162 HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS. a new one could be built. A contract was made for re- building, and the corner was covered by a two story structure, into which the "News" moved April 21, 1899, two montlis after being burned out, the offices being erected specially for the business. An entire new plant was purchased, and the daily routine went on unchanged, not an issue of the paper being omitted. In January 1901, a Mergenthaler Linotype was installed, the first one in the county. Among the improvements advocated by the "News," were free bridges connecting the towns of the valley; consolidation of the towns into a city; improvement of the waterways; street railway lines; ship canal; improve- ment' of streets and everything that tended to the comfort and conveniencje of the people, and aid them in securing a livelihood. It was always for purity in politics, hence advocated the popular vote system, placing of primary elections under the general election laws, and the abolition of the use of money improperly, or any other means that caused corruption. It has always been on the side of tem-, perance, and advocated a prohibition amendment to the State Constitution in the campaign of 1889. It refuses the use of its columns to advertisements of liquor, or anything of that nature, and takes a stand for all that will keep pure the reading of the people and help in bettering their condition. The paper always advocated a square deal to every one, and never wilfully did any person a wrong. If at any time injustice was done to any one in its columns, it was prompt to correct it and set the matter right, and needed no law for such a purpose. In the long career of the paper it never had a libel suit. In a few cases, less than half a dozen, it was threatened with prosecution, but no attempt was made to carry the threats into execution. Its fairness was generally recognized; and
