN the same dlrec
ton, a convention of the leading news
paper advertising agents was held
the Astor House in New York City o
the 10th and goth of April last tha
appeared to be for the sole purpose {
. considering and denouncing this reso
luton, as If the publishers Of Arkansi
Y did not have as much authority to sa
: what they would allow as the agen
l have to demaad IS per cent. l cor
t slider the resolution remarkably geE
erous one. BY this you see that the
: intend, if possible, to hold their grI
: on the publishers, charge a big pt
v cent. for their services, and pay tt
r smallest price for advertising. Gentl'
D men, shall this continue? l thin
! not.
e Rowell & Co. say to their custom
ers: alt is our policy never to allo
n ourselves to be placed in a positic
a where We are obliged to contract WI
E a newspaper if its rates or condition
e appear to be oppressive" ="
q Who ever heard of a newsDap
making oppressive rates or conditions
Y This certainly cannot be said of al
It North Carolina publication. Henc
5 we can only draw the conclusion tn
d the agents only look out for their ov
O welfare and the means to secure Gu
tom, leaving the publisher, the mai
It spring of the whole advertising 10
r chnery, to defend himself against
O we'll organized scheme to use his &C
+ Eumns for trifie,
4 No man car read tie preface
l. Geo. P. Rowell & Co.'S newspar
e directory for 1883 without feeling ii
d this is true, aud no honest publish
| scan read il and other assertions tn
,e have made concerning newspaper ra
ot without feeling just indignation
s 1.-THE unwarranted insults contained
re them. Newspaper men are respec
D. ble and respected in their North Cal
e. lima homes. Then, is it right that q
1t vertising agents should call into gu
as ,on their honesty without receiving
re severe rebuke? Il will here expl,