Middletown transcript., 1888-12-13

peaIe. -
WE PRINT elsewhere this week the
laws regulating the subscriptions to
newspaper We do this fer several
reasons, but principally because we do
not approve of many of the provisions
therein contained.
Now there are a great many reasons
why publications of all kinds are beni-
fetal, but one Of the most important is
the revenue they yield to the proprie-
tor, and the vital necessity for suffi-
cient of this kind of remuneration to
make the credit side of the books show
a balance at the end Of the year, ex-
lists to more or less degree, in the
plans and schemes Of all who are en-
gagged in the task of ''making Books"
of which Solomon says, ''there is no
end" It may seem peculiar that The
TRANSCRIPT should object to any
legislative enactment that apparently
goes far in assisting publishers to
build up that important part of their
publications known as circulation, see
ing that we all sadly need patronage in
this line as an earnest Of the approba-
tion of the community, of our labors as
news gatherers, and as certain end
to securing the most profitable class
of advertisers. Yet we do object to it,
and most strenously, and for the reason
that it places, for time at least, all
publications on an equality, without
regard to merit from the publishers
stand point, or necessity for what may
be aptly termed superfuous reading
matter, from the subscribers outlook.
There are a great many ways to run
a newspaper, especially in a community
overstocked with this superfous read
ing matter, assisted by this law which
says: "Any person who receives
newspaper, and makes use of it, wether
be has ordered it or not, is held in law
to be subscriber" We know of one
newspaper started in this manner. Just
how many people were made subscri-
bers in this way, we cannot say, but
think it safe to opine, that had they
received a printed slip embodying the
law as above stated, quantity OF
the "superfuous" would have never
seen the light, not to speak of quality.
Often the name of party has been
put on the books, and advantage is taken
of the well known ignorance of the as
sumed subscriber, by continuing to
toward the publication quietly for
years, well knowing that as long as
nothing is said, the law protects the
publisher, and he can at any time col
lect the bill. So far as relates to par
ties subscribing for paper, and be-
coming debtors in bona fide' manner,
the law is good, but to compel man
to pay for what he never ordered and
never wanted goes a step to far. The
patronage of old and established papers
is seriously effected by this law, not
exactly in the way of subscription /;
though to some .extent even there.
Assuming that a person with the neces-
sary capital wants to start paper, he
has only to print, say 1000 copies
and scatter them broadcast and the
thing is done. One quarter of the
number sent will be accepted and in
the verbiage of the law fused" the
next week another batch is turned out,
and about the fourth week the paper
claims circulation of 1000 copies.
Advertisers give it custom and SO the
work goes on. Now all the local adj
vertising is cut in half, the price goes
down, and in a short time there is no
living for anyone. THE TRANSCRIPT
with its reputation Of twenty-one years,
does not need to send copies to all the
community in order to paradea bubble
circulation, but it has felt the effect of
too many papers in this community,
and does not wish to disguise tine fact.
Advertisers find there is to great a
drain on their pockets, for the double
space, and the result is that among
those who advertise in both papers to-
day, with one single exception, have so
reduced their space, that it is hardly no.
ticeable because so small. Our advice
to everyone is given freely, no matter
which paper is hurt.
To subscribers the law. When
you don't want paper pay up and
stop it and keep only the best. To ad-
vertisers select the best medium for
your advertising and stick to it.
Every publisher ought to be satisfied
to stand on the merits of his publica-
tion, and we are willing to do this by
The TRANSCRIPT.
FROM WASHINGTON.