Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-02-22
EDIT R A L


WATER THIEVES AND NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIBERS.
We don't wan to compare the two far be it from as but there is a
Out in the wids ST Colorado and other portions of the great west where
irrigation is the rule for the growing Of crops, it is not considered a crime
a moral crime-to steal waterf from a neighbors ditch-f it is thought the
act will not be detected!
Men who go to church regularly, 10 prayer meeting occasionally, who
teach Bible classes now and then, and otherwise deport themselves as gen
tlemen and scholars, steal other mems water with impunhy and cen to
thank God that they we're able to do so-whhout detection!
We have sometimes wondered whether a certain proportion of news
paper readers haven't absorbed some Of this water spirit Of the Golden West
If it's n o crime to abstract a little water, it's n o crime to beat the printer
notwithstanding there are inhibitory statutes in both cases.
AS about every newspaper has learned, men will accept a newspaper at
the postomce, read it diligently or otherwise for several years,-so some of
our exchanges say and finally attempt to eyade paying for it o the ground
that they either never subscribed or that they subscribed for a definite
period only.
1Ma sInpe ~ About nine n on o. 81, every everv hn sm snane hrone ln fm h co o. +S
and every newspaper in Codington county and about nnetynine u of
every hundred in the state-continue sending to subscribers. after an order
is nce placed for the paper.
But it is universally admitted that, rs a principle of law and equity,
goods delivered to a m and used by him, although the delivery to him may
have been an error, an be collected for.
If a merchant, though through error, the goods not having beer spe-
officially ordered, can prove the delivery of certain articles and the use of
the same, the mn accepting them and using them, for himself or his fam
lily, is held to be responsible for the worth of the goods consumed, based
upon the usual selling price at the time of delivery. This principle is so
s enerans admn Aleua' mat scarcely a san man can pc 1ound Who quite It,
The san principle applies to newspaper subscriptions. The man who
he amount :, ~ suns suny 9a urine ra - tbe e 4i 20 h % h re renetu a ns ~ ' anoent 1a
the paper. although his original subscription may have expired long ago
Wherever this matter has been tested in the courts, the publishers have won
and without exception, we think.
doesn't wish to pay for, is to refuse to take it from the postohce. 1t is the
duty of the postmaster. under the rules and regulations Of the department
to notify the publisher three different times, and to keep a record of such
notices. after which n further responsibility atachesko either the post
master or the subscriber. But this does not relieve the subscriber. of re-
sponsibfity up to the date of his refusal to accept it.
It would be infinitely better for both the public and the newspapers if the
rule applying to merchandiang-nod delivery excepting upon a specific order
with a separate order for each deivery-were applied to newspapers. 1t
will be the rule some day. Cash in advance, however, is better still.
The Saturday News does not wish to continue the paper tic a subscriber
he ceases to want it, but it has followed the general rule and has
continued a subscription that is not definitely ordered discontinued.
IL anybody, anywhere, any place, is receiving a Saturday News that, for
any reason under the sun, he doesn't wish to pay for and not knowing
whether IT IS paid for by some else, he will confer a favor upon himself
and the publisher il he will SO notify the office.
The Saturday News. however, embraces the occasion to congratulate
Itself upon the splendid list of subscribers who have stood by it and are
evincing n interest in the continuation OF the paper to their respective
addresses.
May the Giver Of all that is worth while in life continue to shower them
The Saturday News.
Amen
Y nay pc tina the poor are getting poorer, but 1T is not a fact that
'ne nn ae growing richer, for proof Of which We cite the instance Of the
tuo 81 John jacob Ashr going before the court and testfying that twenty
rnousano dollars 9 year is not enough for the support of the Astor boy,
y Il 9 ond nat tn lad isn't going barefooted in the cold cold snow!
a. exchange ventures the suggestion that If we get into raj with Ger
nan IN nex president of the United States will be some one who shall
nave taken 9 prominent part in the military operations. While we all rail-
aagalnst var and the things that lead to wal, lit is a fact that we have gen
orally regarded our military chieftains IS heroes.
One q q difficulties that is encountered In connection will the situa.I
ton with Germany lis that never before were the submarines used To- an
ppreciah extent in warfare. This, therefore. is something new