Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-02-12
Wanted--Democratic Newspapers.

IN Lne ndllOn, one Cnlng must De ap
parent to.all democrats, namely, tha
our party is at great disadvange il
thematter of newspapers. In the north
ern states we have comparatively few
large democratic dailies, and from tn,
very nature of things we are unlikely
to find an increasing representation
among the large dailies. There are
several reasons for this. In the first
place, successful daily in a big city is
business proposition of the first mag
nitude. 1t requires large capital tt
start it and large bank account tt
keep it going. 1t takes time to build
up newspaper business, and the daily
pay roll must be met promptly. In the
second place, daily paper Is largely
dependent upon its advertising, and the
large business interests are so intimate.
ly interviewer with the franchise hold.
ing and favor seeking corporations thai
they are to greater or less extent dom
mated by the financiers. The fact thai
most of our big.dailies are to be found
on the side of predatory wealth in ev-
cry contest, municipal, state or local
proves the potency of these influences
1t is possible, however, for the peo
pie to be informed through weekly pa
pers, and in the support of the weekly
papers the democratic party finds its
only hope of educating the voters. The
Commoner is endeavoring to do its part
in bringing before it's readers the issues
that are under discussion. Week after
week this papers presents the demo-
cratic position and combats the argu-
ments presented in behalf of the abuses
that have grown up under republican
rule. 1t appreciates the support that
it has received and the cordial words
of approval spoken by its readers, but
The Commoner's circulation is small
compared with the total democratic
vote. While it reaches into every part
of the United States-and into nearly
every county-and goes to many fore
ign countries, the names of not more
than three per cent of the democratic
voters are to be found on it's subscrip-
ton books.
The Commoner can not possibly deal
with state politics except as an issue
raised in state touches national ques-
tions? Even if The Commoner went
into the home of every democratic vo.
ter, it could not possibly deal thor
oughly with state issue since these diff
fer in the various states and can not be
fully understood by outsiders. There is
an imperative demand, therefore, for a
democratic state weekly. 1t does not
require so much capital to start week.
ly paper and it is even possible for one
to carry on another business and yet
write such editorials as may be neces-
sary to present the democratic side OF
the staue issues that arise from time to
time The Colnmoner calls for velun-
teers. Among the thousands of able
and earnest democrats in each state it
ought to be possible to secure one to
undertake the establishment of a state
paper, and such paper ought to have
a SUPPORT sufficient to cover all ex-
penses.
Nor must the work stop here. Ev-
cry county needs democratic paper.
The cost of conducting county week
ly is still less, and the editorial work
still lighter. The Commoner appeals
to the democrats OF the nation, espe-
cially to the democrats in the doubtful
states, to give this subject earnest at
tentiOn. Every democratic voter ought
to take a democratic county paper, a
democratic state paper and democrat
ic national paper. The subscription
price of weekly paper is usually 81,
and a clubbing rate could be formed be.
tween The Commoner and democrat
ic state paper and democratic county
paper by which the three could be fur
nished for 81 or 1926. The newspaper
is the least expensive form of literature.
AS part of the expense is paid by adver-
tising, the reader really gets his paper
for less than actual cost. There are
very few democrats in the nation who
could not afford to subscribe for three
such papers and the three would give
him information on all the political
questions upon which he is called upon
to act.
The democratic party can not hope
to win except through educational
work, and it can not do educational
work unless the literature can be
brought to the attention of the voters,
The predatory interests are able to fur.
nish newspapers for nothing because
they make the money back out of the
privileges which they secure from the
government, but democratic papers
must be self supporting, and they de.
serve the support of the masses so long
as they protect the rights and guard
the interests Of the general public. The
Commoner hopes to be able to notify
its readers of the establishment of week
ly democratic papers in the various
states, and will also be glad to chronicle
the establishment of county papers
committed to the support of democratic
principles and policies. Let the edu
cational work begin, and begin at once
The Commoner.
Soldier Balks Death Plot.
1t seemed to J. A. Stone, civil wal
veteran of Kemp, Tex, that a plot eX