In the days of extremely partisan newspapers, it held the reputation as one of the strongest Republican publications in New York state.

[4] The merger was accomplished after Hearst acquired a controlling interest in The Journal for nearly $1,000,000.

[6] The transaction was carried out, and Hearst "sold" the publication for $1,000,000 to Syracuse Newspapers, Inc., a new corporation and publisher of the consolidated paper.

After the merger was completed, Hearst was a director of the company and still played a major role in the decision-making.

Newhouse's company, Advance Publications, discontinued the Herald-Journal and Herald-American in 2001.