National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-07-17
THE AMATEUR EDITORS.
A Lively Session Of the National
Association.
Hot Campaign for the Presidential Chair
Mr.. j. e. Briggs Finally Elected
Charges of Corruption and Bribery
Made Against the Opposition
The Boys Taking Lessons
from Their Seniors.
The Rising Generation of Journalists.

The fourth annual convention of the Ma
tional Amateur Press Association was held yes
terday in the dining-room of the National
Hotel In the absence of President Hall Mr..
Dolavan w. Gee, recording secretary of the
association, called the meeting to order. After
few preliminary remarks tho names Of Mr..
George w. Balloon, of Brooklyn. N Y, and
Mr.. J. Edison Briggs, of this city, were pro-
posed for the Craftsmanship pro tempore. Mr..
Balloon was appointed, but question as to his
being member of tho association boing made
and decided adversely, Mr.. James f. DuHamel
was proposed and accepted
The regular routine work was begun by the
calling of the roll. Eleven members ont of
about two hundred were found to DO present.
\ recess Of fifteen minutes was taken to allow
the committee on credentials to report.
Twenty-Five or thirty names had been proposed
for membership, and of these eleven were re-
jected. This caused great excitement among
certain parties of the association, which was
partly queled by the successful motion to de.
eide upon their eligibility by tho convention as
scmbled. Seven of tho rejected names were
thereafter accepted.
The collection of dues was then taken and
the exhausted treasury replenished by the adj
ditiOn Of nearly so.
At l:J5 the meeting djourncd for ono hour
llt VI StllolN llb VI INV
inner man. The wants of nature having been
satisfactorily attended to,tho meeting WAS once
again called to order
The reports of the treasurer, two secretaries,
and official editor were then read and accepted.
Each OF the several officials presented bills
against the association for expenses incurred,
some of them amounting to $50. MIR. c. Glenn
cnt Chase, editor of the official organ, kindly
presented to the association roccipted bill
of So.
Communications of regret from visiting
amateurs were read to the assembly, which
lent pleasant variation to the otherwise not
overintercsting proceedings. The counting of
the State ballots for the election of officers for
the ensuing year was then begun. As il was
found that u great amount of time would be
consumed in this performance, and that many
of the proxy votes were Illegal, aud further,
that II hot and undesirable discussion would
be the result, it was moved and carried that
the election be decided by the members pres
ent.
Immediately there began an amount of wire
pulling by the supporters of Mr.. J. Austin
| Fynes, the Boston presidential candidate, and
also . system of bribery and fraud, such rs
would have made even the Houses of Congress
blush. Mr.. Fynes boosted that his election
was beyond question, and that 5000 were al
his disposal for its accomplishment Tclers
being appointed to receive the ballots, the
| DallOllnS WAS DeguD. lnree canuliatrS were
in the field, Mr.. J. Austin Fynes, of Boston
J. Edison Briggs, Of this city, and Arthur j
Huss, of Ohio. The latter gentleman was moi
present. Without entering iuto further de
tails, the balloting resulted in tho election OF
Mr.. j. Edison Briggs, which announcement
caused loud cheering.
Subsequently motion to adjourn till half.
past eight p. m. prevailed. Supper was the
cause thereof. On reassemblng the successful
candidate occupied tho chair, and the election
of the remaining officers WAS proceeded with
resulting as follows: First vice.presdent, viii
l.. Wright, of Cairo, H.; second president
Arthur ID. Perry, of Norfolk, Va; third vice
president, Herbert o. Clarke, Rodney. Miss
recording secretary, q. Fred. Eberle, Philadel
phia, Pa, and corresponding secretary, +. N
Reeve Newark, n. j.
The meeting then adjourned till ton o'clocl
to-day, when the election OF the treasurer AM
official editor will take place and genera
business be transacted.
The supporters of Briggs in the presidential
contest are highly indignant Mt the action o
the opposition, which they claim is composed
almost entirely Of persons not entitled to mem
bership The accusations of attempted briber,
are made openly, and lively time is antici
patcd during to.day's session.