Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-01
HISTORY In ADVERTISEMENT
An Interesting and Valuable Part of a News
papers Contents.

An Interesting and Valuable Part of News
papers, Contents.
From the indianapolis Journal.
1t is no longer an objection TO a newspaper
that II contains advertisements On the con-
trary. there is no reason TO believe that q paper
which should contain no advertisements
would be not only behind the times, but fail to
give its readers a feature containing much
current and useful information, and, withal,
much entertaining reading Thousands Of
people regard the advertisements in a daily
paper as part of its local news. In late wears
the writing OF advertisements has become n
special feature in journalism-a branch Of
literature requiring information and calling
for brightness and versatility. The man or
woman who has genius in that direction has
a more profitable place in current literature
than have many OF those who see their articles
In magazines or their names Ola the title
pages Of current fiction. The wideawake bus
mess man, who sees the great advantage Of
space IN newspapers columns, come to
understand the importance Of having il filed
with matter which will be sure to attract the
reader that he, and particularly she, will look
for il every day and viii experience q feeling
OF disappointment If it is not found.
III one should assert that history Of any re-
cent period could be written from the data
supplied by the advertisements of the news
Ddpcfs. tue stasclltnl WOulu scarcely be De-
Eeved until one could give il consideration
after which he would conclude that it might be
done From the advertisements of newspapers
an expert might write the history of the rail-
road development in this country. The scnnty
cuts of locomotives and cars would furnish an
outline, while the improvements and ad-
rantages set forth in the advertisements would
furnish "A writer If he possessed fair mount OF
originality. with the filling for the work. The
financial history OF the government could be
fully written from the advertisements of
treasury officers and bankers dealing in public
securities. Doubtless advertisements in New
York commercial papers would show that late
in 1850. United States loan could not be
placed at par bearing per cent Interest. Similar
advertisements would show not only the rates
OF interest such securities bore during differ
ent periods, but the fact of the issue OF legal
tender greenbacks and the premium which
gold commanded from time to time. The re-
suits of great battles during the war and the
popular feeling, whether hopeful or despon-
dent, could be told in the ups and downs OF the
prices Of bonds in gold or in currency. With
out other record, the collapse of the rebellion
could be told from the fall in the premium on
gold and the sale OF seven-thirty bonds.
The advertisements Of the treasury and banks
directly after specie resumption, announcing
the sale OF millions OF four per cent bonds and
of the premium which these bonds Commanded
after a brief season. tell us eloquently and &C.
curately the story of the achievements BY which
the rate Of interest paid by the United States
and the people was reduced nearly third. al
did the official report of Secretary Sherman.
The development CT American industries can be
traced in the advertisements announcing novel
home products. Transient as are the fashions
OF dress, the clever writer could tell their rise
and fall from the outlines supplied by the
dealers in fabrics and millinery. The enter
prising dealer with an eye to business has
never failed to give the public 1.-THE correct
thing in dress" for both sexes.
In years TO come the writing OF advertise
ments which will always attract attention will
become more and more literary employment
| since the writer must not only be well read
but must possess, in high degree, all the liter
ary art of putting things. At the rate thi.
branch of newspaper making is being developed
the time is not far distant when it will be an.
nounced that this that noted advertisement
writer will contribute a special advertisement
to forthcoming issue, for the same reason
that publishers of magazines now announce
| that the next number will contain a story by
Howells or poem by James Whitcomb Riley.