The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-10
SUNDAYS TIMES"

No one who did not personally experience
II can isagine what difficulties had to be en-
countered in the publication Of our sixteen
page paper last Sunday morning. First. so
much in the way Of moving had to be done that
the composing room was not in complete readi-
ness for the printers until about 70 O'Clock Of
Saturday. This prevented composition be-
ing begun before that hour, and as
advertisements had already largely ac-
cumulated. and we're still coming into
the office In a steady stream, the delay
proved serious. From IL o'clock in the
day until II o'clock that hight the busy corps
of compositors were literally kept with their
hands FULL and il WINS not until the last-men-
toned hour that q line of general news could
be touched. In fact, regular work on the
reading matter could not then have been be-
gun had not all other advertisements been de-
clined.
Then again there were the difficulties and
exieencles inevitably connected with the in
auguration Of all new and important enter
prises. We were to get out the first sixteen
page metropolitan paper ever published in
Richmond: the first plate ever cast in our new
stereotyping room had to be moulded, and
that was to be followed as rapidly as possible
by fifteen others. each plate being stereo-
typed page Of printed matter. Then there
was all our new machinery to be gotten into
satisfactory running order, and the first issue
Of the new paper was 10 bc turned of for the
first time from our new magnificent Hoe per-
fectinc press. which. though a splendid ma
chine which apparently cannot be improved
upon, required careful testing and consider
able experimenting with before it could be
gotten to that degree of ease and perfection in
working that was desired
Then again there was the proof-reading.
Ordinarily when mammoth paper is pub
Hshed. even in large establishments like the
New York Herald and World, preparations
are made for It for days ahead, so that con-
siderable portion Of the paper is ready for the
press before the actual time Of publication.
On this occasion this was impossible with The
TIxrs. Coming out ~ we did in new dress
and entire new type and having to move be-
sides. nearly every line Of matter which APP
peared in the paper Sunday morning had to
he put in type on the spur of the moment. as
il were. and. in consequence, proof sheets
mountain high" TO express it somewhat ex-
travagantly) had to be promptly and rapidly
disposed Of. Under these circumstances it is
remarkable that there were so few errors. and
that everything went of so smoothly. The
paper. after some delay it is true, was set up
and printed all right, presenting a truly me-
tropoltan and credtable appearance.
But the hard work was not over yet by a
great deal There was an issue Of over 20 900
to be distributed for, besides regular sub
scribers and large numbers of extra copies
taken by advertisers, it was determined that
sample copies should be distributed broad
cast, so that the people Of Richmond might
know what we were doing and could do. In
order that this distribution might be prompt
ly made throughout the city, carrier system
had been arranged by means of which the
papers should be scattered in all sections Of
the city simultaneously. Every head carrier
had his station and his sub-carricrs. Wagons
were engaged to carry bundle after bundle of
papers. each properly addressed, to their re-
spcctive destinations Here they were turned
over to the carriers, and the entire work was
done promptly and quickly and with the pre-
cision of clock work.
Taken altogether. the management have just
cause to be well pleased with the result Of our
first experience in metropolitan Journalism.
II. in spite Of obstacles which required the most
careful and busiest kind of work. without in
Permission for about eighteen hours. from
nearly every attache of the establishment to
surmount, the outcome was SO satisfactory,
there is every reason for confidence that the
paper in future will move along. without
serious difficulty, to the point Of its highest
ambition. viz, 70 be at the head and front of
Southern journalism.