Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-01-19
Pdltor,al convent q

| engaged in the profession, in Western Mass
chusetts and full and free interchange of opin-
ions upon all subjects connected with the news
paper business, UGH as the terms of subscriptz
ion, advertising, advertising agencies, apprenti-
ces, job offices, &C., with reference to estaoisn-
ing more uniform system of transac'ing the
business ofpublishing, and obtaining more re-
munerative prices. The'HaternHy was very iuily
represented, between thirty ana forty delegates
from ,be various establishments in the district,
be;ne nreseft. At hall past nine o'clock the Con-
vensiou came to order, and Hon Henry Chicken
ing, of the North Adams Transcript, was called
to the chair J. d. Gushing of the Great Bar
ringtOn Courier and Elijah Porter of the West
field News, were chosen Vice Presidents, and P.
L, Buel, Secretary.
| The Convention then entered upon the discus
ing Of the subject of terms of payment upon
newspapers. There was great unanimity of SEN
timent among the members, in favor of advance
| payments, in all cases the experience of nearly
! all present going to show that IA very large por-
ton of the profits of publishing was absorbed by
bad debts, or uncollectable accounts against pat
rons, residing in distant localities. Without
taking any definite action upon the subject it was
finally referred to a committee, with instructions
to report at future meeting The prices of ad-
vertising formed fruitful subject of discussion,
and it was evident, from comparing notes with
one another, that, in some parts of Western
Massachusetts, this branch of the business has been
carried on at ruinously low rates. The subject of
advertising agencies in the large cities was fully
discussed in this connection, and the prevailing
sentiment of the Convention appeared to be, that
as at present conducted, they were neither bene-
fetal to the country press, or advantageous to
the mercantile community. The arrogant at
tempts of " B. Palmer to coercc the country
! press, into compliance with his insolent de-
mands was very freely commented upon, and the
| following resolution, designed especially to
meet his case was passed, by unanimous
/ vote
ReSolUed, That publishers of papers owe it to
their own selfrespect and regard to fair dealing,
| to submit to no dictation that requires to
| knowledge any man ''sole' or Exclusive"
| agent; and that in case will we receive adj
vertisements from advertising agencies at less
| than our regular rates.
/ 1t was agreed to form the Western Massachtt-
sets Editors and Publishers Associ,tion--to en-
brace the five Western Counties in its limits
and the officers of the Convention were chosen
its officers pro tenn.
! AT half past three O'Clock, the discussions were
cut short by The announcement that dinner was upon
the table, and MIR. Bowes of the Springfield Repub
| can, extended cordial invitation to all present, to
cultivate their social affections around the festive
board. Soon the whole company were seated at The
bOuntnliy loaded table Of the Amer lean House, Mr..
Holland Of the Republican occupying The head, and
Mr.. Bowles Of the game paper, the foot We have
heard and seen much before OF the hospitality of
Springfield and Of The lannon's cookery Of its hotels,
but upon the present occasion all former demonstra
tions in this way seemed 10 be entirely put 10 the
shade. The entertainment was gotten up entirely
at the expense Of the propretors Of the Republican,
and illustrated beautifully The liberal and spr-
lied manner in which they do every thing they un-
deriale. In addition the members Of the editori
al fraternity, there were present at the dinner, Hon.
Geo. T. Davis Of Greenfield, Pailos B Tyler, May
or Of Springfield, Charles Merriam, Of Dictionary
fame, John II. Thompson, Of The Western EXPRESS
and other distinguished gentlemen, ii all numbering
about Atty persons.
When the substantial vands had received the am
plejusiice which their variety and excellence de-
served, the intellectual feast led of by neat
and appropriate speech from DIR. Holland, concIud
ing with sentiment, complimentary 10 Hon. Mr.
Davis. who represents that district 10 Congress. to
which Mr.. D. responded in eloquent terms. D.h-
er gentlemen were toasted, and other speeches
made, until every one who had thought, had given
il an expression in words, and mrth and good feel
ing abounded. A stranger looking upon the scene,
could hardly have iinag ned that the men before him
had been recently engaged ina bitter strife for
party supremacy, that those there seated SO COIL
" together 10 the enjoyment of fraterna intercourse
sometimes in the habit uf calling each 9TH
er hard names, and aspersing each others mo-
tives and characters /; and the remark, of one Of
the speakers, that alter looking into each 9TH
er's faces, and exchanging congratulations as men
land brothers, should all feel that such things
were always to be taken in Pickwickian sense we
doubt not found cordial response in all hearts.
At half past seven O'clock the convivaliiies were
happily ended, and the President Of The Convention
again took The chair. The unfinished business was
taken from the table, and in order that there might
be ample lime for consultation before final action was
had upon the various matters embraced within the
call, i. voted 10 refer each topic to separate
committee win Instructions 10 report al future
meeting.
The following gentlemen were appointed these
Committees -
LIST, Ga the subject Of advance payments for
newspapers: G. J. j. IngersoIl, Of Greenfield
Republic, d. F. Ashley, Of Springfield Post, Sias
Dinsmore Of Worcester Transcript
I'd, On the prices Of advertising: Stephen w.
Hopkins Of Nor hampton Gazeue, S. 8. Eastman
Of Greenfield Gazette, J. r. Childs Of Chicopse
Journal
3D., The prices OF newspapers: Thomas Drew Of
Worcester Spy, Elijah Porter oil Westfed News.
Letter, II. S. Gere Of Northampton Courier.
4ih, The rates Of job printing: Clark w. Bryan
Of Springfield Republican, II. A Marsh If Berk-
shire County Eagle, G. B. Webb Of Worcester
Esis. M lQ 81 ss3
9Th, The subject Of apprenticeshps: John s. Adj
"A e