The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-24
A TRUST IN NEWSPAPERS.

The Columbia State, referring to the
purchase Of the Philadelphia Public Led
ger by Mr.. Ochs, says the papers that he
has recently purchased cost 81, 250, 900, and
this makes the State think the deal mot
only important in itself but full of sug
gestion." 1t wonders how "these proper
ties have been acquired at so great cost
without any previous display Of capital
by Mr.. Ochs,' and says:
"The New York Times, before Mr..
Ochs acquired it, was Democratic in
policy. So was the Philadelphia Times
The Philadelphia Ledger has long been
an independent Republican paper but
upon several of the larger issues, such
as Imperialism and the treatment of
Cuba, it has latterly held to the Demo-
cratic line OF argument. Mr.. Ochs has
made his previous purchases imperial
istic and trust-defending in their policy
and it is to be presumed that The Led
ger will prove no exception to the rule.
I'VE have said that this latest deal
is full of suggestion That is for the
reason that it makes the fourth great
newspaper, three of them metropoli-
tan, to come under the control-nomi-
nally at least-of one man. When is
this policy OF absorption to end? And
what does 1t mean that here we have
banded together several of the most
important journals of the country I'M
der one control, certain of them pur-
suing under such control policy adj
verse to that which they previously
MISUNDERSTANDING trusts, urging
ON Imperialism? Do not the circum-
stances suggest very strongly the oper-
ations of a syndicate seeking to influ-
ence public opinion in it's most virile
centres to support the great powers of
domestic monopoly and foreign ex-
ploitation in the approaching battle?
Democratic money-that is to say
Democratic money willing to go into
the newspaper business to maintain con-
sistent support of pure party principles
is not to be had by the million dollars.
Only the beneficiaries of monopoly and
special privilege possess 1t in sums so
large. and these are almost always Re-
publicans, in policy If not in name. So
the monopolization Of the press, the es-
tablshment of newspaper trusts as 1t
were. will be a Republican function
almost wholly. The Democrats might
like to take part in the operation, but
their pockets are not deep enough.
ut seems to us that the application
of trust methods to the metropolitan
press is a danger very threatening to
the future of the Democratic party or
any party standing against 'trustism.'
There are few enough papers of large
circulation in great cities that have lat
terly been Democratic even in name, and
if those that have been Democratic in
fact are to be acquired by Republican
money and attuned to Republican policies
the Democratic party will be in a des-
perate plight IN those centres of popula-
tion where heretofore it has received it's
heaviest majorities. These papers once
taken from Democratic control, it will
he exceedingly difficult to replace them,
for the expense of establishing a first
class journal in one of our great cities
is now prohibitive except to the very
wealthy-we would not like to undertake
the job without a capital of at least a
million dollars. All the interests repre-
sented by or requiring much money are
allying themselves definitely with the |
Republican party. II the newspapers |
were an exception We could hope for |
the overthrow Of all other influences
hostile to an equitable administration OF
the government, with special privileges |
for none'-but If the newspapers them |
selves, which should be the sentinels |
on the walls of the peoples interests, fall |
into the hands of the enemy the problem |
of saving the republic from complete |
control by monopolists will be wellnigh |
beyond solution.
1.-THE ease with which great trusts, rep |
resenting governmental interference with |
their monopoles, may essay control, by
purchase il in no other way, of the great |
papers Of the century lis suggested by the |
fact that the Steel trust is making, ac- |
cording to President Schwab's testimony, |
s144, 000, 900 a year profit and now holds
in it's treasury in cash and cash assets
no less than 1914, 100000 against which |
are liabilities amounting only to ST. |
GOO 600. The Steel trust could buy up |
twenty-five Public Ledgers or fifty |
illnesses a year without depriving It's |
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