The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-17
TO BE one of the Largest.

Richmond Va) papers are enthusiastic
over the enlargement of the B. F. johnson
Publishing Company a step made nece ssa-
ry by the recent rapid growth of it,
school book trade. The capital stock Of
the company, which has been fixed at ST.
$50 600 is being rapidly taken, applications
having been received from several hundred
of the most prominent business men of
the South, and the success of the enter
prise is already assured. 1t is announced
that the plans for the DEVELOPMENT of the
company's business are in no sense of an
experimental character, The business al
ready in sight being amply sufficient 10
make the house one of the largest and
strongest publishing concerns in the coun-
try.
The development of this house furnishes
one-of the most interesting chapters in the
history of Southern enterprise. Its his
tory" says the Manufacturers Record,
like that of every great enterprise is the
history Of the genius of a man." Mr.. john
son began life as a book agent. While yet
in his teens he rented single room in the
city Of Richmond and undertook the publ
cation of books on his own account. The
business grew rapidly from the start and
in few years he found himself at the
head of one of the largest subscription
book concerns In the world Several years
ago he was urged to undertake the publi-
cation Of a series Of school books especially
adapted.to the needs of Southern children.
The beginning of the school book depart
ment like the beginning Of the subscrip-
ton book business, was small and full Of
discouragernents, but the work was stead
lily pushed in the face of all obstacles, and
to-day the johnson textbooks are in use
not only throughout the Southern states,
but in some parts of the North and in sew
eral foreign countries. one secret or the
HI hfII xvb
gained upon the affections of the Southern
people lies in the fact that it stands for
great moral principle. I'VE do not pub
lish a book" says Mr.. johnson, solely
because 1t pays, We want 1t TO pay, or
course, but first of all we want 10 know
whether IL conveys wholesome, lessons.
Our object is TO publish only such books
as will aid in the cultivation of mind, heart
and body and under no circumstances
would we be Instrumental in the distribu-
ton OF book which is not of an elevating
and helpful character.
Perhaps no other Southern enterprise
has been SO highly Endorsed. A committee
of disinterested business men, leading
inanciers Of Richmond. after careful in
vestlgation of the affairs of the house, eX-
pressed their confidence in the company
and agreed to aid In Its reorganization Tor
enlargement by acting as an advisory COM
mfttee being Influenced In the matter sole
lv by the desire TO lend a hand in the de-
velopment of an enterprise which promises
so much not only for Richmond, but for
the entire South 1t is understood that
the company wishes to place the remain
der of the stock in the hands of influential
investors who are Interested not only in
good dividends but in building up a great
publishing house In the South that viii be
capable OF competing with the largest
houses in the country, and will promote
the educa tional and material advancement
of our own people.