The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-02-19

IHE Appleton POSt IS commenting
upon the starveling appearance of the
newspapers of Manitowoc in the M alter
criticism upon the whole city for its par
simony and want of enterprisIng. Joseph
Villas and John Schnette are the only ex-
ceptions made. The Post is unjust IN
large measure, though the policy with
reference to the newspapers is correctly
stated. A large majority of the business
men here do not believe in advertising.
That is wholly their own business. But
it is not just to the city to judge It's en-
terprise by the slim advertising patron
age which its papers enjoys, or rather,
endures. Enterprise is not dead here by
any means. During the last few years
Manitowoc has made such progress that
the future is bright. In the short space
of two years a school furniture factory
has been built up which does as large
business as any concern OF the kind in
the United States. Other industries have
sprung up and the older ones have
been enlarged and have grown in pros
perity. The city has been placed, so far
as shipping facilities are concerned, on
parity with Milwaukee. There are men
of energy within the city who are stead
lily working for other railroad connec
tions and with excellent prospects OF
success. When these are secured the
city will grow in wealth and business in
an increased ratio.
Do not judge the city by the starved
appearance of its papers. Besides not all
the business men are as parsimonious in
the matter of advertising as The Post
charges. They claim, and facts seem to
bar them out, that they do a sufficiently
large business without advertising. There
is more advertising than appears. Peri
patetic advertising agents claim that
Manirowoc is the best field in the state
for them. OF course the papers growl
occasionally, but it is because of the fault
finding with them which they feel is I'M
just. On an average they hear about
twenty times week that they are mo
good" This Is not pleasant, to say the
least, when they are struggling on and
doing the best they can. 1t is no credit
to paper to have large proportion of
its advertising what are called "patent
medicine ads" But paper cannot live
without advertising, as subscription alone
will not pay the running expenses. A
preponderance of patent medicine ads
creates bad impression of the city out
side. But that is the misfortune not the
fault of the papers. They give the news
SO far as there is news to give. They are
by no means unknown throughout the
state, editorially. The name "Manitowoc"
is mentioned as often in connection with
its papers as is any other place in the
state in connection with this.
There is too much of a disposition on
the part of some in the city to find fault
with what the city has. Not only is
there an apparently systematic effort to
bellttle its newspapers at home and
abroad, but other industries from the
city has reason to expect a large share of
Its future prosperity, are decried. In
stead OF giving assistance the effort seems
to be to pull down and destroy. Any
man who takes the initiative in further
ing the interests of the public must run
the gauntlet of being charged with sell
fish motives, as we'll as the active opposi-
ton of those who will make movements
themselves.
But the deserving men are coming to
the front and are pushing aside the con-
sentative timber which has long stood in
the way of progress. Tom Reed would
be surprised if he knew TIE hopeful feel
ing, and the work to realize it, which pre-
walls in ManitOwoc. Even the starved
papers are preparing to raise their feeble
voices so as to join the chorus of rejoic-
ing. In the meantime they will exc bat
an existence through the patronage of
the few business men IN the city who do
advertise and the patent ads which come
in in liberal measure.