The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-18

campaign for 1892 will be one fought by the
newspapers. The Democrats saw this at
the close of the contest in 1888, and imme-
diateiy began the fight by very greatly stim-
ulating and increasing their newspaper cir
cuation. They not only did this through
the press, but through their reform bureaus.
They circulated in 1889, az well as in 1890,
tens Of millions Of copies of specious tracts
and documents, which poisoned the minds
Of the farmers and workingmen. 1t was
smart thing to do, and it is now proved by
their great victory. The Republicans must
meet this, and must be as wise in the work
Of constant education, or they will not win.
The circulation Of Republican newspapers
must be increased millions Of copies in the
next eighteenimonths. In Boston, in New
York. i'm Chicago, in all the commercial and
social and political centres Of the country,
the papers Of tremendous circulation are
Democratic. This must not be allowed TO
continue"
There has been talk Of Clarkson starting
a Republican paper in New York. If the
remarks here quoted are to be taken as his
first editorial utterance, he had better re-
linqush editorial aspirations and begin at
the proper place, as a police court reporter.
| If he knew anything about newspapering
he would know that there are but two ways
Of increasing the circulation Ofapaper one
is by means of the being familiarity known
as the "circulati0n liar" the 0therby produc-
Ing papers which will be popular. No man
by merely taxing thought can add one real
influential copy to the edition OF his paper
any more than he can add one cubit TO his
stature. The first plan would be of no use
in a political campaign, inasmuch as the
| increase exists only in the mind Of the man
who occupies rather an unenyiablc posi-
ton. The second plan would be equally
futile for Radicalism. TO begin with, Edi-
tor ClarksOn insults the farmers and work
ingmen, who are the most intelligent and
most numerous newspaper readers by
telling them they haven't enough sense TO
read and understand plain English, and
that they may De influenced by the
Witness and guile Of those Democratic edi-
tors who ClarksOn would like TO persuade
his wished-fer readers have horns and
cloven feet. Bulldozing may do in Maine
and at MassiOn. but nobody can bulldOle a
man into subscribing to his paper. Asi
said in "Nanon," diplomacy, my boy; .di-
plomacy, this is where you diplome.' The
people have begun 10 patrOnize Republican
newspapers less because they have ceased
to be real newspapers. And history teaches
that the party, or personal organ, is not inn
mortal.
This fact should remove from Clarksons
mind the notion apparently lurking in the
thought, "Party committees will play but a
minor party in 1892. The fight will be lost
or won before the committees are organized
for work. The issues Of free trade or pro-
lection, and the greater one Of the right OF
every American citizen 10 vote, and TO be
protected in bis political rights, will be
fought out by the press in the homes Of the
land, and practically settled even before
the Presidential ticket is nominated. IL is
W ~ ~ N'tAhH't~b ~ ei rNAhANhNf NhN - 80
such contest the people are to read De
mocratic or Mugwump paper when one
should read Republican paper, the Demo
Gratis are sure TO VIM"
He doubtless proposes that corruption
funds, instead Of being used in 'blocks Of
five" shall be turned into the more legiti-
mate field Of paying for extra editions Of
Republican organs whose lack OF proper
qualities has caused their circulation 20 de-
cline. But there is a limit even to Republi-
can campaign Doodle. The circulation OF the
papers may be temporarily inflated, but that
will not mean an increased number of
readers. The extra editions will be put to
many uses. Among them will be their
uses as wallpaper, and blankets especially
by those from whom the real articles are de-
barred by the Mckinley bill. Other persons
will try to meet the increased price of the
necessaries Of life by using the enhanced
circulation for wrapping paper.
Try again, Mr.. ClarksOn. You have the
cause; try to find the remedy.