The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20

things are in shape for operation and they
now start on their business career,
strangers in a new field with no friends
to favor and no enemies to fear. and
seemingly upon an equal footing and with
an equal chance for success. But here
their ways part most decidedly, and from
now on a marked contrast in the business
requirements becomes at once apparent
to the observer. ,.
The merchant opens his doors and raises
his curtains. presenting to view fresh
and Hastily arranged stock of goods that
invites attention. Passers-by, on their
way to make their daily purchases, soon
take notice of the new concern and it's
smiling proprietor, and many of these un-
consciously step in, not particularly to buy
goods, but just to look over things, to
satisfy little curiosity as it were, and
incidently to make comparison Of the
quality and prices with goods bought else
where. Once inside the store. visitors are
easily persuaded to give the new goods,
so invitingly spread before them. trial
at least: and if the purchases thus made,
afterwards prove satisfactory to the new
customer, 1t is dollars to cents that he
will come again and perhaps induce his
neighbors to come, and thus transfer to-
the newcomer a goodly share of their
patronage, II he has sense enough to use
ordinary Judgment and endeavors to Gull
tivate his business relations upon basis
of courtesy and fair and honest dealings.
Thus the merchant most always begins
business from the very first day under en-
couraging conditions and upon a profit
able basis before he has even time to get
fairly we'll acquainted with the surround
ings Of his new home.
How different with his friend the news
paperman! When the country editor
starts his plant, a few politicians may
possibly drop In to size up the possibilities
OF the new venture and perhaps now and
then citizen or two may APPEAR to salts
fy their personal curiosity, but rarely
can the country editor boast of having
been pressed the first day by cash sub
scribers or by merchants asking for ad-
Vertising space or fir job-work. With
the country editor it is hustle from the
time he "opens up shop" and an ever
lasting exertion for everything he gets as
long as he remains in the business.
The first thing required of an editor
in starting a paper, after the necessary
presses, type and other material have
been placed in position, is copy, and this
| at once calls for an exertion of his busi-
ness faculties to an extent hardly ever
thought of In any other line of business;
for copy at this time includes practically
everything expected to be printed in the
Office, from current news and editorials
to iob-work and advertisement and all
most care In order to make it palatable
to the customer and to the general pub
lic This ls no small task even under
| most favorable conditions.
| Perhaps the editors first effort will be
| to get merchants and professional men Of
| his community to take space in his new
venture, in order to give his paper pres
| tige and standing, and at the same time
sufficient financial stability to insure a
fair return upon the Investment, for it
! should be borne in mind that running a
newspaper is after all business PROPOSE
ton pure and simple, and, with occasional
exceptions, undertaken with the same OBJ
ject In view as any other business. But
| business men are, as rule, somewhat
sceptical as to the value Of space in a
paper just yenturlng into existence, and
it takes not little ingenuity, TACT, ten
acity and good Judgment to convince a
| prospective customer of the benefit of a
well-worded lad" placed with the solicit
tor. Incidentally, the editor gathers up
the local news, which, by the way is not
such an easy matter as some people may
| think, gets acquainted with the preacher
chats with the mayor, discusses the po1iti-
cal situation with the politician and then
rushes to the Office to reduce his pick
{ ings into copy for the compositors. After
! having set the boys to work, he will
| probably have to buy cord Of wood, or
der some stationery, attend to CORE
! spondence, post the books, and the same
routine, with slight variations, awaits
him the next morning and, in fact, every
day in the week. In the meanwhile he
must also look after the most importana
| part of the business,-the subscription
! list, and here again he is confronted by
! a proposition that calls for his best ef-
forts 1t is not much of trick to get
! the names of a few dozen friends on the
Hist and thus start the ball a-rolling, but
it is quite a different matter to induce
strangers to follow suit, and it takes con-
| siderable grit, perseverance and aptitude
to solicit for a paper just starting in life
and of whose permanency and general ten
dency the public is entirely in the dark
| However, country editor never does
things by halves, and by hard work, I'm.
| firing vigilance and a fixed determination
to get there, invariably succeeds in get.
ting a circulation within a reasonable
time, sufficiently large to command in.
/ fuence and respect and also the seriou:
consideration of the advertiser.
And the competence for all this display
of push and energy, skill and business ap
4 plication, zeal and devotion to ones call
ing?
1t must be conceded that a true answer
to this question would not be very com
4 plimentary to the newspaper profession
for in spite of his admitted business sa
4 gacity, his enterprising disposition and
his general superior knowledge of mel
4 and affairs, the country editor rarely ae,
4 cumulates much wealth and most alwayi
must be content with the satisfaction h
&