The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-22
CLARK,s FOURTH PAPER.

speculation is heard concerning Mr..
Clark's intention with reference to
the Helena Herald. While it is known
that he is wealthy-quite wealthy, in
fact-it is also known that he is pos
sessed Of the quality of thrift that
makes him as careful in the matter
of expenses as one less we'll off than
he. In fact, it is known that in some
things he is what is usually termed
~.close'' and does not allow a dollar
to leaves his possession unless its
equivalent in some form OF other is in
sight. Having an established and sup
posedly paying paper in the Miner,
which takes care of his interests on
the west side, and with the Indepen-
dent and Great Falls Tribune perform
ing the same duty Oh the east, it is
put his fourth paper. To attempt fur
Their publication of it as an alleged re-
publican sheet would be an exhibition
Of poor political judgment. To con-
tinue it under it's proper colors and
make it openly and avowedly demo-
cratic would be showing equally poor
business Judgment, as no necessity or
excuse exists at Helena Or in Lewis
and Clarke county for two democratic
dailies. AS MI. Clark is already in
possession Of the income of three news
papers and after next March will be
drawing a salary as senator beside, he
will not have to hustle for business for
a fourth opinion moulder. The
others will keep him supplied with
cord wood, and vegetables, while his
senatorial salary, if carefully hus-
banded. will be sufficient to pay house
rent and provide "~incidentals."
Consequently he has nc use for the
Herald and will probably seek to
dispose of it in some manner
AS a print shop the Herald is fairly
good, probably as good as some of the
despised rural outfits, but it is
doubtful if it is possessed of sufficient
actual value to pay for boxing it and
shipping it any considerable distance,
consequently he need hardly look for a
buyer who has his eye Ill some local
ity Offering inducements to fill along
felt want" Helena is not quite large
enough to support another exclusive
job printing establishment, and-any-
way the Herald is better fitted for a
newsplant-so the idea to convert it
into a shop given over solely to COM
mercial work does not appeal very
strongly, even if it may have been
entertained before the campaign,
which it probably a
Take it all around, the problem as
to what to do with the outfit no doubt
is receiving earnest thought from its
owner. Viewed from an outside and
purely disinterested standpoint, about
the only course remaining for Mr..
Clark SCENE to be to consolidate the
two Helena plants, and run a hyphen.
ated sheet. Independent-Heral
would not be such a bad sounding, if
somewhat untruthful name or if that
might not strike his fancy he could
reverse the INT and call it the
Herald independent. which, while
still open to the charge of being q
misnomer, the m%endacity of which il
would be guilty would be a little Less
apparent and as a name sound almost
as e%uphonious.
OF course, the foregoing is merely q
suggestion offered in a kindly and
we'll meaning spirit and refusal to ACT
upon it will not be taken as a desire
to give offense wilfully. In making
it The Gazette merely wishes te
show it's fraternal feeling to a member
of the craft and hopes that, ne matter
what his plans, Mr.. Clark will be sue
cessful, for he has shown himself t.
be possessed of the spirit and ambi
tions proper in a newspaper publisher
although at times his editorials may b
a little lame, but on this score he is tt
be forgiven. It is a mighty hare
strain on a man to write for foul
dailies, besides rustling advertise
menta, figuring On job work ant
rounding up delinquent Subscribers
The Gazette hopes that with the in
CREASED income he will enjoy after mex
March. he may be able to see his way