Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-04-20
Support the Local Papers.

Ivy S SiGo
respecting head of family in Mich
igan ought to take at least two
newspapers-his own home paper,
and the Detroit Free Press. We
give the preference to the local pa
per because that is the one which
comes most closely home to the man
and in which he should have di-
rect personal and friendly interest.
And so, if the demands upon ones
resources are such that only single
paper can be afforded, the neighbor
who is doing his utmost to help the
community, and incidentally him
self, is the one who should receive
encouragement and support. News
papers cost so little nowadays, how
ever, that it needs no self-denying
ordinances on the part Of anyone
able to rear his family decently to
enable him to take both his local
paper and the Free Press, and in no
other way is it possible to get so
much of pleasure and profit at so
little expenditure of money.
Newspapers are not published
from philanthropic motives; but
many country publishers are often
tempted to believe that most of the
people in the community in which
their lot is cast have this opinion
in regard to them. They are asked
to grind everybody's ak, and they do
so most patiently and willingly,
provided no one is injured by the
grinding; they are expected to know
everything that is going on, and
to present the local news fully and
attractively; they must be wide
awake and progressive, vigilant for
the advancement of the material
progress of the locality, be on the
lookout for helpful projects, and
be ready in season and out Of season
to exploit the industrial, agricultur-
al and social advantages Of the sec
tion with which they are identified.
This work they do. For doing it
they should receive cordial and sub
stantial support-a sure incentive
to redouble efforts, making the paper
more potent for good in and for the
community. Far too often the sup
port is half-hearted and grudging;
the publisher grows discouraged at
the apparent lack of appreciation of
his efforts; he cannot afford the ex-
penditures which are really nee
essary to make his paper what he
would like to have it, and it is said
to be running down, when its deca-
dence is, in fact, a reflection upon the
spirit and progress of the commune
ty.
There is no enterprise which de-
serves more liberal and considerate
treatment at the hands of the peo-
pie than their local papers. Some
of these in Michigan, pioneers in
progress, established before there is
aclientage sufficient to support them,
are necessary crude and for a time
can only expect scanty living
But the friendly hand should be ex-
tended to them, and those which
are more favorably situated should
be suitably sustained. The local
merchant should use them freely,
and, demonstrating that advertising
pays, should willingly pay fair
price for the returns he received.
The professional and business man,
the artisan and the agriculturist
should take them and should other
wise patronize them when they have
need, and they will find the whole
community quickened into new ac-
tivity by the impulse which the live
local paper will give.
The home paper in every COM
munity should be made a tower of
strength.-Detroit Free Press, April