The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1905-10-13
HONEST ADVERTISING.

The Tribune has occasion now
and then to inveigh against what
it considers dishonest advertising,
This does not include many classes
Of advertising which are generally
considered Objectionable. The
most disgusting kind Of medical,
assignation and get-rich-quick adj
vertising is not dishonest in the
sense we mean.
It is addressed to fools and
knaves. It says exactly what it
says. 1t deceives nobody. Those
who are attracted by it know what
they are doing. They do what
they know is wrong in the hope
Of getting money or gratifying the
appetite. They generally come to
grief, but that is the fore ordained
fate offools and knaves. We should
like to see this kind Of advertising
abolished, but to our mind it is not
one-half so dangerous or insidious
as that advertising which pertends
to be something else; namely local
news or editorial opinion. This
does not fool people SO much as it
used to, because they are on to the
game. But it Injuries the influence
and reputation Of newspapers, in
Guiding a respectable number that
do not practice the deception. The
public is aware Of SO much paid
advertising concealed undervarious
editorial FORMS. that it has come to.
distrust nearly every thing it sees
in newspapers.
A great reform is coming about
in this way with the aid, we are
happy to say, Of journals that will
not sell their news OF opinion. Per-
sons who want to use these papers
have to buy advertising and print
their information in it over their
own names. They begin to find
that this straight honest appeal has
more weight with, the public. even
than honest news and opinion, be-
cause the latter has been brought
into such disrepute by the pros
titute section of the press.
Many persons are coming to use
this kind Of advertising for pur-
poses. that would not have been
dreamed CT ten years ago.. The di-
rect primary has taught candida
ties for political Office to appeal di-
rectly to the people in CONSPICUOUS
signed statements that do pretend
to be anything but advertising.
Governor Douglass made his CAM
paign in Massachusetts, last year
in a series Of full-page advertise
ments. The Republican national
committee bought a good deal Of
high priced advertising space in
weekly and monthly periodicals.
The latest instance is found in
New England, where a vigorous
andapparently sincere campaign is
being made for commercial reel
procity with Canada. In New
England, as in the Northwest,ther
is a large but unorganized body of
public opinion favorable to reci-
procity. The stand-pat interest is
concentrated and organized and in
possession Of the Offices and party
machinery. The reciprocity advo-
Gates find themselves suppressed in
conventions. excluded from the
party organization, treated with
scant courtesy ofthe press and dis
trusted as practical leaders even by
people who believe as they do.
They have taken Of late to direct
appeal to the voters through dis
play advertising in the newspapers.
These set forth in simple language.
the necessary and most1urgent fea-sl
lures Of tariff. reform and beg vo-
tiers to indicate their support of
them.by cutting. coupons out Of the
advertisements, signing them and
sending them to. the Republican
committee before the next conven-
ton meets. This is the precise!
method Of honest advertiser in
trade. Wesee no reason why it.
should not succeed ii politics.
Minneapolis Tribune.
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