The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1890-07-10
NEWSPAPER "GooD WILL"
1t 70 an Unknown and Immeasur.
able Quantity.
lnnuence Exertcd by the Family News
paper "-rhe Surprising Consequences
Of IN Apparently Harmlsss
Thres.Line item.

paper Tho Surprising Consequences
Of IN Apparently Harmless
Thres.Line Item.
Lieutenant-G Governor A. T.. Felt, OF
Kansas, an old-time newspaper man,
and once known as plain "Andy"-de-
Nvered an address before the North
western Kansas Editorial Association
at its recent meeting at Holton, from
which the following pertinent extracts
are taken:
70 accurately weigh the power of the
newspaper press is impossible, and to
Justly measure its influence is an un-
solved problem. What is termed ''the
good will" of newspaper is an unknown
quantity illustrating the above PROPOSE
ton.
The publisher is usually poor in this
worlds goods, but his mind is vast
store-house Of useful information, from
which 'the dear public" makes constant
and copious drafts, and never decreases
the original stock. His outfit oof type
and presses often does not equal In
value the watches and jewelry worn by
some family Of his patrons, and he may
not be the owner in fee simple Of "a
foot Of Gods green earth;' but the
good will" Of his weekly newspaper, II
properly conducted, more than equals
the market value of the best farm in his
county. OF this unknown and immeas-
urable quantity, designated as "the
good will" Of q newspaper, let us think
moment: 1t is something separate and
M ~ from, ,,roooou coooo opd <yDo t.
is "the spirit Of the newspaper" unseen
and often intangible--often separate
and apart from the publisher and ed
itor, but the most important and most
valuable factor In the purchasable price
of the establishments. This unseen spirit
Is born of the intelligence, industry,
nerve and integrity OF the publisher and
editor.
Humanity has no mose important
factor to-day than ''the country news-
paper" This Is said with the full
knowledge Of the vast power and in
fiuence Of the daily newspaper. But
we must not forget that the great MAORI
ty OF newspaper readers seldom depend
upon "the great daily" for thought
They glance at its news items and the
paper is forgotten. 1.-THE country week.
ly" goes to every intelligent fireside in
its county. The father reads every word
Of its editorial paragraphs, looks at the
markets and the local news, and turns it
over to his wife and children, and they
read every word in it, including the ad-
vertisements.
In older States 1t Is not unusual to be
told that "the family newspaper" has
been read under that roof for half q
century. Who can count the currents
Of influence carried into family circle
by the country newspaper, read fifty-two
weeks in the year? Children too young
to attend the public school learn the
alphabet and then to read, while sitting
in mothers lap in the long winter even-
ings as she reads "the country paper"
Children are wise beyond their years.
Their first impressions are the most en-.
during. In many households the weekly
paper is the cyolopedia from which the
family CLEANS its news Of current events,
gains store OF useful information and
draws large measure of inspiration in
politics and social science.
The necessity for the broadest intelli.
gence, the most unbending integrity,
good business sense and untiring dill.
gence in the Office of the publisher and
editor OF "the country newspaper" IL
unquestioned.
The newspaper ought to be abso'
lutely clean. Many of us occasionally
look over tho files OF the newspaper
we published twenty years ago and arc
filled with wonder that the fool-kille,
did not travel our way armed with Q
most fatal club. Cleanliness is mex
to godliness" is good scripture, and the
more cleanly the newspaper Is kept the
wider its scope for real good, and the
larger will be the measure of its in
fiuence; and the market value OF its
good will increase In exact proportion
rs the reader is fully convinced tha
The Man in the Sanotum is honest
clean and intelligent. No earthl,
power can destroy such q newspaper
Fire may burn its material, ,drouth ani
disaster may cover 1t with embarrass
ments, but, SO long as days are counted
In the calendar OF time, such news
paper will live and prosper.
To be sole proprietor Of such news
paper 10 greater power than to be ,
Senator In Congress, and Q greater
honor than to be the Emperor Of all th'
German Empire. No man ever wen
from ths Aeld Of 3ournaliam without I
longing 10 return. Other fields Of labo
bring moro temporary fame. coin mor'
dollArA. and bring moro mere ''crcst
urs' comforts. but the man who oal
send his message And greeting to thou
sanA Intelligent households every weel
y power Grester thsn the orator upoI
the platform or In the pulpit and when
for any reason, he has changed hi