St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-08-30

not so much with reference to this last
transaction as to the entire motive that
had urged him on since he had made
the promise. The newsbcys were neces-
sarily sufferers through the action he
had taken. Why should they lose money
by it, They were not to blame. He was
rich man and could afford to put a
little brightness into their lives If he
chose to do it. He believed as he went
on his way home that Jesus would have
done either what he did or something
similar in order to be free from any
possible feeling of injustice He was
not deciding these questions for any
one else, but for his own conduct. He
was not in position to dogmatize, and
he felt that he could answer only with
his own Judgment and conscience as to
his Interpretation of Jesus probable
action. The falling off in sales Of the
paper he had in certain measure fore
seen, but he was yet to realize the full
extent of the loss to the paper If such a
policy should be continued.
During the week he was in receipt Of
numerous letters commenting on the
absence from The News of the account
of the prizefght. Two or three of these
letters may be of interest.
Editor Of The News:
Dear Sir-I have been deciding for some time to
change my paper ] want journal that is up 10
the times, progressive and enterprising, supply
Ing the public demand at all points. The recent
freak OF your paper in refusing to print the ac-
count OF the famous contest at the Resort has
decided me finally to change my paper. Please
discontinue it. Very truly yours, - -.
Here followed the name of business
man who had been subscriber for
many years.
Edward Norman, Editor Of The Daily News Ray
mond
Dear Ed-what is this sensation you have given
the people Of your burg2 Hope you don't intend
to try the "reform business" through the avenue
Of the press. It's dangerous to experiment much
along that line. Take my advice and stick to
the enterprising modern methods you have made
80 successful for The News. The public wants
prizeRghts and such. Give it what it wants and
let some one else do the reforming business.
Yours,
Here followed the name of one of
Norman's old friends, the editor of a
daily in an adjoining town.
My Dear Mr.. Norman-T hasten to write you
note of appreciation for the evident carrying out
OF your promise. 1t is splendid beginning, and
no one feels the value Of it better than do.
know something OF what it will cost you, but not
ALL Your pastor, HENRY MAXWELL
One letter which he opened immedi-
ately after reading this from Maxwell
revealed to him something of the loss to
his business that possibly awaited him.
MIR. Edward Norman, Editor OF The Daily News:
Dear Sir-At the expiration OF my advertising
limit you will do me the favor not to continue as
you have done heretofore. | inclose check for
payment in full and shall consider my account
with your paper closed after date. Very truly
yours,
Here followed the name of one of the
largest dealers in tobacco in the city.
He had been in the habit of inserting a
column of conspicuous advertising and
paying for it very large price.
Edward Norman laid this letter down
very thoughGully. and then after a mo-
ment he took up copy of his paper
and looked through the advertising col
umns There was no connection i'm
piled in the tobacco merchants letter
between the omission of the prizefight
and the withdrawal of the advertise
ment, but he could not avoid putting
the two together. In point of fact, ht
afterward learned that the tobacco deal
er withdrew his advertisement because
he had heard that the editor of The
News was about to enter upon some
queer reform policy that would be Ger
tain to reduce its subscription list.
But the letter directed Norman's at
tention to the advertising phase of hi
paper He had not considered this be
fore. AS he glanced over the column
he could not escape the conviction tina
Jesus could not permit some of them il
his paper. What would Jesus do witt
that other long advertisement of liquor
Raymond enjoyed a system of high Ii
cense, and the saloon and the billiar
hall and the beer garden were part 0
the city's Christian civilization. H
was simply doing what every othe
business man in Raymond did, and
was one of the best paying sources 0
revenue. What would the paper do i
it cut these out? Could it live? Tha
was the question. But-was that til
question, after all? "What would Jesu
do2" That was the question he was an
swering, or trying to answer, this week
Would Jesus advertise whisky and tc
bacco in his paper2
Edward Norman asked it honestly
and after a prayer for help and wisdor
he asked Clark to come into the Office.
Clark came in feeling that the pape
was at crisis and prepared for almos
anything after his Monday morning ez
perience. This was Thursday.
"Clark, d" said Norman, speakin
slowly and carefully, 81 have bee
looking at our advertising columns an
have decided to dispense with some {
the matter as soon as the contracts ru
out. wish you would notify the az
vertising agent not to solicit or rene
the ads. | have marked here.
He handed the paper with the marke
places over to Clark, who took it an
looked over the columns with yer
serious air.
"This will mean a great loss to tt
News. How long do you think you ca
keep this sort of thing up9" Clark WI