The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-07-19
AmATEUR scRIBEs IN COUNCIL.
NATIONAL CONVENTION OF MINIATURE
JOURNALISTS AT LONG BRANCH-PRECo-
CIoUs BOYS AND GIRLs-WHAT THE MI
CRosCoPIc NEWSPAPERS ARE DOING.
From the New York Herald.l

CRosCoPIC NEWSPAPERS ARE DOING.
TFrom the New York Herald1
Among the many public gatherings, po-
liticaI and otherwise, that have been held in
this country, none is more remaT kable or
suggestive in its surroundings and general
makeup than the second annual Conyen-
ton Of the National Amateur Press Asso-
citation, which took place at the Ocean Ho-
tel. Long Branch. Monday. The reader only
has to picture in his minds eye a hundred
and fifty or more Of lads ranging in years
from twelve to eighteen, full OF youthful
enthusiasm, proud OF their. positions as
editors and contributors to miniature news
papers, ambitious Of distinction, keen-eyed,
well-behaved, parliamentary to a painful
degree, divided into as many factions as
one will find in the Legislature at Albany,
severely contentious for their respective
rights, adopts at log-roling and all the fam
tastic arts OF the caucus-one has only to
imagine this, and he will have very correct
idea of the young gentlemen who, for many
months doubtless, have been looking for
ward to the present occasion as an epoch in
their lives.
THE MINIATURE PRESS.
Nor are these little fellows to be laughed
ut, either. One hundred and twenty-five OF
them were in solemn council, representing
a constituency Of from forty to fifty thou
sand readers, so that to certain extent
they have already begun, in their own way,
to be power that should command re-
spect. True, their various newspapers are
small, some OF them not big enough to tie
around a crayon; others are about the size
of an octave page, and few capacious
enough to hold three or four columns a foot
In length. All, however, are modelled after
the 8. children of larger growth" /" and one
OF them is said to have attained such impor-
tance that it has been merged into regular
newspaper for the benefit of the public at
large. The contents Of these little jour
nails are such as might be expected from
lads OF the ages specified, consisting OF
original stories, saucy hits at the brethren
of the profession, personalities, and eNcia-
nation points. The titles selected are also
characteristic, as, for instance, the Budget,
Ihunderbolt, Hornet, Literary ASpirant,
Little Gem, the Critiaue, the Boys Herald,
Centennial, Western Aanateur, Our Free
Lance, the Sphynr, Idle Hours, the Bay
State Stylus, the Duie's Spirit, Neusy and
Noisy, the Echo, Puzzler's Pride, and Key
stone. Some Of these journals have cir
culation OF 1000 copies, and one published
in Batavia claims $500.
The average life of the these mimic jour-
nails, however, is only about year, enthu-
sasm or funds, or both, being by that time
generally exhausted.
THE CONVENTION.
The arrangements for holding this second
annual Convention OF the National ANA
teur Press Association were in charge Of
the New York Association, which is enti-
tied the Empire City Press Assoc ociation, and
were complete in every respect. The large
drawing-room of the Ocean Hotel at Long
Branch was secured, besides other rooms
for caucus and sleeping purposes, and the
boys had as good care as II they were at
home with their mothers. The objects OF
the meeting were twofold-frst, to adopt
permanent constitution, and, secondly, to
elect officers for the ensuing year. Four
tickets were in the field, headed respective
" by Alexander w. DingwalI, Of Wiscon-.
sin; J. Winslow Snyder. Of Richmond,
Va, the present incumbent; Cotterel
Kendall, and Richard Gerner, of Ho-
boken. The struggle for the supremacy
was lively one, and trained politicians
could not have shown more wire-pulling
and fierce energy than did these self-same
amateur editors. The campaign had aDpa-
rently been fought on paper for long time,
and party lines were strictly drawn. Mas
ter Gerner is the author Of plan Of gov
ernment which he called the congressional
scheme, being an adaptation Of the system
Of our General Government, with presi-
deut, secretaries OF the interior and exte-
rior and so forth, Senate and House of Rep
resentatires. Mr.. Dingwall and his sup
porters opposed this plan as one too COM
pleX. Mr.. Snyder tripped lightly between
oil n
sonal popularity.
CALLED TO ORDER.
The boys, after hurrahing themselves
hoarse ut every station on the New Jersey
Southern between Sandy Hook and Long
Branch, rallied promptly on landing at the
place of meeting, and were called to order
by j. Winslow Snyder, the president Of the
National Amateur Press Association, who:
addressed the Convention, and who, by
the way, showed q parliamentary tact, 4
ability, aud experience in the con-
duct Of its affairs far beyond his years. He
congratulated the young gentlemen on their
ability to be present; on the fact that they
would probably form friendships that would
last through life, and on the unity OF pur.
pose which they exhibited in giving to
The National Amateur Press Association q
vitality and ;permanence that would make
It useful agent in the dissemination OF
This was an era Of. work rather
thaa OF words, howeyer, and therefore,
without further introduction, the Conven-
ton would proceed at once to business.
The credentials Of lO1 members were pre-
,ented, and sixty-fosir new members were
elected. I. s555.
is 1sp2 2nyaTA To ~