The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-03-13
DEMOCRATIC
NEWSPAPERS

Last weeks Spokane Democrat con-
tanned an article on Democratic news
papers in the state of Washington
from he pen OF VIM. Goodyear which
contains so much that is true that
we copy il below in part lie gives
some excellent reasons why the rank
and file of the party should rally to
the support OF any honest paper that
consistently cndcavors to enhance the
party's success Mr.. Goodyear was
for years the publisher of the Colfax
Commoncr and knows by experience
whereof he speaks lie says
There are two factors which are
absolutely essential to the building
up OF a strong democratic party IN
this state: An aggressive campaign
in behalf of democratic politics and
candidates and newspapers through
which to conduct such "A campaign.
The party orgaization is weak in this
commonwealth because too much has
been sacrificed 10 secure the election
of "A few state or county Officers. In
campaign after campaign the policy
has been to avoid a iii discussion of
national lssucs for fear of Offending
republicans and thereby preventing
them from scratching their state and
county tickets In county after
county the holding of democratic
rallies and the making of democratic
speeches has been discouraged and
the editors of the few democratic
papers have been cautioned to refrain
from attacking the republican posi-
ton on national ISSUES. The election
of sheriff IN, been placed above
the election OF president; the win
ming of few offices has been con-
sidcrcd more important than the trl-
umph OF democratic principles; the
arguments of republican orators and
newspapers have been allowed to
stand unchallcngcd and unrcfutcd.
No effort has been made to maintain
the party organization between cam
paigns nor TO secure new recruits.
"Thc result has been a. disastrous
as it was inevitable and has conclu-
sivcly demonstrated that il is inpos-
sible to hold together or build up Il
national political party or merely
state or county issues.
"Anothcr fatal handicap to the par
ty has been the lack of new srapcr
J through which to present TO the pco-
pie Democratic policies and Democrat
ic arguments Newspaper support Is
absolutely essential to the success OF
any party. No orator. no matter how
great his ability or reputation. can in
one or two speeches in any commun-
ity, accomplish as much alittlc news
paper which week after week pre-
scnts the same arguments with less
ability. provided it is edited by CON
scicntious man Who believes what he
writes.
"a strong Democratic daily paper.
published in one of the large cities.
and supplemented by at least one
Democratic weekly in each county of
the state. would rcvolutionizc polti-
cal conditions in Washington There
are remarkably large number of
people who accept as gospel truth
whatever they read in "A newspaper.
provided they do not see it denied in
some other paper. Naturally, most
of them are opposed to he Democrat
ic party because they have read so
, many attacks on that party and so
few argumnetS in its favor. OCn-
verts to political party are not
made in the heat of a campaign, but
in the intervening months. when the
voters have time to read and think
over the statements and arguments
presented to them regarding political
issues, Because of the great prcpon-
E derance of ant-Dcmocratic papers "A
ma jority OF the voters of this state
have but one side OF the case present
ed to them and their political affili-
atiOns accordingly
What is the causes of this scar
city of Democratic new spaprrs!Simply
because they do not receive enough
support to Justify their publication.
Their influence is undcrcst mated and
Democrats neglect to give them their
patronage and support. Men who
think othing of contributing ten or
fifteen dollars to celebrate a Demo-
. cratic victory or of spending $50 to
500 in attending Democratic con
vcntion, are loath to even pay one
dollar year for subscription to "A
paper which would materially cOntri-
butte to making Democratic victories
frequent instead of rare. Democrat
c business and profc men, who
are always willing to contribute lib
orally to campaign fund to b. spent
in an almost helpless cause. will not
take he trouble to give their adver-
Using patronage to paper which
. if supported, would be a powerful
factor in making the cause something
more than hopeless.
"Durin1 the next few months there
' is sure to be general rcalignmcnt of
J party affliaton There never was a
time when the need and opportunity
for aggressive Democratic papers was
> so great as it is right now"
: The above article should be given
= due consideration by the Democrats of
Kittitas county. While we are not
: particularly given to kicking about
: our party and while the support Civ
l en- The Dawn the last 20 years has
not been bad, il could have made
: much greater Roadway had il had the
l loyal support of the Democrats of the
county We believe we are entitled
! to that, and we think that democrats
in other parts of the county outside
of Ellensburg who have business
10 give out had Just AS well favor the
paper that backs their political prn-
, ciplcs as to give il to the Republican
papers. The democratic paper should
: be given a share of their business.
at least, for the papers loyalty to
democratic principles.