Page:History of Oregon Newspapers.pdf/224

Rh had been publishing the St. Helens paper) and that he was "square and honest in business matters;" that the Oregon Mist had been an important factor in building up the county. "Any enterprise he is connected with is likely to be of advantage to the community in which he resides."

In his salutatory Mr. Flagg noted that the men signing the card of commendation were his political opponents. The Democrat's politics, he explained, were to be reliably Democratic; "but will not support incapable and dishonest men merely because they are labeled 'Democratic.'" He asked, "If anything of local interest has happened in your neighborhood, send it in as a news item, and I will be pleased to publish it. Church notices, lectures, concerts, and entertainments of all kinds, where the object is not exclusively moneymaking, will be published free of charge."

Mr. Flagg, continuing, said:

"It is hardly necessary to remind the Democrats of Wash ington county of the need for a party organ. The recent election is too fresh in your minds to need any reminders .... no such misrepresentation hereafter will be possible, as the Democrats will be on hand to nail any slanders . . . . from unscrupulous political opponents."

The typography was typical of a rather undistinguished period. The effect of a good, newsy paper capably edited was injured by an odd assortment of ill-matched type. Timber-claim notices were conspicuous among the advertising. Important Willamette Valley names appear in the advertising: Baily, Tongue & Schulmerick (the Democrat's spelling) had a two-column advertisement for dry goods and groceries.

By August the Democrat had been enlarged to a nine-column, four-page paper, with only 9½ columns of advertising in 36 columns of space. When the paper was moved to Forest Grove the size was reduced to eight columns, or 32 in the paper.

Back to the Times:

May 25, 1891, the name of A. Rogers appears in the masthead as manager. The same name appears in the church directory as pastor of the Congregational church; probably Mr. Rogers was "doubling in brass." In a notice Mr. Rogers announced that he was taking full charge of the business and editorial management. P. O. Chilstrom, "who has been my associate under the new management, is retiring." In announcing the change, the new "manager" complains of lack of support, reciting that a neighboring Hillsboro office has invaded the field for job work, cutting the home rates in Forest Grove.

Meanwhile the Democrat, with a new publisher, G. A. Sanford succeeding Mr. Flagg, had run an evening daily paper, for a time