The record-union. [volume], January 10, 1891, Image 1

About The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903

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VOLUME LXXX.-3STO. 121.
JOURNALISM.
Review of Its History
-THE "RECORD-UNION."
Its Past Progress and Future
Promise.
■GRIND PRINTING PLANT.
latest Improved Methods Known to
Journalistic Art
THE OLD SYSTEMS ABOLISHED,
And Lefi Behind in the Grand March of
Modern Improvement.
IT WILL BE A MODEL NEWSPAPER.
Among Otter Features ol tie "Record-Union" wiil te
tte Publication oi tie Decisions oi tne Snjreme
Court as last as Tiiey are Rendered.
On a former occasion, many years ago,
when the time seemed to demand such a
retrospect^ the Record-Union engaged
itself upon the task of sketching the his
tory of journalism in tho city of Sacra
mento. It was then a work of mingled
pleasure and of pain, of both pride and
rtgret, to ascertain with what warrant it
had come to be a proverb that Sacramento
is "tho graveyard of journalism," and
how much there was of wholesome teach
ing to be gleaned from the glance over the
careers of successful and unsuccessful pa
pers in this community.
It is more than fifteen years since that
review was made; that it served a useful
purpose cannot bo doubted, since from
thid date to this the founding and burying
of newspapers, which to that time had
averaged three to the year, has almost
ceased. We may, indeed, conclude that
the publication of that obituary and his
torical page served to check a fateful am
bition, and to call a halt in the procession
to the journalistic tombs.
Up to the date referred to thero had
beet, established in Sacramento ma period
of 2<> years, no less than 79 journals of
greater or less prominence, but all fired
• with an ambition to make impresses deep
and lasting upon tho civilization of tho
age. Of that exceeding great number no
Lew than 6G had died up to November 0,
1875, and passed to that forever from
which thero is neither waking nor return
of mortal parts to enrich the soil of pro
gress or serve the purposes of man even
never so humbly. They were tho bodies
of high hopes and crushed ambitions, of
human energy misdirected, of laudable
exertion that o'erlcapod itself, wboso re
mains were the mold and dust of imperial
Cassars not c'en "turned to clay," or fit
"to stop a hole to keep the wind away."
Their bouts went to nothingness, and
their deeds to a pitiful forge-tfulness, that
preaches solemnly of tho littleness of the
parts we play, and tho haste with which
man forgets man, and tramps unheeding
over tho ashes of lofty aspirations and the
wreck of ruined hopes.
TnE TlilE FOR A REVIEW.
The occasion upon which one of the
earliest, and one of the living enters upon
a new era in its existence, and fresher for
the race than ever, equipped by an age of
experience and grounded in tho confi
dence and esteem of tho people, suggests
the timo as fitting for taking a rapid
glance over tho field so thoroughly ex
plored in 1875, and of bringing down the
record to the present hour.
Tho Record-Union to-day puts aside
its honored forms, hallowed by so many
undying memories interwoven with the
history of tho State, and which are inex
tricably worked into aud form a part of
the most stirring and .portentious activi
ties that have characterized the romantic
history of the Pacific coast. Assuming a
new form without abandoning any of tho
features that havo made and maintained
it a cleanly, helpful, vigorous, prescient,
independent and broad-minded journal
of tho age, it robes itself in new garments
won by its faithful devotion to public in
terest and houum weal, and by its untir
ing industry and economic conduct. It
conies to its friends to-day in a form in
keeping with the times and its high
worth, augmenting its importance, con
serving the convenience and comfort of
its readers, and abreast with the best
journalistic standards of the age. It pre
sents itself with wonderfully increased
facilities for publication and for the gath
ering and dissemination of news; with a
new and elaborate dress of types, com
plete, to the remotest and least conse
quential bit of metal; with a marvelous
and rapid press of the latest and best pat
tern; with stereotyping machinery of the
foremost order; with an increased force
of skilled workmen, and with a trained,
trusted corps of newspaper men whom
interests havo for very many years been
identical with pride in the journal they
serve.
SUrREME COURT DECISIONS.
While it was not the intention to boast
of new features nor of the increased
energy with which the Record-Union
corps feels inspired, it is proper here to
punomice that, under its uew form, the
/.'
THE RECORD-UNION.
Record-Uxion will publish, as rapidly
as handed down, the opinions of the Su
preme Court of the State, and that such
first publication will be exclusive to tho
Rf.cohd-U2.-ion. The members of the
bar and tho business community will ap
preciate the high value of this depart
ment. We are able to also announce that
the distinguished literary scholar, accom
| plished writer and practiced observer. Mr.
| Edgar L. Wakeman, has been engaged to
write articles from abroad, as he travels,
for the Record-Uniona
RETROSPECTIVE.
So.it.seemseminently ntting.indeed im
peratively incumbent, that the Record
l.'.-uo.v should review again, but with
comparative brevity, the history which
it alone has undertaken to write, of jour
nals and journalism in Sacramento; then
picking up the historical thread where it
was dropped in 1876, and bringing down
the record to the present hour, that tho
chronicles of the Sacramento press may
enter upon the second part, contempo
raneous with tho account of the success
of tlie Record-Union, which its now de
parture in expedition and excellence of
publishing of each day's history, so
signilic-antly emphasizes.
THE FIRST SACRAMENTO PAPER.
Gold w;i3 discovered in Calilornia in
the winter of IS4B, and Saoramento, as a
city, was one of tho immediate results of
that important fact. Tho city was laid I
out by survey of Captain Warner in De
cember 1848, and Dr. Sherman, now Gen- !
oral W. T. Sherman was his assistant.
On the 2Sth of April, IS-19, the first Sacra
mento newspaper was boni, it being is- !
t-ued lrom Sutter's Fort by 1-;. C. Kimble j
•fc Co., and from that lbeur.d seed sprang :
all tin' journals that have since lived and
died in this cUy. Its title was the Placer
Times— it was really an off-shot of tho
San Francisco Alia California. The old
type used, picked up about tiie Alta
ollicc, was shipped up the river on the
vessel Dice me Nana (says ray mamma).
She was eight days in carrying
tho first type shipped to tho interior of
California. An old Ramage press Ava3
part of the freight, some Spanish foolscap
was secured, and ln an oflice built for the
purpose, about 600 feet from the northeast
corner of the bastion (near what is now
the corner of Twenty-eighth and X
streets) the paper was born—size, 13x18 j
inches; tho title cut in Wood with a jack
knife; the press with a bed of wood; tlio
chief tool a plane, with which to dress off
tiiis bed, as it daily roughened by inden
tations of the type.
THE ri,ACER "times."
This paper was the Times, its publica
tion day Saturdays. Kemblc & Co. in
June sold out to T. P. Per Lee etc Co., who
were succeeded in two weeks by J. 11.
Giles for E. Gilbert &. Co., and in July
the office waa moved to Front street. Tho
subscription was ?10 a year. In Novem
ber it suffered a reduction in size, but in
a few weeks resumed its old form, was re
moved to Second street, between J and
X, and in April, 1850, became a tri
weekly, with J. 11. Lawrence as editor,
and in Juno it became a daiiy. In July it
enlarged a third, in October was pur
chased by Loring Pickering, now of the
San Francisco Cell, J. E. Lawrence and
D. Aldrich, the purchase price, including
two lots and the building, being $10,000.
Aldrich soon sold to his partners. In
June, 1851, it was consolidated with its
rival, the Transcript, and its last issue is
dated June 15th.
TITE "TRANSCRIPT."
The second Sacramento paper was tho
Transcript, founded as a tri-weekly April
1,1850, by G. K. Fitch (now of the San
Francisco Bulletin), S. C. Upham, J. M.
Julian, H. S. Warner, Tlieo. Russell and
F. C. Ewer; the latter gentleman subse
quently became an Episcopal clergyman.
Tlio paper was the same size as the Times.
It sold in the summer of 1850 for §(5,000
and Juno 16, 1851 it consolidated with the
Times, and the title became the Times and
Transcript. It was enlarged to a form
somewhat larger than that of the Record-
Union. In June 1852 it left tho Sacra
mento field and was removed by ita
owners to San Francisco. December 17,
1854, it was swallowed by tho AUa-Cali
fornia.
A "TRIBUNE."
October 30, 1850, The Settlers' and
Miners' Tribune was started. James Mc-
Clatchy and L. M. Rooth being the editors.
It issued daily, except Sundays, in a
month declined to a weekly and within
sixty days gave up the ghost. December
23, 1830, the Whigs started the Sacramento
Index, Lynch, Davison &, Rolle being pro
prietors, with J. W. Winders as editor.
It was the first evening paper in Sacra
mento and a handsome sheet. It died
March 17,155 L
BIRTn OF THE "UNION."
The competition between tho Times and
the Transcript brought ou threatened re
duction of salaries, and the printers in
both offices rebelling, met and resolved to
i start a new paper. They rented an oflice
j at 21 J street, and March 10,1851, launched
I the Sacramento ]>-iity Union, which was
thus the offspring of the first strike in the
State of California. The proprietors were
Alex. Clark, W. J. Keating, Alex. C.
Cook, Job. Court, E. G. Jefferis, Chas. L,
Hnnsickcr, F. H. Harmon, W. K. Davi
son and Samuel 11. Dosh; the editor was
Dr. J. F. Morse. It took a year to get the I
new type necessary from the East, aud in
the meantime the Union appeared under
serious typographical disadvantages. The
size of the paper was 23x34 inches. It sold
at 5 cents a copy, and the daily edition
began at the figure 500. It was edited with
ability, made a specialty of full news and
rapidly won favor. On the 29th of March
it issued its first Steamer Lotion, that is, a
sheet prepared for Eastern readers and
sent out by the monthly steamers via
Panama and Nicaragua. April 29, 1851,
it became a Whig paper, but refused to be
a party organ, April 23d it enlarged to
the size it retained for many years. Jan- j
vary, 1852, several changes in owners
having taken place, H. B. Livingstone
became associate editor, and the firm of
proprietors was entitled E. G. Jefferis
tt Co. January 10, ISSO, the first Weekly
Union appeared, and in February, further
proprietorship changes liaving occurred,
Paul Morrill entered the firm, remaining
until February, 1875. In May, 1852, Dr.
Morse retired as editor and A. C. Russell
took the post until August, when Lauren
Upson assumed the position, retiring for
a time, however, in 1853, while John A.
Collins filled his place.
THE GREAT FIRE.
November 2,1852, a great fire swept the
city, and included the Union in its de
structive march. A small press and a
few types were saved, and for some days
the Union appeared as a "thumb nail"
sheet. May 1(5,1853, Jefferis and Kurtz
retired and James Anthony entered the
firm, and the title became James Anthony
& Co., and so remained until February,
1675. Several changes took place in thu
SACRAMENTO, SATURDAY MOKNTIXGr, JANUARY 10, 1891.
membership of tho firm, Mr. Morrill, for
instance, retiring in 1850 for two years
and then resuming his old interest.
Finally James Anthony and Paul Mor
rill became the sole proprietors.
The i>aper became famous throughout
the land, and could be found in every
house and camp on the coast. It was the
newspaper of the Pacific, and was inde
fatigable in publication of latest and full
est news. It commanded broad influence,
and while remaining independent was a
power political parties respected. It was
in July, 1853, that a steam engine was
first put into the office to run the presses.
In 1852 Mr. Morrill retired for a year or
so, J. Gray taking his place, and later
Thomas Gardiner acquiring an interest iv
the journal. Mr. Larkin had come into
the firm in 1553, and remained interested
until net long prior to the sale of tho
paper. Mr. Upson was twelve years
editor-in-chief of the Union and was suc
ceeded by 11. C. Watson, who served un
til his death, in July, 1867, and was suc
ceeded by Samuel Seabough, who re
mained editor-in-chief until the union of
the paper with the Record, when George
Frederick Parsons, editor of the latter
paper, became editor of the new journal.
CONSOLIDATION.
February —, 1875, the Union was con
solidated Jith the Record, and became
the Record-Union, wilii the Sacrament.)
Publishing Company as proprietors. The
j Weekly Record was absorbed by the
j Weekly Union, and the new pap \- eon-
I tinned to till tho field of the o. Union
j with added news facilities an.', c u-gy,
j and meeting, of course, vviMi f;-. i .ore of
I competition than the Uu< .> encountered,
as papers sprang up in Sao Francisco and
throughout the State, an-i telegraph and
railroad lines had changed tho whole
character of transmission news. The
Union building, now tho Record-Union
budding, was exacted in January, 1861.
DEMOCRATIC JOURNAL.
February 5, 1852, V. E. Geiger <fc Co.
issued tho Democratic Slate. Journal. It
was the size of the Union, and V. E.
(Jeiger and B. F. Washington were the
editors. It supported John Bigier in his
political aspirations, while the Times and
Transcript championed the cause of
William M. Gwin. Eariy in 1853 Wash
ington retired, and was succeeded by B.
jB. Redding as editor. The fire of 1852
destroyed the paper office, and in July
' the Journal consolidated with tho Cali
\fornian, with B. B. Redding, P. C. John
son, S. J. May aud James McClatchy as
I proprietors. Several changes in owner
ship took place rapidly, and in the fall of
1854, William Walker, afterwards General
Walker, "the gray-eyed man of destiny,"
was editor. Iv June, 1857, the paper was
'"'"" ~^i-iriil*.ii__.:,. ',;: TZ. ... .:; ::, -l."_i_. :*"■*-' A. A::"- . '"'A '■ :" "" :.A - . A:. :■, ;^^ :j -iE«i^^^'"*'- a^'l»s-----»1'- - —
sold out by tho ShorifT, bought in by the
printers in the office, and after a pause
of a month, reappeared with a new pro
prietorship, with H. Shipley and R. Rust
as editors. They were succeeded by S.
W. Ravely and P. W. S. Rayle, who
bought up a controlling interest in the
paper, which expired Juno 24, 1858.
a daptist sheet.
August, 1852, T. Alter started a weekly
Baptist paper, with O. C. Wheeler and E.
J. Thelis as editors. It lived but about a
year and put its owner -33,000 in debt. The
exact date of its death is unknown, and
even its name we do not now ascertain.
a settler paper.
Xovember 17, 1552, E. Williamson it
Co., with James McClatchy and D. J.
Thomas as editors, founded The Daily
California^, a settler Democratic paper;
Z. J. May bought in and became editor
April, 1553. July 30th the Californian.
and the State Journal became one.
a statesman.
Not until November 13, 1854, was an
other effort made to run a newspaper in
Sacramento. On that date J. W. Gish <fc
Co. founded the California Statesman as
a morning journal, with Henry Meredith
as editor. An unfortunate lawsuit, in
which the Democratic quarrel between
Broderick and Gwin played a large part,
swamped the paper, and in March, 1855,
it expired.
A FARMER.
The California Farmer and Journal of
Useful Scieyice began publication iv Sac
ramento May, 1855, it having issued for a
year already in San Francisco. Warner
& Son, and J. K. Phillips it Co. were pro
prietors, and Dr. J. F. Morse the first
editor. In July, 1850, the paper was
moved back to San Francisco. Dr. Morse
und S. Colville in 1854 fssucd the first and
only number of the monthly magazine,
Illustrated Sketches of California. It was
a brilliant beginning. March 13.1854, J.
M. Sheppard it Co. issued tho Daily Dem
ocrat. It lived a little over throe months.
July 15, 1854, a Baptist semi-monthly,
The Pacific Recorder, appeared. In July,
1855, it became a weekly, and in March,
1850, died with Christian resignation to
unsparing fate. December, 1851, the Cali
fornia Almanac and Register made its
first and last appearance.
ANOTHER TRIBUNE.
Juno 5,1855, the State Tribune was born
as a daily, French <fc May proprietors. It
had a turbulent existence, and "was
twins" at one time, the proprietor chang
ing and quarreling, and each of two sets
issuing what claimed to be the simon
pure Tribune. The paper died June 1,
1856, after an existenoe of trouble, bitter
ness, debt, and general "row," in which
Democratic contentions and jealousies
were sadly mixed up.
AN AMERICAN.
From the ashes of the Tribune the OaU-
fornia American arose June 2,1856. A
radical Know-Xothing organ, as was its
proprietor. James Allen, S. J. May and
John R. Ridge were proprietors, with
Mr. Allen as editor. He was succeeded
by Mr. Ridge in January, 1857. The paper
lost £15,000 in the first six months, and
died February, 1857. The Water Fount
und Home Journal, a weekly, was im
ported from San Francisco December,
1855. It lived but nine months. The
•Spirit of the Age, au independent evening
paper, was started Deoembai 6, 1855, by
George 11. Baker. In June it changed its
title to the ■Sacramento Age, enlarged and
had new proprietors, with J. S, Robb as
editor. In the summer of 1856 the Age
was sold to the Know-Xothing party, aiid
died early in 1857. December 24, 1855, A.
Badlam & Co. founded the Daily Evening
Tunes, which breathed its last March,
1856. It was; worked on a wooden press
made by tho publishers. They took the
remains of the Timet to a mountain
county, and tried to revivify tiie sheet,
but brought it back soou to Sacramento,
where it again expired.
STII.L ANOTHEH.
December 11, 185<>, The Ci'.y Daily Hem,
with Paschal Coggins editor, was born.
C. Bab!i and W. li. Harvey being its pro
prietors. It lived a fiifnl lite seven
| months. Cornelius Cole <fc Co. August
15, 1856, started the Daily Morning Times
jas a Republican paper. In November it
changed to an evening edition, later to a
weekly and January 24, 1857, went into
the newspaper charnel-house. Ze Too
Yurie, alias Hung Tai, started tho Chinese
Newt, a daily, printed in Chinese charac
j ters, December l*s<>. It was a bright
J paper and created mnch interest. It be
i came a tri-weekly, then a weekly, next a
! monthly and after nearly two years of life,
died.
the "bee."
The Temperance Mirror, a quarto
monthly, was started by <>. B. Turrell
January, 1857, made one issue, then re
moved to Sau Francisco and died there in
.March of the same year. February 3,
l'<s7, the Daily Morning lire w:is founded.
It was edited by J. R. Ridge aud S. J.
May as an independent journal. L. C.
Chandler, L. P. Davis, John Church and
Tobey were proprietors. It was a iive
eolumn paper. April 0, 1857, it became
an evening paper. That summer James
McClatftby succeeded Mr. Kidge as editor
in-chief. In 1858 a new firm was an
nouncod-as in charge. In its first year
the paper was enlarged lo seven columns
to the page. April 8, ISBQ, J. O'Loa.y
bought into tho tirm, which became L. P.
Davis & Co. December 23, 18-'>3, G. 11.
Winterburn bought out Tobey, and
sold to J-.uues McClatchy February 12,
1886. June 26, 1872, Sir. McClatchy
bought out Davis, and the firm became
James McClatchy it Co. August 1, 1572,
J. F. Sheehan bought into the psiper and
took superintendence of tho business de
partment. Xovember 1, 1879, C. K. Mc-
Clatchy was admitted as a partner, and
was attached to the editorial corps. Octo
ber 25, 185-i, James McClatchy died while
on a visit to Paraiso Springs. He was
deeply mourned, and his death esteemed
a community loss. January 22, 1884, the
paper passed entirely into the hands of*
the family of James McClatchy, Mr. Shee. j
han selling out his interest, C. K. Mc-
Clatchy being managing editor, a position
he took on his father's death, and V. S.
McClatchy becoming business manager.
For a time tho lice published a semi
weekly^ but its publication was discon
tinued in 1872, and all effort concentrated
on the daily and weekly. A few years
ago the Bee added a fine perfecting press
to its office, of the Goss pattern.
A HOST OF THEM.
A great many journals appeared now
with rapidity. July, 1857, 'appeared the
Star of the Pacific, religious, quarto,
monthly; died December, 1857: resur
rected May, 1868; finally buried later in
that year. The Daily State Sentinel, J.
11. Atkins <fc Co., daily, morning; died
early in 1868, after a lift of less than one
year. August I£2, 1557, The Eye Glass.
C. A. Sumner issued a single number.
The Covenant and Odd Fellows' Maga
zine, monthly, thirty-two pages, August
31, 1857; died June, 1838. Temperance.
Register, 11. Davison <te Co., monthly,
September, 1857, quarto; lived three
months. December 20, 1857, Herald of
the Morning, a Sunday paper, J. C. Mc-
Donald & Co., publishers; Colonel B.
McDonald editor, spiritualistic; lived
four weeks. The Plucnix, afternoon, the
Übiquitos, a scurrilous sheet by E. Ai;--
Gfofwan. began in the fall of 1857 aa an wc
oaatonal, and died in about eight months.
The Watch Doa, January 1, 1858, by J.
Mortimer Smith, twin to the Phoenix, and
lived three months.
BTII.L GROWS THE LIST.
The Visitor, March 2tt, 1858, Brown,
Ingham <fc Co., daily evening, J. Coggins
editor; died June 1,1858. The Mercury,
March 28, 1858, Democratic, H. S. Foushee
publisher, W. S. Long editor; died Octo
ber 12, 1853. Statesman (Xo. 2), May,
1858, S. W. Ravely publisher, A. C. Rus
sell editor, daily, Democratic; died June
24th. Californian (Xo. 2), D. J. Thomas,
July. 1858; died, aged one week. The
Baptist Circular, August, 1858; died in the
spring of 1859. The Morning Star, Demo
cratic, daily; was born and died in 1859.
Daily Register, Democratic morniug
paper, Harvey, Houhton <fc Co., J. C.
Xabriskie nnd Wm. Bailsman editors; it
was started and ran all its course within
the year 1859.
"democratic standard."
The rival of the Register was the Demo
cratic Mandard, founded February 2S,
1*59. by J. R. Hardenbergh, with Chas.
T. Botts as editor; June 2, 1800, it ceased
as a daily, struggled a while as a weekly
and late m tho fall of 18§0 expired.; Me-
Alpin and. Geo. C. Gor ham were for a
time writers on the paper. June, 1800,
Daily Democrat, Henry Bidleman <fe Co..
M. G. Upton editor; it fell with the
autumn leaves. June 24, istiO, Folger <fe
Co. issued The. Daily Evening Sews,
Democratic; the Folgers were editors at
first, followed by Geo. C. Gorham and
Albert S. Evans; the paper lived nine
months. R. W. Lewis tt Co. begun The
Evening Post October, 1800, as an inde
pendent; it soon camo out Republican; it
died September, 1860. In the winter of
June McDonald started The Advertiser, a
gratuitous shoet, which lived a few
months. The Rescue, organ of the Good
Templars, was founded in San Francisco,
February, 1862; it has been moved to and
trom Sacramento several times; it is now
Issued from this city; It is a weekly of
eight pages, and Geo. B. Katzenstein con
ducts it.
MORE YET.
The Evening Star, Mnv 25, 1864, by a
company with J. J. Beebe and Alex.Bad
lam prominent in it. It lived three
months. Tho California Republican,
Democratic, January 4, 1863, Conley, Pat
rick & Co., Beriah Brown, editor; the pa
per died in tho fall of the year. The Gold
en Gate Spiritual Springs of 186-1; died an
infant. The California Express, Demo
cratic, camo from Marysville December
23, 1866, and died here July, 1867.
THE "RECORD" APPEARS.
Fobrnary of 1867, the Daily Record ap
peared as an independent evening paper,
by J. J. Keegan, John L. Sickler, J. P.
Dray, It. E. Draper, and thereafter for a
time, John F. Sheehan. Draper was tho
first editor of the new daily, aud was suc
ceeded in a month by W. S. Johnston, lie
by J. B. McQuillan, he by R. A. Bird,
and ho by Geo. Frederic Parsons. In
1872 W. H. Mills and A. I). Wood bought
the paper and Mr. Mills became manager
of the journal. December 2, 1867, the
Record had changed to a daily morning
paper. It was enlarged under its new
and vigorous management, issued a
weekly, and then a send-weekly, and for
a time an evening edition also. It en
gaged the best writers, had a large corps
of correspondents, secured broad facilities
forgetting news, and became, because df
its ability and enterprise, a power in the
land and a strong competitor of the
Union. It espoused the progres
sive thought of the day, ftivorod
development of the railway system
of the State, stimulate <i of immigration
and tho fostering of irrigation, it was a
pioneer in advocating these things, in
cluding preservation of garni- and forests,
exhibition of California produc ■•>, etc [n
1871-2 it published tiie fullest and finest
phonographic reports of legislative pro
ceedings ever taken and printed, morn
ing after morning, printing
NINETEEN COLUMNS
Of proceedings in solid nonpareil. It is
sue;', as did the Union, holiday sheets
with the opening of the new- year, and
gave especial attention bo exhaustive sta
tistical information concerning the State.
February 22, 1575, the Record and the
Union ceased their rivalry and were
united, Mr. Parsons remaining editor and
Mr. Mills General Manager. Mr. Wood
had retired some littie time before. A
company was formed and the Rbcorp-
Urn.-.x appeared under the auspices of the I
Sacramento Publishing Company, as it
does to this day. Mr. Parsons left the j
editorial chair for Eastern journalism in
January. 1883, and was succeeded by<J. |
A. Woodson. Mr. Mills at the same time j
removed to San Francisco, but still re
tains the Presidency of the company.
T. W. Sheehan was appointed General
Agent, and S. E. Carringlon acted as
Managing Editor. In April, 1889, Mr.
Carrington retired, and E. B. Willis and
T. \V. Sheehan were appointed General
Managers of the paper, tho former as-1
Burning tho duties of Managing Editor '
and the latter those of Business Mana- [
ger. The Record-Union occupies the |
old building of the Union on Third street, i
between J and K. For many years it ran
a semi-weekly issue, but found greater
convenience and success in the weekly it
now issues. May 19, 1889, tho Sunday
Union was founded by tho Record-
Union. It has a large measure of success.
THE LINE STRETCHES OUT
July 23,1507, the Expositor, daily Dem
ocratic; died September 9th. The Young
American, February 26, 1864, lived eleven
weeks. About tho same time there flour
ished for brief periods My Paper, Pioneer
Blusterer, The Anti-Office-Seeker, Sunday
Times, Hesperian, Student's Repository,
State Fair Paper, etc. In the winter of
1864 Charles do Young started the Dra
matic Chronicle, a small daily gratuitous
sheet. In nine months he removed it to
San Francisco, and out of it grow the San
Francisco Chronicle, of to-day. Tho Tra
veler's Guide, weekly, 1865, and lived a
few years. Railroad Guzetter, 18ti5, still
published by 11. S. Crocker & Co., month
ly. January 12, 1808, the State Capital
Reporter, Democratic. It became by law
"the litigant" paper, and thus tecureda
fine income from legal advertising:. In
1572 the Legislature took away this bread,
und In May the paper ceased to issue as a
daily. July 30, 1872, it died. I-lonry
George, the great singlo-tax advocate,
was the first editor of the Reporter, lie
was succeeded by J. I<\ Linthieum, an
able man. Oscar T. Shuck was tho lsat
editor of the paper.
A FEW MORE.
The Sacramento Democrat, August 3,
1871, daily Democratic; died September
5, 1871. The Locomotive, spring of 187'f.
local, advertising, weekly. It changed
hands several times, once its name, be
coming The People's Champion. It died
in the summer of 1574.
GERMAN.
June 6,1868. K. F. Wiemyer & Co. (K.
F. Wiemyer, A. M. Schntt and Charles
Schmidt) founded the semi-woekly Sacra
mento Journal (German). In 1875 it issued
also in Oakland, but soon after confined
itself to Sacramento wholly. Mr. Wie
myer died in April, 1889, and in July the
Journal was absorbed by the Nord Cali
fornia Herold, which Mr. Schmidt had
founded meanwhile. March 20, 1860, B.
F. Iluntlev it Co. founded tho Evening
Neu-s. It lived three months. Tho Sun
day Free Press appeared but once, Feb
ruary, 1873. Early in 1873 the Valley
World, a literary weekly, edited by Rev. j
J. H. <J. Bonte, appeared. It lived nearly ;
a year. Tha Sacramento Valley Agricult-■
urist began February, 1574, Da vis <fc Stock
ton. It changed from monthly taweekly
in June, 1874. It changed hands, Juicbdied i
somewhere in the winter of 1875-6.
NEAR THE END.
The Occidental Star, devoted to Jewish
interests, was founded in January, 1873,
weekly, and lived about five months.
Common flfciMe, a medical reform journal. |
was born December, 1873, and died March, ;
1874. The Winning lira//, a woman's pa
per, began September, P?73, and died Feb
ruary, 1574. The Mercantile Globe, adver
tising sheet, began August, 1872, and
flickered out in the winter of 1875-6, as
the Sacramento Globe. The California
Teacher, for a long time issued from tho
State Printing Office, was founded about
1867, but has how ceased as an official pa
per, aud a private publication in Sau
Francisco has taken its place. The State
Fair Gazette was the earliest of the State
Fair papers founded. It has been fol
lowed by several.
A HERALD.
The Evening Herald was begun as an
independent paper March S 1875, by
Gardner, Larkin, Fellows & Major, with
E. A. Rockwell as editor. It lived some
thing over a year. The Enterprise, a
Sunday paper, was founded by Crites,
Davis <fe Alexander, August 20, 1875. It
died with the ninth issue. For about two
years the Budget was published by young
ladies of the Sacramento Seminary. Tho
Business College Journal, E. C. Atkin
son—Sacramonto Business College—is an
occasional educational paper. The Bain
bridge Business College, in the summer
of 1880. began an eight-page monthly,
the College Messenger.
THE LEADER.
The Sunday Leader was founded by
John N. Larkin October, 1575, and he and
his'son still conduct it successfully. The
Daily Sun (Worldngman's party organ)
began in the spring of 1870. It lived but
a few months. In ISS'J the Sunday Capi
tal was founded by Robinette &■ Goode,
Robinette sold out to Goode in about a
year. X. E. Whito bought out Goode,
and ran it about six months and sold out
to Miller A: Ellery, in order to take a place
on the Record-Union. Miller <V Ellery
ran it about six months,-when they con
tracted with a Democratic company to run
it tta 9 daily, but it was nor a success, and
in 9 few months it died after a total life of
ab en three years.
Early in 1880 Ford & Venable started a
daily paper; the State Democrat, which
appeard as an evening paper about six
months. In October, ls&i, Gregg 6c Co.
started the Prohibitionist, which had a
fitful existence as a daily for two years.
The Occidental Medical Times, monthly
magazine, J. H. Parkinson, M. P., was
founded March, I*B7, and has achieved
much success. The Daily Evening Jour
nal was founded July 4, 1888, by
11. A. Weaver, and lived up to
October Ist. The Nord California Herold
was founded by Chas. Schmitt September
5. 1885, and still lives, a large, nourishing
German weekly paper.
Themis is an eight page weekly founded
by A. J. Johnston tt Co., with W. J.
Davis, W. A. Anderson and Geo. A.
Blancliard editors, in Febraary, 1889. It
has had a successful course, and still
exists.
The Christian Herald, managed by
Rev. Mr. Growdcn, of the Christian
Church, was started in the winter of 1890
as a monthly, aud had four or five issues.
From 18S5 to 1887 amateur journalism
seized upon Sacramento, and a number of
small and creditable sheets were issued .
by youths.
the last.
The latest audition to the journalism of
Sacramento is The Evening yews, which
was founded by Wells Driiry, December,
1890.
During 1800 C. n. Leadbetter, Jr., A Co.
got out a couple of issues of a creditable
monthly, the Pacific National Guardsman.
It was then removed to San Francisco,
and latterly has not been heard of.
We exclude in this review a number of
temporary sheets and purely special
issues, theatrical programmes, arid papers
issued for a particular purpose, and not
as newspapers of general circulation.
THE VERY LATEST
Event, but one, in this history, is the re
tirement this week of A. J. Johnston
from the Themis, the weekly journal re
ferred to, and the purchase of tho paper
by John H. Miller, an old newspaper
man, who received his training upon the
RECORD-UNION. And now, before de
scribing the very latest event in the his
tory of Sacramento journalism, tho
change of the form of
THE RECORD-UNION
This morning, and the Inauguration of
tho beautiful new lightning press, we
proceed to make a synopsis of all we have
touched upon.
living JOURNALS.
Daily Union...|Mar.l9,'sl > "Rceord-Unton.
Dully Record...l-'eb.'j,'07.. i Feb. 22, 1875
3K',H y lTlli' jn-!-hui. 10*62 ( S< ini-WeeklyUn
\\ kly Record. l><c.2.'t>7... V; i0n,Feb.22,'75.
B W Record....!Oc-t.7.'71... ) Weekly Union.
Sunday Union May ISVS9..
Daily Bee Feb.3,'o7 JDaily.
Weekly lite I
The Rescue [Feb., 1864... Weekly.
Occidental) *
Med'l Tlmes.LMar.lßß7 1 Monthly.
Ehemts I'd... 1889... Weekly.
«ader iOct., 1875.... Sundays.
gews iDec., 15U0... [Evening.
>iord- Califor
nia Herold... Sept. 5.1555 Seml-Wccklv.
Total. i\
And the following regularly issued in
special interests and entered at the Post
office but not properly to be classed as
newspapers: R. R. Gazetteer, College
Journal, College Messenger, Fair Gazette.
DEFUNCT JOURNALS.
Placer Times. jßecorder.
Transcript. California Almanac.
Times and Transcript. Farmer.
8. and M. Tribune. Tribune.
Sacramento Index. Tribune. Xo. 2.
Journal. |Amerlean.
Banner. • [Water Front.
Callfornian. Spirit of tiie Age.
Baptist Journal. i livening Times.
Statesman, litem.
Illustrated California. iTimes.
Democrat. No. 1. Chinese News.
Star of I\icilic. : Anti-Office Seeker.
state Sentinel. Footllght.
Eye Glass. Olive Rranch.
Covenant. 'Übiquitous.
Temperance Register. [Evening News.
Herald of the Morning, locomotive,
statesman, No. 2. IWorld.
Baptist Circular. iGiobe.
Register. Occidental Star.
Democrat, Xo. 2, Common KMise.
Post. Journal (German).
Evening Star. Journal.
Golden Gate. Agriculturist.
Express. gnu
My Paper. Christian Herald.
Pioneer. Reporter.
Bluster. Democrat, Xo. 3.
Phoenix. Champion.
Watch Dog. -California Teacher.
Visitor. I Free Press.
Mercury. (Winning Way.
Califotnian, Xo. 2. Enterprise.
Morning Star. Capital.
Standard. Herald.
News. Budget.
Republican. Guardsman.
Young America. Evening Herald.
Cnronicle. State Democrat.
Expositor. iProhibitionist.
Total deceased „_ 8°
Total living t H
Sum total in forty-two years „ 93
WHOLE XO. 15,362.
OUR LIGHTNING PRESS.
THE "RECORD-VXIOX'S" MARVEL.
OPS PRIXTIXG MACHINE.
An Invention Which Touches the Pln«
nacle of Mechanical Ingenuity-
Stereotyping Department.
The Record-Union is printed to-day
on the most perfect printing machine ever
brought to the Pacific coast, which is say
ing a great deal, when the fine presses in
some of tho Sau Francisco offices are
taken into consideration. But it is never
theless true, for the machine has just boon
built expressly for this paper by the Goss
Printing Press Company of Chicago, and
has many advantages over even tho last
press built by the same company prior to
this one. Tho builders havo availed of
every possible improvement, and have
avoided all the mistakes that have been
discovered in other presses. Tho result
is that the Record-Union's new press
touches the pinnacle of mechanical inge
nuity.
The past century has seen greater ad
vances in scientific and mechanical inven
tion than all of tho ages that have passed,
and no greater progress has been made in
mechanism, scieuco or art, than in the de
velopment of the printing press. From
the crude hand-press of a. century ago to
the lightning machines of the present
day is a leap -which almost paralyzes the
mind to contemplate. Think of the old
hand-press upon which two men labored
hard to produce 200 papers printed upon
one side, and then contemplate the tri
umph of mechanism upon which this
paper is printed to-day, which will print,
cut, pasto and fold four, six, eight or
twelve-page papers complete, from one
roll of paper, at tho rate of 21,000 per hour.
During the first half of the century tho
cylinder press was evolved and some im
provements made, but tho greatest ad
vance has been made during the past
twenty-five years. In fact improve
ments have come so fast that tho result is
almost bewildering.
THE (lOSS PRESSES
Are now recognized all over the United
Suites as the equal of the Hoe presses in
every particular, while possessing some
particular advantages over them. The
three Goss brothers have been for many
years manufacturing small presses, but
about five years ago they organized tlie
Goss Printing Press Company of Chi
cago, and at once entered upon tho build
ing of larger presses. They wero deter
mined to produce a press which for com
pactness, simplicity and rapidity should
surpass anything that had yet been made.
They have at last accomplished just what
they desired in two presses just com
pleted, one of which is now running in I
the Record-Union offico and tho other
in tho oflice of the Chicago Times. They
have spared neither time nor expense in
the manufacture of these machines, which
have many improvements on all the late
inventions, and without doubt stand un
equaled in Amoriea.
TESTED IN CHICAGO.
Before shipping the Record-Union
press to this city it was put together in '
Chicago and thoroughly tested, showing a '
speed of 24,000 impressions an hour, and .
even more if an emergency required it.
Mr. W. T. Goss then came on with a com
petent corps of machinists, and put the
press in position in the Record-Union
press room, where it can bo seen by visit
ors at any time. It has many
advantages over any other printing
machine that has been brought
to this coast. Being capable of printing
a three-page-wide sheet, it will print,
paste and fold with equal facility a four,
six, eight or twulve-pago paper in ono
operation and all from one .roll. One of
its special advantages is its capacity to
turn out a six-page paper with the singlo
sheet pasted in. Other so-called insert
presses paste the single shoot on tho out
side. It prints any number of pages
mentioned and delivers them pasted,
folded and Counted at a rate of 24,000 per
hour.
The mechanical work upon it is superb,
and the iron and steel of the machine is
of tho most solid and enduring character.
Tho frames of the lato improved 1100
press are known as box frames, while
those of the Goss aro of solid iron. All
the bearings and shafts are of steel, and
the shafts were forced through the iron
cylinders by a hydraulic pressure of
twenty-five tons. Another great advant
age of the machine over others is its sim
plicity and concentration. It is but four
teen feet niuo inches in length, six feet
high and six feet wide.
HOW THE PAPER IS PRINTED.
The blank paper, which is on an endless
roll, starts from an iron spindle at the
extreme rear of the press, and passes be
tween two cylinders, one of wliich is
covered with felt and rubber blankets,
while tho other holds the stereotyped
plates, thus printing tho inside of the
sheet. It then travels around a cylinder
twice as large as the others, and receives
the second impression, which is the out
side of the paper. From this cylinder it
is conveyed to a series of cutting cylin
ders, after which it reaches the top of the
press, on a direct angle to tho collecting
cylinder, where the sheets aro superim
posed upon themselves, pasted and thou
sent to tho folder, there receiving ono
longitudinal fold, then one across the col
umns, and once over all. After passing r
through the folding process the papers ard
delivered into two receiving boxes, hav
ing been counted and the fi umber regis- •
tered while they are passing through the -
folder.
There is a roller motion connected with
this press, the invention of Mr. Goss, -
which no other machine has. It is so
constructed that tho pressman can adjust'
his form or inking rollers, and should
any imperfection appear in tho printing,
all that is necessary for tho pressman to '
do is to draw a pin, which disconnects all
the rollers, so that the trouble can ba
remedied instantly. Under the old sys
tem each roller had to bo adjusted sepa
rately, and if any difficulty occurred, the
unscrewing and resetting occasioned con
siderable loss of time. This in itself is a
great feature. An experienced press
man can see at once the great utility
of this contrivance, as it makes it possible
for the pressman to receive a plate from
the stereotyper and get the press in mo
tion again in one minute's time.
THE WETTINO MACItIXE,
The wetting machine, which is apart
from tho press, is an interesting pieoe of
mechanical ingenuity. A roll of paper as
it comes from the warehouse is placed on
a spindle. It .starts in motion and first
passes under a tension roller and in doing
so is dampened by spray, which is regu"
lated by a series of little faucets. The
endless sheet then passes under a largo
cylinder, which causes the paper to travel,
and it is revolved on au iron core, after
which it is ready for the press. Tho great
advantage of this machine i 3 its positive
ncss, simplicity and high speed.
THE STEREOTYPING* DEPARTMENT.
The stereotyping department is fitted
up with all the latest improvements, and
Ins at its head a thoroughly competent
stereotyper.
The power for running all of the ma
chinery is obtained from a large new en
gine lately built for the purpose by M. R,
Rose, of this city.