The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-19
A. NEW NOUUME-APPRECHATlED
EXTFR ESSSIONS.

| qualification. to its advertisers and its
6.400 daily subscribers for the support
which has enabled it to reach its high
position in North Carolina Journalism
About four years ago the paper was
purchased by its present management
1t had then less than two. thousand
subscribers and advegtjsing patronage 50
small as to be out of all fksRorioh to. its
merits. The four years > have
passed have seen the paper climb Nh
the hill. until to-day it is more thin
self-supporting, with the bright prospect
Of becoming one Of the city's strongest
as well as most useful institutions.
More than fifteen thousand dollars has
been spent in the plant in order to
mako the facilities complete for the
publication of a, paper worthy of the
capital of the State. Nothing but the
hardest work and closest economy has
made success possible.
The News and Observer has had no
personal axe to grind. Ii has had no
favorites to reward and no enemies TO
punish 1t has had an eye single to the
success of the Democratic party and to
the development of the resources of the
State 1t has looked to all the people,
rather than to amy class, for support and
approval. Ii has been true to its con
victions, never permitting business CON
siderations TO have weight in shaping
its utterances. 1t has sought to lift
up the people, advocating education
Of the masses as the only sure founda-
ton upon which the Commonwealth can
safely rest. Its columns have been
open to full and fair discussion of all
questions by men who were ready to
sign their contributions. 1t has given no
place to PRO Bono Publico'' or MANY
Citizens" who shoot from ambush. but
has required correspondents to assume
responsibility for their articles 1t
has not sought popularity by neutrality
upon great questions. 1t has spoken
boldly and vigorously its conscientious
convictions, and has been guided by a
desire to elevate the moral standard
in public service. 1t has fought corrup-
ton in high places in all parties. scorn-
ing to favor unworthy men because
they profess the same political
creed. 1t has sought to be Il religious
M in hn host Of haf nrJ
knowing no sectarianism and claiming
no infallibility. 1t has been honest with
its readers and honest to itself. 1t has
sought above all things 10 ''be just and
fear not" and never to 'set down aught
in malice" 1t has waged hard fights for
what it believed essential to good gov
eminent and good morals, but it has
never had any bitterness or resentment
These things, together with hard and
faithful work, have given the paper a
position in the State that is most crafty
ing. The responsibility of speaking to
so many people every day is one
which has been felt keenly. In the fear
of God we have sought to have no
purpose except to advance those things
that are right, just and honest. No
self-seeking has been permitted to OBJ
scure the great trust reposed. As a new
volume is~opened, with heart full of
gratitude to all who have helped in the
present achievement We reconsecrate
all that is in us to the work that lies
before us, seeking the continued cooper
alton of all progressive North Carroll
mans to make the paper worthy of the
State, a true exponent of Democratic
principles which are the salt of our civic
life, and an upholder of these ideals that
broaden and bless mankind.
The many words of commentator
that came to the paper during and at
the close of the last campaign and the
kind things said of it during the trying
sixty -four days of the Legislature have
been most grateful. We hope we Will
be pardoned for making room for three
kind expressions just to hand at the
beginning of a new volume:
/. One of the foremost educators in
the State is a private letter received
yesterday said: 1.-THE News and Obser-
yer grows better every day" If this is
true now we hope in the improvements
III view to ''go on TO perfection as the
old time Methodists used to say
2. This weeks Mcdowell Democrat
contains this pleasant alluson
I'VE rise to move a vote of thanks
to the Raleigh News and Observer for
the very able and thorough manner III
which it reported the daily proceedings
of the late General Assembly. Its
Echoes of the Legislature" the 'classi-
fication of laws made. amended or re-
pealed, with an exhaustive recapitula-
ton of the work accomplished, exhibit
a feat of journalistic enterprise rarely
cqualled."
3. The Scotland Neck Commonwealth,
in an excellent column editorial, showing
appreciation of the accurate and con-
scientious reports made during the Leg
islature' and s'the spirit of fairness to
- -. al.