Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-05
LITTLE ROCK LETTER.

year, which resulted as follows: Mr..
Adam Clark, Of the Arkadelphia
Standard, president; Mr.. NJ. NJ. Nc
Guire, of the DardaneIle, Arkansian,
vice president; Mr.. w. A. Web
Der, of the Saline county Di-
sest, secretary; James L. Batten6eld,
Ofthe Russellville Democrat, treasurer;
Colonel Pat Donan, of the Advance
orator, and james Torrans, of Little
Rock, poet. These are excellent Sc
lections, as far as an outsider can
judge. OF Mr.. Torrans, it is said by
a city paper, that he has proved
himself genuine poet, and that his
work has been highly appreciated.
MIR. CLARK, the new president, is an
exceedingly pleasant and intelligent
gentleman, and will doubtless FIJI the
position with credit. AS to Colonel
DOnan's ability to ente:tain and in
struct an audience, there can be but
one opinion among those who have
ever heard him speak. Mr.. Webber
has already proved himself a very
efficient secretary. If Mr.. Batten-
field can give the heavy bond usually
required he will no doubt be able to
take care of and account for the large
amount of funds that will come into
his hands,
A long discussion took place in
regard to a set of resolutions pledging
the members to stand together on
fixed rates, and to support no men, Of
whatever party, for Office, who have
shown themselves unfriendly to legiti-
mate newspaper interests. While it
was evident that most of the members
indorsed the spirit of the resolutions
it was not thought wise or expedient
to take the action proposed. The
resolutions were not passed, yet
attention was called to a sub
ject which is important to the
press and to the people. The last
legislature, in fit of short-sighted
economy repealed the law under which
the delinquent taxlist was published.
In a State like Arkansas, where a tax
title can be made good and forfeitures
may easily and often occur, this is
calculated to work a great hardship
upon many of the people who may
lose their property before they know
it. The intention seems to have been
to deliver blow at the press
which will be returned with in
terest when some of these eco
nONic statesmen show their heads
again. The newspaper men expose
more humbuggery, and yet are hum.
bugged by slippery politicians more
than any class or agency in the world
But l am glad 10 observe a healthy
awakening on this subject on both
sides Of the river, 1t is coming TO be
understood that publishing a newspa.
per is business like any other, gov
SSned by the laws Of supply and de.
mand, and that it is not carried on fol
fun, cheap glory or free tickets to the
circus. Another fact has been driver
home like a wedge in the public
unind it is not every graduate
of a college, or business or profession
al man who has failed in his own line
that can step into newspaper Office
even if able to buy it out and run i
twelve months, without becoming al
anxious to sell out as he was at first t.
try his hand. Colonel John d. Adams
once bought the Gazette as an invest
ment. He is one of the best business
msn in the State, and had plenty q
money to run the paper. In less that
year he sold out and frankly con
iessed fiat he had had enough o
newspaper experience to do him tn,
rest of his life. "Once an edito
always an editor is an old saying, bu
that applies to those Of us who ar
veterans in the cause, and. | am son.
to say, not often fit for anything else
or at least not willing to make al
effort in another line. a4Hh pos
In the afternoon at 3 o'clock larg
audience assembled in the hall to hea
an address from the famous Colone
Pat Donan, a man of vast experienc,
in journalism and among the leading
politicians and prominent men of tn
times. lie possesses a remarKabl
intellectually and is of proposes
ing appearance, being over six fee
high and of graceful, stately carriage
Ais eyes are a mild blue, his complex
iol, very clear, his beard a light brow
and his voice soft, full and winsomC
To look at him one would never thin
that he could have written tn
fierce thunderbolts that in time
plst he hurled at Radicalism throug
the Metropolitan Record, the Cauca'
sian, and other papers. He has tone
down of late years, and is exceedingl
conservative. In financial matterS h
is honest, and poor, of course. Ia b
L.l.A. l. VI. ., ,,,a,.a H.. ..,,ow ,ot,opa hl