The daily Alaskan., 1909-07-13
THE VALUE OF A NEWSPAPER

Out or the Great west comes thlS gem of eulogy to modern newspapers. At Boise, Idaho, says Newspaperdom, an old, llliterate aud inebriated man named Harry warburton, stole copy of the Statesman from a subscribers door. He was arraigned before Jus. tice Dayidge for the offense and pleaded guilty. Justice is sometimes peculiarly affected by situations con fronting it, and this seems to have been where opportunity for scathin denunciatIon and the man onto his job" met. The petty, miserable man at the bar was perhaps more com pletely humiliated by the following lecture than he could have possibly had the limit of the law been given him.
 The ottense with which you were charged and to which you entered a plea of guilty was that of larceny, The punishment under our statute might be a fine of $500 or six months in fail. or both. The market value or the actual cost of the article that you stole is most insignificant. but 10 those who need it and to those who appreciate 1t, it becomes of great Ya'ue. It is like ray of light in sick room or drop of water to thirsty flower. The modern up-to' date newspaper today is the poor mans friend and the busy mans guide.
 I've may not be able to teach a man of your age and habits to read it, but we will prevent you and others from deprlying us Of its benefits. In stealing 1t you enrich yourself not at all, for you have no comprehension or appreciation of the wide informa' ton and friendly greeting and bene- fit that 1t brings. For, although a pity, it Is true that q man who has the brass and abandonment to steal a newspaper has not the brains to read 1t.
 The newspaper comes to us as a friend; 1t greets us every morning and evening and advises us of the news of the day and of the ships that pass in the night. There is no civilization and no happy home in our land to- day without the newspaper.
 The prospector, the miner, the herder, the forest ranger, and even the criminal who Is trying to escape justice will ride for miles and miles over rough mountain trails to get from the little wooden box nailed to tree the newspaper. It tells him of home and friends and if all are well; 1t tells him of sickness or of fortune or of the condition of the market. It Is food and thought and joy to him; he welcomes 1t as his teacher and his friend. It gives him and every intellectual man, woman and child a sort of hand-hold on the doings of the day and the pulse of the country. And yet you steal that little budget of news and sell 1t, or trade 1t, or ex' change it. with &ll of its teachings and benefits, for drink of whisky for that which only blights and de Etroys and brings more darkness and more ignorance and shame.
 "In all kindness. Warburton. and sincerely hoping that the experience will be helpful to you and others. will allow you to go your way, for we have no punishment commensur ate with the offense. And as long as mercy and justice go hand in hand 1t does to me, I am going to give you & larger measure of mercy thar justice.
 "I hope your case may serve as lesson to others, for while you have been let off easy other offenders VII not be dealt with so leniently. This matter of stealing newspapers mus
 -tl A.,