The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1899-03-04
ARBEVIIIE LOUISIANA, SATURDAY, MARCH H. 1899.
ATLANTA CONSTITUTION.

1t Is fact perhaps not generally
known that The Weekly Constitution
has the largest circulation of any
paper on the Western hemisphere
Only few months ago large news
paper directory questioned the claim
Of circulation made by the Constitu-
ton and putu up forfeit of 500 that,
it could be disproved that it had more
than / 90, 900 circulation. The Consti-
tuition promptly accepted the offer and
submitted its books to the represent
tive of the firm. Mr.. George z.
Rowell, publisher of the newspaper
directory, acknowledged his error
publicly and paid the forfeit.
The Constitution, while being dem
ocratic newspaper, it is twelve
page, seven-column weekly, max
ing eighty-four columns each week.
| Its subscription price 10 81 a year.
During the war with Spain, which
has just been brought to close, the
reports of NO newspaper in the South
could compare with its presentation
from the front. Its special staff rep
ressntative sailed with the army when
|
it 6rst embarked from Tampa, and of
the 120 correspondents who went to
Cuba, he was one of only seven who
remain to see the flag hoisted over
the public buildings at Santiago.
Its special representative also ac-
companied the Aeet in the Caribbean
sea, and Its Washington special serv-
ice covered every detail of the impo
rtant war reports originating at the
capitol.
| The Weekly Constitution during
the late Spanish war served the news
of all the notable events, from first to
last, with the promptness Of daily
The victory of Dewey in Manila, the
death of ensign Bagley, the move
ments troops and fleets, the destruc
ton of Cervera's feet, the operations
in Porto Rico the treaty and the un-
furling of the Stars and stripes over
Moro Castle, Havana, were all given
| in the Weekly on Mondays on the
dav the news first appeared in the
daily.
| The Weekly Constitution makes a
| special feature of its agricultural page
which is presided over by Col. K.
j. Reddang, director OF the Georgia
experiment farm ,and man who is re-
cognized as an expert on all agricul-
tural topics. He gives full page
every week on agricultural matters.
A page is devoted to the women and
page to the children these two de
partments being presided over BY
Mrs. VIM. King.
| Among the regular staff members
of The Constitution are Joel Chandler
Harris, Frank L. Stanton and
others well known throughout the
country " bile among its special con-
tributors are sueh men as Wallace P.
Reed, Bill Arp, Sarge Plunkett, Betsy
Hamilton, DIR. Talmage and others
of national reputation.
The Constitution has just compile
ted the thirtieth year of its existence.
Clark. Howell being the editor and
COD. w. "A. Hemphill Its business
manager. It's name is a household,
word in every Southern State, from
Virginia to Texas. 1t has always
been in especially close touch with
the agricultural masses OF the South
and in having reached circulation
which carries NJ into $50 200 homes
it.has won unique distinction which
ranks it among the greatest Of
Americn weekly newspapers.
The Constitution will send sampl
copy of its great weekly free ss.t'
anyons sending his own name ant