The weekly clarion., 1874-03-19

JACKSON, March ~, 1874.
T. A called meeting of the Mississippi Press
Association was held to-day, at ii A. NJ at
the Hall of jackson Fire Company NO. l.
President A. }. Frantz In the Chair.
The Secretary being absent, hfnloch Fall
! coner. Of the Benton County Argus, was ap-
pointed Secretary pro TEN.
The President explained the object Of the
meeting in the following address:
Brethren Of the Mississippi Press AssoeiG-
ton:
As President Of your Association, and
having at heart the welfare and prosperity
OF the Press generally. | have deemed it my
/ ticuiar UiDe, thai we may take counsel CO.
/ gether, and prevent, if possible, the ommfs-
sion OF outrages upon our rights. which.
] have reason TO believe, will be attempted
/ III our Legislature, urged on by the kepub-
lican editors vino signed the call for a meet
Ing Ia this city ON yesterday, and for whose
beueht legislation is Invoked. A Dill has
been introduced, and these Republican edi-
tors advocate its adoption, giving the Gov
ernor, or a partizan Judge, The right TO des-
ignate paper in each Judicial District, in
nich all legal advertisements shall be pub
lished, thus compelling the private citizens,
in many instances, to support and build up
men and papers that they regard as destrue-
tive of the best interests of the State. This
would not only be unjust and oppressive to
the citizens, but it would forcibly take from
many OF us the man support of our pa
pers.
It is true that the call of the Republican
editors for meeting states that it is intend
ed to organize Union News Association
irrespective OF party predictions" but |
believe that lt was intended as a blind to en-
trap such editors as had never attended a
meeting of our Association, and to give an
excuse for a few gentlemen TO go over to
them, who have been promised a share Of the
spoils for doing so. Those who signed the
catl knew that ours is not political associ-
alton. They knew that no newspaper man
was excluded from it on account of his Du-
litIcal opinions. They knew that even the
discussion of political subjects was not per-
mitted in our meetings. They knew that
we bad invited them TO meet with us and
participate in our deliberations. They knew
chat leading Republican editors had met
with us, and they also knew that these Re
publican editors afterwards Withdrew and
organized Republican Press Associations
from which all Democratic, Conservative,
and neutral editors were excluded.
That association was organized about the
time that a similar bill TO the one now before
the Legislature was under discussion Bv
their combined influence they secured the |
passage of that infamous BILL and Radical |
papers were projected in every part of the |
State, but the Governor had the manlness
and independence to veto the bill and
that veto killed the Republican Association.
as well as the numerous papers started by |
members of the Legislature for the purpose |
OF rohbing the people. They are playing |
the same desperate game now, but call it a |
Union News Association" thinking there
by to induce few Conservatives to join |
them, and thus make their movement pDear |
more respectable. They knew that the |
Wem bers of our Association could not and |
would not leave iE to join theirs and we were |
only invited to make q show of liberality an |
their part. They neither expected or wan
ted us to meet with them. Had they wished |
TO join non political Press Association. |
they could have joined ours, az our
doors have been open ever since .Jniy 9th
1866.
sincerely hope the Association has not
captured or crippled any of our little army |
of patriots, except such as have struggled off |
in search of fSpOilS, and that this meeting 4
may be instrumental in preventing the aa- |
complishment OF their Obiect-the ptssage !
Of the unjust tyrannical and odious district |
printing bin, now before the Legisla- |
ture.
We ask for no legislation to deprive Re-
publican publishers OF any patronage the |
people wish to bestoW upon them, and we |
should not tameiy submit to apy law depriv-d
ing US ofsuch patronage as our friends may
open and manly compettion-that every
man, without regard TO race, color or polft- |
ical affiliations, shall have the right to pat +
ronize the paper of his choice.
In conclusion, brethren, i suggest the ap- t
pointment ofa committee of i've to draw up |
a protest against the distr let printing bill, |
to be submitted to the meeting for adoption,
and then 10 have it printed ami laid before
the members of the Legislature.
On motion oil, L. Powers, Lee Grandeil,
New York Gfaphic). c. e. Merrill, (Loufs-
vile Courier), and NJ. b. HiIlgard, lot Nc
Combs City] were invited, to seats in the
Association. ~ <F5fs
The Secretary read letter from P. K
Mayors, of the Handsboro. Democrat, ex-
pressing regret at his inability to attend,
and his s. pathy with the objects OF the
meeting. Letters were also read from the
editors and publishers of the Holly Springs
Reporter and Independent South, regret
ting their inability to attend, and appoint
ing proXys to represent them.
The Secretary read a letter from j. +.
O'Sullivan, President of the Hibernian Mu-
tual Aid Association, inviting the Press As
sociati0n to participate in the festivities of
the Association at Angeles Hall, 1T ] P. M,
on the occasion of the celebration of st.
Patrick's Day. The thanks of the Associa-
ton were returned to the Hibernian Asso-
ciation, and the invitation accepted.
On motion Of G.. w. Harper, a committee
Of five was appointed to draft resolutions
for the action of the Association.
G. w. Harper j. l.. Powers, Kinloch
Il. G.. Wall and r. Walpele, were
appointed said committee.
The Association adjourned to P. NJ.