The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-09
A WORD ABOUT THE JOURNAL.

a WORU ABOUT IHE JUUhhAb,
There is no more remarkable feature
in the history of this country than the
growth and development of the press.
We are not about to dilate on that hack
neyed theme, "tbe power of the press"
but it goes without saying that it is one
of the most potent factors in American
life to- day, and is constantly growing in
power and influence. Its past history
furnishes one of the most interesting
chapters in the development of our ma
tional character, and, without doubt, its
future progress will be fully commensu-
rate with that of the country and peo-
pie. The first daily newspaper in the
United States was issued in Philadelphia
in 1884, only little more than a hum
dred years ago. Now there are nearly
two thousand daily papers. besides
great number of weeklies. semi-week-
lies and tri-weeklies. all contributing,
according to their means, to the dis
semination of news and the formation of
public opinion. Nearly every county in
the United States has one or more county
papers, and almost every city of five
thousand population has at least one
daily.
In the development of this great So
cial factor the indianapolis Journal has
borne an active and conspicuous part.
Without claiming to have led the pro-
cession, it may without boasting say
that it has kept up with it, and ia to-
day well along toward the front. There
are few older and larger daily papers
In the United States than the Journal,
but there is none which enjoys better
reputation for fair dealing with its pa
irons or maintains a higher standard
for careful, conscientious and intelli-
gent work in serving the public.
Every city owes a great deal to its
press, and Indianapolis is no exception.
1t is often remarked that the papers Of
Indianapolis are ahead of the city.
meaning thereby that they are better
than the field justifes and better than
those of any other city of this class.
The general public cannot be expected
but it is nevertheless fact. Indianap-
oils owes more to its press than it real
ICES, and at least as much to the Jour-
nal as to any other paper. Established
in the infancy Of the city, the Journal
has grown with Its growth and strength
ened with its strength, laboring con-
stantly year after year for the public
welfare and endeavoring to promote its
own prosperity by advancing that of
the city. 1t has earned public conf
dence by deserving it, and has been
well repaid by the generous support of
the public for its efforts to serve it.
An important event in the history of
the Journal was the reduction in it's
price on the 1st of October last. Bust
ness men will readily understand that
the decision to reduce the price of the
paper nearly so per cent. was accompa-
MED by some misgiving as to the result.
Itcould not be known in advance whether
or not so material a reduction would be
followed by an increase of circulation
great enough to counterbalance the re-
duction, but it was decided to trust the
liberality of the public. The result has
more than justified the measure. The
reduction in the price of the paper has
been followed by an increase of circula-
ton far in excess of its most saDguine
expectations. The actual increase has
been so great and the prospective in
crease is SO assured that the Journal has
been obliged to purchase second press,
which has been placed in position during
the last few days. 1t now has two per-
fecting Hoe presses, each capable of
printing fifteen thousand papers per
hour. With these enlarged facilities
the Journal can print large edition in
half the time that it formerly could, and
its patrons need never be disappointed
in getting the latest news or having the
paper delivered at an early hour. The
new press is a costly improvement, but
the public will get the benefit of it.
An article in another part OF this issue
gives some account of the organization
of the Journal and of the amount and
kind of work that goes to making q
daily paper. When it is remembered
that this work has to be done 365 days in
the year the reader can form an intelli-
gent idea of what it costs to furnish him
his morning paper.
The Journal is not much given to ex-
plotting its own affairs, but on this oc-
casion it will inform the public, con-
fidentially, that it is preparing to furnish
better paper in the future than it has
in the past. Although the price of the
paper has been cheapened, its character
will not be. This. is an era of low
| priced papers, but it is also an era of
| good papers, and the Journal will not
be left behind in either respect. Its
| facilities for collecting news. both by
press associations and special service,
are better than ever before, and every
department of the paper will be kept up
to the highest standard. The Journal
is already a very cheap paper. consider
ing its quality. but if the time should
come when public patronage shall
| justify it in making further reduction
| of price, it will not hesitate to do so
Meanwhile. the public is reminded that
now is the time to subscribe.
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