The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-03-14
What Is Needed to Sustain a County
Paper.


The GOLD LEAF has just cause to CON-
plain of the lack of interest manifested in !
1t by its friends-or those who should be |
its friends at least BY this we do not
mean that We are finding fault because of
any lack of patronage, but want of that
aid and encouragement which every news
paper should have tn make it more read
able and entertaining-a in the
way of contributing to its columns, giving
It the news of the different sections of the
| county. We want correspondents to help
. Us edit the paper. That is asking very lit
| tie, and yet We do not get it.
| The Charlotte county (Va.) Gazette has
the following timely and sensible article
| on this subject:
In order to sustain q good county paper
| a cordial interest must be taken in it. An
editor cannot be expected to visit all parts
of the county to gather the local news, eS-
pecially when he is compelled to work all
| a corps of paid reporters in all parts Of the
| county. The local happenings of each
| neighborhoOd should be jotted down in
brief, and the editor kept advised of all
matters Of interest. The resources and
crops, the improvements rs we'll as the
society topics, should be made known, so
that the paper may be the medium of CON-
niunicatiOn between different portions Of
the county, that good neighboriloods may
he promoted, and those abroad may have a
birds eye view" of what is TRANSPORTING.
The editor is thus encouraged, instead OF
upon unfuifiIed promises. The County IS
benefited, for an important industry is
i sustained. Every industry and interest
prospers. for q public spirit is kept active,
| q flo has haa RI IN ,ryQ fvy,
every enterprise and improvement
The value of good local or county
paper cannot I've questioned. 1t is to com.
munity what the power Of speech is to any
individual. 1t is the medium Of commu'
/ nication between different portions OF the
same community. as we'll as with the
world at large. Events of general and
public interest are reported by telegraph
and published in metropolitan dailies bu
the local happenings, matters that interest
small communities, marriages and deaths
local business transactions, county finan
ccs, the condition of churches and schools
these and all matters pertaining to the
social and material interests of village:
and counties belong especially to the lOca
press. 1t suggests, aids and stimulate:
. the leader of public sentiment and the
medium through which it finds expression
: But it costs something to publish news
, paper. and to make it useful it most con
tain the right kind of matter. The inquiry
is pertinent, how can these two condition:
be met? First, as to the cost. The mate
rial for newspaper is expensive. The
tyne, press and other outfit demands an ex
penditure which would be required for
mOdeFate-sized farm. Skilled labor is re
quired in the management of this material
, and some brains to control the whole. AL
this involves cost. There are few me,
who are able and willing to furnish thu
capital, and "wOrk for nothing and tint
themselves" Every business man should
take pride in having his business legiti
, mately represented in the paper, instead
, of seeking notoriety by stolen puffs. Those
who wish to make their home with us viii
be more likely to DO SO when they see il
the local paper such evidences of true pub
lie spirit.