Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-05-03
STATE PRESS coNyKnrIoN.

The state freoS convention meets
Lebanon on the 9Th inst. and from pres
ent indications will be largely ATTENDED
by editors aud proprietors Of the daily
and weekly papers. Thus far thss'
meetings in our State have not been Sc
fully attended as the important objects
in view would have suggested, nor can
we point to tangible results Of eonse-
quenee. But the members Of the Asso-
citation and others have been led to see
that their union and annual gatherings
may be made mutually beneficial in a
business way as well as socially rare
pleasure. The address Of General Jones
delivered at the last regular meeting
was published in whole or in part by
nearly every paper in the State, and as
il contained so much valuable informa-
ton, sound sense and business wisdom
it must have given the public, as well as
the members Of the profession Of jour
nalism, an increased degree Of respect
for its dignity, power and capacity for
usefulness. By concert OF action and
determined effort the business Of editing
and publishing newspapers can be made
more profitable and be utilized to higher
ends of material and moral success.
The abuses which creep into the press
from within and from without can be
corrected, and its true and high mission
executed without fear, favor or afec-
ton. We trust that some steps will be
taken to draw broad line of distinc
ton between the quasi or ornamental
members of the press and trained jour
nalists, who conscientously do their du-
ty, without the hope of subsidy or gratu-
ity, from any source. Such distinc-
ton is often as essential as between a
lawyer and a sbyster, for the public
often make a sad discrimination, be-
cause thrown so little in personal con-
tact with journalists, and having but
limited opportunities for forming judg-
ment Another important result can
be accomplished in due time il the press
of the State will make the issue,
and this we have urged with some
zeal heretofore; and that is, TO secure
the repeal Of the present unjust law, only
allowing one-half or one-third prices for
legal notices. The limit should be re-
moved absolutely, and the papers al |
lowed to charge regular rates for oil pub
lie work. There is no justice or reason {
in requiring printer to work for nearly q
nothing. The wrong has been perpetu- s
ated for nearly two generations, simply i
because the papers have submitted to it, C
II every paper in the State will exact q Il
pledge from the next candidates for the p
legislature to vote for a repeal OF the o
PRESENT law, leaving the common rates
# business to regulate the question Al
ereafter, it will be done. The papers 9,
make and unmake legislators, and often
ut Of very light material, and while
hey should discard the cheap favors !,
endered often like pittance :,
f charity, to secure the support of =,
len, measures and corporations, they II
hould assert and demand their right to
al pay for full work. Let that be the
lotto of the Tennessee press at the q,
ext election, and in less than two years .;
he benefits of such policy will begin Gu
, be realized. The LEDGER hopes to as
ave a representative at Lebanon in n! ~
III harmony with the main objects of il,
he convention but these suggestions 10
re thrown out in advance for the con- 81!
Iteration Of our editorial brethren. p