Year: 1872

The Herald's Circulation Yesterday.


No more striking example of the progress Of
independent journalism in this country has
been shown than in the circulation of the
HERALD yesterday. Our regular circulation is
hundred thousand copies, but yesterday it
reached hundred and ifty-two thousand two
hundred. This solid and extraordinary issue
did not supply the demand even, and we have
no doubt that if we could have struck off two
hundred thousand copies all would have been
sold. Being determined to give the latest and
fullest returns of the elections we were unable
to 60 to press till five o'clock in the morning,
and for want of press room and other facilities
we could not issue more papers than we did.
Even with this drawback the hundred and
ffty-two thousand two hundred impress
sions were ready for distribution by
eight o'clock, and were Immediately
afterwards absorbed by an eager public. The
only time when the HERALD had previously
approached this circulation was at the sur
render of Lee at Appomattox, which was the
end of the war, it reaching then upwards Of
hundred and forty thousand. On all excit-
ing occasions the circulation runs up as
matter Of course, and at the close of the cleo
ton in this city and State last year, following
the excitement over the Tammany Ring frauds,
there was great demand for the paper; but,
as was said, yesterdays issue exceeded any
before. Nor is this in consequence of the
unusual interest taken in the elections of Tues
day only, but results from the constantly
growing appreciation Of the HERALD as an in
dependent journal, and the increasing demand
of the public for it.


The people become bewildered by the partial
and one-sided statements of the partisan news
papers and seek reliable information from the
independent press. They have seen that
throughout the political campaign which ter
minated on Tuesday evening" as indeed, on
oil like occasions, our correspondents go to all
parts Of the country, interview the leading
politicians Of every stripe and talk with the
farmers in the country and business men of
the cities everywhere In their Investigations
our correspondents have been impartial, and
have SO fairly represented the current of public
opinion that it was not difficult to foresee the
result Of last Tuesday. Such fair, impartial
and comprehensive view of the political sitra-
ton could not be obtained from the partisan
press. The democratic and liberal republican
newspapers on one side, and the administra-
ton republican journals on the other side,
colored their statements and representations
for party effect and for the purpose
of influencing the elections Even up to the
last hour, when there was little doubt Of the
result, the partisan papers could not forego
the chronic habit of misstating the situation
or of giving party color to facts Hence it
is that the American people eagerly seek in
formation from the Independent press both
before and Immediately after Presidential or
found the explanation Of the extraordinary
demand for the HERALD yesterday morning.


We regard it as one Of the most favorable
signs of the times and as promising much in
the future that the mass Of the people are thus
throwing off party trammels and prejudices.
That they are doing SO is not only seen in
their appreciation of the independent press,
but also in the way in which they voted at the
elections Of TUESDAY, irrespective of party
combinations, bargains or affiliations. Inde-
pendent journalism and such Independent &C
ton of the people will grow together to pro-
duce the best effects for the country. As q
consequence the enormous circulation which
this paper reached yesterday morning we ex-
pect to be increased on similar occasions in
the future, and we shall therefore increase our
means for supplying the public demand. The
number of copies we print never exceed the
demand. We issue none on speculation or
for effect, nor take any back. Everything in
this office is conducted on a strict business
principle. But we intend to prepare for what
ever the public requires, whether that be o
hundred and fifty thousand or two hundred
thousand circulation.