History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

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free government, was subject, not to the narrow and rigid rules
which applied to merely private callings, but to broad and equitable principals springing out of its relation to the public and its
duty to serve the people in the collection and publication of information relating to all their interests. The business of journalism was no longer a mere incident to the printer's trade. It had
become a great and learned profession with honored fraternal
organizations. The Government should also consider that the
newspaper was, after all due allowance for our system of schools,
the great educator of the masses of the people. And it was also
the great agency of progress in all reforms. Acting harmoniously
in their respective spheres, free government and the free press were
joint conservators of law, order and peace; each the most powerful
upholder of the other. The press and the bar, as well as the people
and the Government of the United States, are all dependent upon one
another, with the press as the leader. Therefore let us cherish the
newspapers, stigmatizing what may be corrupt in them, and applauding all that is just. This is due by the people to the people
and the press.
THE SAGINAW JOURNAL
was the first newspaper published in the Valley. The press and
type were brought here in 1836 by Norman Little, and immediately the Pioneer Journal was started, under John P. Hosmer,
with Norman Little as proprietor and Mr. Hosmer, editor. Mr.
I-osmer was manager until 1837, when he left for Pennsylvania,
and Iiram L. Miller was appointed editor. In 1838 the office was
sold, and a paper started immediately, with J. K. Avery as editor.
Of all the men who were connected with this pioneer newspaper,
Mr. Miller alone remains among the people in whose interest it
was published.
THE NORTH STAR.
This journal was issued in 1844 by R. W. Jenny. It was a
four-page quarto sheet, devoted principally to an exposition of the
principles of a Democratic republic. The little journal existed for
a few years, during which time it gave battle to Whiggism, the
world, and all enemies of the Valley of the Saginaw.
Royal W. Jenny immigrated to Michigan in 1834, and settled at
Detroit; entering a printing office there. In 1840 he projected the
Lapeer Sentinel, with Henry W. Williams as editor. In 1844 he
entered upon the publication of the Saginaw North Star, being
himself both editor and printer. He filled the offices of town clerk,
superintendent of the poor and assistant postmaster to G. D.
Williams, of Saginaw City. In February, 1847, he married Mrs.
Sophia A. Hill. Two vears later Mr. Jenny moved to Flint,
where he published the Genesee Democrat.