Page:History of Oregon Newspapers.pdf/110

Rh members of the stock company of publishers to pay their stock subscriptions. The plant (Mr. Pearne related) had cost $3,500.

In its first issue the Advocate defined its purposes and policies which such skeptical souls as Mr. Dryer and Mr. Bush were wont occasionally to question. The paper, under its name-plate, proclaim ed that it was "Devoted to Religion, Temperance, Agriculture, Education, and General Intelligence." (92).

On its editorial page the masthead told the public that the Advocate was "a weekly journal, neutral in party politics . . . published every Saturday morning . . . for an association by A. F. Waller, J. L. Parrish, J. D. Boon, C. S. Kingsley, H. K. Hines. Thomas H Pearne editor. Terms, $3.50 per annum; $2.oo for six months (invariably in advance). . . Advertising: One square (ten lines or less), three insertions, $5.00; for each additional insertion, $1."

"It is not intended (said the salutatory) that the paper shall be committed to party politics, or be made a vehicle of partisan communications. Nor is it intended to make it strictly theological and religious, much less sectarian or denominational.

The enterprise was projected to meet what was considered a great want in the newspaper literature of Ore gon-a weekly paper devoted to Religion and Morality, Temperance, and Education, Agriculture and General Intelligence-so free from party or sectarian influences as to be a welcome visitant at the firesides and reading rooms of all classes and parties. .."

In its opening number the Advocate took the readers into its confidence as to its financial condition and prospects, saying (93):

"We are not upon a safe, living scale with less than one thousand paying subscribers. We start with 550 with this week's issue. A vigorous, united effort will double this number within the next twenty days. The success or failure of our plan depends mainly upon the attention now given to this appeal by our friends and agents."

Editor Pearne was political-minded, being in fact the leading candidate for United States senator against George H. Williams for the term beginning in March, 1865. It was this activity, no doubt, that fanned the flames of opposition the brighter in contemporary newspapers.

The Oregonian took occasional digs at Brother Pearne and his paper. There was this bit of irony in the Oregonian (94)

New Dress. The Christian Advocate made its appearance in a new dress last Saturday (95). It owns its obligation to