The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-18
lSvALEpIcToRY.

1uUhsNlub ~ Soupduyta puullsueIo VI
The West Yirginian and Farmers Free
Press, now being in the hands of the
board Of directors
The writer has hofannouncement to
make az present as to definite plans
for che future but he will. as far as
he now knows, remain in Fairmont,
having another line OF business in
view, and Will Continue, for the pres.
ent, al least, on the board OF directors
Of the paper. for which lie bespeaks
your continued support and patron
age.
This action has been brought about
since the REORGANIZATION OF the paper
by difference of opinion as to mat.
ters Of policysiof the paper existing
between the editor and the stockhold.
ersg owningsa majority Of the stock in
the company.
There IS no personal differences be.
tween the writer and any Of tho stock
holders, however, whom he numbers
among his personal friends and for
whom he entertains the highest per-
sonal regard.
II has been the consistent policy Of
the editor, as he has seen it. In the
past, to advocate such principles as
The conscientiously believed TO be
right, Asdefinite policy has been here.
tofore outlined and fearlessly prose.
cuted by him, and the writer has
neyerlwavered from the course he had
mapped out, even at the risk OF los.
Ing some friends, and i'll many in
stances steering course directly
antagonisticS to the business interests
of some who have had money In.
vested in the paper. A condition OF
this kind, OF course cannot exist long
without more or less friction and In.
harmonious action, two things that
are always detrimental to the success
OF any newspaper. The writer being
unable to mold his views 10 conform
toSthoset of the ma ority stockholders,
and gbelieving It would be dishonorabie
to advocate measures in which he
does not believe, or to refrain from
espeuaing those which he deems to
be right, bows gracefully to the mex.
orable will of the majority whose
right to control can never de denied,
and steps aside with his conscience
telling him that he has striven TO do
his full duty to the subscribers OF
The West Virginian and Farmers Free
Press at all times, as he has seen 1t.
Perhapssa brief review of this long
business connection might be pardon
able at this time. More than nine
years ago, when The West Virginian
was q swaddling infant in the daily
newspaperif field, and,a heavy financial
burden upon its pregenltors,, consum-
ing about 81, 600 per year more money
than It's income, and with its insatiate
NAV crying loudly for more funds,
the writer was asked TO take the bust
ness management of the paper and
about four years later he was given
full management Of the enterprise,
including the editorial work.
During this time he has had the
satisfaction Of knowing that his ef.
forts were not altogether in vain,
having seen the business turn from
losing proposition to a money maker
and the circulation of the paper more
than doubled in the first years time.
Many had their money invested in the
paper for the iupbuilding OF tho com
munity. not exp Getting to get dividends
on their investment, but who were
firing OF the continual demand for
assessments or being asked to pur.
chase more stock to meet running OK
penses. Many dropped out by the
way side, some making a considerable
sacrifice on the sale Of their stock,
but those who have stayed through
the season of adversely have the salts
faction Of now knowing that an even
100 per cent. has been returned to
them on their investment In the
liquidition OF indebtedness and cash
dividends.
During this time some records have
been broken In one Christmas mum.
Der Of The West virginian published
over 200 columns Of paid advertising,
a record that has never before or
since been surpassed or even ap.
preached by any other local news.
paper. In 1908 an industrial edition
Of 100 magazine pages, printed on the
finest enameled paper, with cover
printed in four colors, set an enyiable
pace Tor the papers Of the state.
The business accomplishments of
The Farmers Free Press have also
been worthy of some comment. This
paper was taken over by the writer
ana q partner after the circulation
had run down to the lowest ebb and
the business was in very unsatisfac.
tory condition. Within the first four
years the circulation was more than
trebbled and q very nice profit was
made TO its owners.
The Free Press also has estab-
llshed some other records. In 1912
Il published an industrial edition of
flfty.si3 pages, consuming five tons
Of white paper, and In two successive
Chriatmas numbers 1t carried 1000
inches Of paid advertising in each ed!.
ton. making q paper OF "A pages.
These are records, we believe, that
have never been surpassed by any
West Virginia weekly newspaper.
Theee matters, Of course, are Of
only passing interest to newspaper
readers. The things for which these
papers have stood and fought are OF
more interest to them. The West
virsinian has always been found upon
the moral side OF questions OF public
interest. II took up the tight for pro.
hibihcn when II waa nathan popular
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