The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-04-27
THE CITY PRINTING.

WOTus u PRAISE Oh every gldlii Nii,h
We're suggested by its personnel and it
will justify the commendation when it
gets to work with little experience to
aid it. But the policy OF extreme econ
omy regarding the publication OF the
proceedings is petty, unworthy the
standing of the men constituting the
council 1t is not question OF what
paper; it is question of fair compensa-
ton. The setting up in type Of what
one average penman can write will keep
three good typesetters busy. With the
exception of the tax roll and orders for
bills allowed by the board and the keep
ing of accounts, the official papers pub
fish everything which passes through the
clerk hands. The publishers must write
out their own copy which, with the work
of type settlers, makes the employment
of 4 men necessary to reproduce in type
what the clerk has recorded. He receives
a salary of $500 per year and it is i'll the
line of insufficiency rather than extrav-
agance. But the newspaper Is expected
to do the work for $3.50 besides furnish
ing space in the paper, which has com
mercial value. OF course the council
NAV argue that while there are papers
foolish enough to do the city printing
away below what it is worth, advantage
should be taken of this mendicant dis
position But it is not wise policy. 1t
is never wise to bleed Fault is found
with criticisms of the council by news
papers. But it is only human nature to
strike at niggardliness when the person
striking is affected.
The Pilot is speaking without personal
feeling as it would not accept the city
printing at the old rate of $500, and
knows there were influences at work TO
prevent its being chosen the official paper
against which it interposed no opposition
and with which it has no fault to find.
1t simply asks that fair compensation be
paid for work performed by any paper
selected as the official organ of the coun-
Gil. At legal rates the city printing last
year would cost 81 200. This is an estim-
ate based upon Il pretty thorough exam
| ination. The Pilot hopes much from the
present city council but fleeing is not
progression If it is possible to do so, do
away with publication of proceedings
| but let not the council bringshame upon
its character and lower its dignity by
offering the miserable pittance of $50
for 81 200 worth of work. The worst
bloodsuckers engaged in business in the
| United States are advertising agents.
But they would pay for the space used by
the city in official papers at least $500.
The Herald was fairly and squarely
chosen. The Pilot was not competitor
though it appeared so. The Herald is
really not entitled TO the distinction of
being the official paper of the city. If
there is any honor or profit in the posi-
ton, the papers which have fought the
battles of the city for years and used
every effort they could call forth to adj
vance its interests, should not be set
aside for new candidate for public ia
vors which has not yet feshed its sword
in battle for the city. This is no dispar
agement to the Herald as opportunity
may remove this objection.
If the purpose was to get something
for almost nothing, then The Herald
should not be the victim as it is not gen
erous to levy tribute upon a new enter
prise, nor manly to beg faYors from a
newcomer.
| Pay for what you get should be the rule.
The Herald is now the official paper. 1t is
the organ through which the city speaks,
the chosen mouthpiece Of the council,
and it should not be made starveling
by those who chose it as their public rep
resentative The city council should re-
trace its false step and at the next meeting
vote that the compensation paid the Her
aid and Nord Weston for the work they
are to do be at least $500 each. Hav-
ing chosen the papers they should be
treated fairly. The council should not
feed its servants on husks. The Herald
is new paper, encountering many OBJ
stacles as every new paper does. 1t is
not generous to squeeze It in the fashion
proposed. Every just act is a manly act
and it is only just to pay the official pap
ers selected fair compensation. The
Pilot seriously contemplated resigning
as official paper last year because of the
disproportion between the work done
and the sum received and would abso-
lutely decline to accept at the same com
pensation.
1t is no credit to an employer that he
pays starvation wages. The city is not
exempt from the censure a man earns
when his action is similar. Pay the
Herald what the work is worth and hav-
ing got rid of this bit of Darsimony to