Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-30
Statements vs.. Facts.

cradle space Of late to quotations from
the Democratic newspapers relative 10
the State printing. Inasmucn as TIC
Kennebec Journal has been for many
wears a stalwart and aggressive fe-
publican newspaper, fighting the Da'-
ties Of its party in central Name a"o
inasmuch as its present eoltor has
r-..,v given his services upon the
stump during every campaign since
1909 in presenting Republican policies
.rd principles, 1t is perhaps not sur
prising that he should have been d
target for Democratic criticism.
The selection of a public printer IS
n,o,ter to be determined by the Re-
publican members Of the Legislature
elect in a Republican caucus. For THIS
reason the Kennebec Journal has been
content TO quote the Republican party
n.wspapers of Maine upon the subject
of the State printing. a majority or
which have already expressed them
selves upon the matter in no uncer-
tain way.
When a paper claiming to be Repub-
lican. feels under the necessity OF us
ing a long editorial from Democratic
organ. as the text for an editorial lead
or. the performance is one that carries
its own comment.
Under the circumstances II is not sur
prising to find that statements pre-
seoted as some pertinent facts" are
not facts at all.
A persistent effort has Teen made -
make it appear that tho price OF conf
nositlon paid the state printer means
type on the galley. AS matter OF fac'
II means considerably moro than this
It means type twice proof rsa d made up
INTO pages, carefully spaced and squar-
cd in the form and locked up in the
chase in readiness for the press. These
chase i'll readiness for the press. 1t COW
ora also the expense Of taking the type
form, after they leave the press and
putting them back into their original
shape. These are very import
ant steps in printing and in
the Journal office only the most
expe rienced hands arc employed on
them. How much it costs to take type
from the gllley and get it made up i'll
readiness for the press varies III diI1cr-
,.nt Offices. One Of the leading printers
of Portland. who has kept strict ac-
count Of it for many years says that II
has averaged in his own case from Is to
20 cents thousand ems. and we think
that printers generally wili regard this
as a conservative estimate.
To try to leave this expense out of
sight, and create the impression that
type on the galley constitutes the
whole cost Of composition is TO say the
least decidedly unfair and misleading.
Printers will readily undo rstand the
Again the attempt to make it appear
that newspaper composition and book
are one and the same
thing is equally misleading. Our re-
cords show that an operator will put
up OH an average in a single day, twice
as many ems Of newspaper composition
as he will of book or job composition.
Practical printers will understand
and appreciate these distinctions.
The very general endorsement
which the present Public Printer has
received in his candidacy from Repub-
lican publishers and printers repre-
senting most of the counties Of the
State. has been very good evidence
not only Of their clear appreciation Of
The conditions essential to the proper
Of the State work; but
also of their ability to see the fallacies
IF those who have sought to make po-
Iitical capital by methods of misrep-