Graham guardian., 1905-08-04

IGUARDIAN, Mr.. Birdno, is assessor
Of Graham county, and in tha'
capacity has made a determined
though unsuccessful effort to put
up TO more appropriate figures the
assessments on the great copper
mines in Graham county. The
lquickncss Of the Journal to don a
coat cut by the Oasis to fit another
is likewise a pointed circumstance.
During many years in the news
paper business has the Oasis edi.
tor seen worked the system out
lined herein, to the rum of some OF
the best newspapers in the country.
Forty years ago the Sacramento
Union was one Of the best daily
newspapers anywhere in the United
States. In the early history of the
first transcontinental railway the
Union was one of its strongest sup
porters in the great undertaking
of bridging continent. When
the corporation had grown great
and powerful, with autocratic
tendencies exhibited in many ways
that were generally resented, the
Union espoused the cause of the
people against the policy of the
corporation. The railroad compa-
ny established a competing daily
newspaper. 10 its support money
was spent with lavish hand, and
sunk without any idea of getting a
return from the legitimate sources
of newspaper revenue-subscrip-
tions and advertisements. Money
to meet the extraordinary weekly
payroll went openly from the rail-
road Office to the newspaper Office,
as did also the money to meet all
other bills the newspaper revenues
could not. An extensive and cost
ly news service with which the
Union could not compete, was con-
Quoted. That newspaper had to
pay for its news service, and most
all other expenses, out from the
Legitimate earnings Of the news
paper business. Its formidable
competitor was bound by no such
limitations, but had the bottomless
Golfers of the railway treasury
from which to draw. All the pub
lie saw was the superiority of the
new journal. 1t did not realize
that it was set up and held up by
the railway to throttle the news
paper that could not be controlled;
and the new journal developed a
large circulation, that of the Union
steadily diminishing. In hope
less effort to parallel the splendid
news service of the railway organ
its expenses were heavily increased
in the face Of q constantly decreas-
ing revenue. AT the end OF a five
years struggle the onion abandoned
the field, sold to its competitor,
and the two papers were consoli-
lated. Instantly the news service
was reduced to diminish expense
below the revenue, and the splen-
lid newspaper service enjoyed by
sacramento and vicinity during a
period of five years disappeared
rom the face of the earth. Never
ince that time--lS75-have the
people of Sacramento and the trib-
Itary region had such newspaper
IS the railroad gave in its success
ul effort to crush a critic it feared
nd hated. To do so cost many
thousand dollars; but in forever
ilencing truthful and damaging
ritie the money was well ex-
'ended.
From the railroad standpoint
here was put forth the same ex-
use for its organ the Journal now
ives for its own appearance in
afford, viz: that there is de.
hand for such newspaper--and
be railroad filed the demand Of
bat time. But the ultimate re. I
ult evidenced that the real de-
land was to get the Union out of
ne way-just as it seems at this
istance that the real demand for
be Journal in Graham county is X
'om tax sinking corporations, !
ho want to get rid OF the GUAR 2
IAN and an honest assessor. &C
-
An Atchison man fell danger