The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-08-26
From the AUdnt Courier.

l. L.
Were it not the fact that we are personally
so inexperienced in the modus operGndi of
such an organization, and the further con-
sheraton of our probable inability to attend
this session, we should without hesitancy
give our unqualified approval of the propo-
sifion. But while, under the circumstances,
we may feel excused from urging upon 9TH
ers an important work in which we cannot
probably participate this year, we neverthe-
less feel free to say that in our opinion a
Press or Editorial Association in Montana
In not only desirable but calculated, IL prop
erly managed. to accomplish q vast amount
of good to both the editorial and publishing
interests of the Territory.
It Is notable fact that most, III not all, of
Montana editors, from stern necessity, are
too closely confined to their own local atmos-
phere for their own best interests or those of
their respective journals. Towns are too
remote from each other and it Is too expens-
i've travelling from place to place, so that few
of them get sufficient opportunities to mix
and exchange views with the outside world.
The fraternity fails TO fraterniZe, and the
con ,equence Ii tine editor IL, conforming un-
consciously 10 the local exclusiveness and
prejudices of his surroundings, becomes SO
contracted In his views and expressions as to
largely mar his usefulness beyond the limits
of his own town or county. IL Is, perhaps,
rot too much to hope that properly organ
lied and well conducted Editorial Associa-
ton would largely remedy this objectionable
| feature in Montana journalism.
But aside from the social and, perhaps,
moral benefits to be derived from such an or
ganization, there are important business con-
sideratious almost vital to the interests of
publishers In which all are more or less d.
rectly interested, but which cannot be inau-
gnrated or successfully carried out without
some organization or unanimity of effort
From the Independent.
The NoRTH-WEsT in its last issue makes
some sensible suggestions on the subjet of
editorial association. There are some four
teen or fifteen newspapers iu the Territory,
including five dailies. The system of credit
subscription now in vogue, after deducting
losses, percentage of collecting agents, etc,
will hardly leave more than 50 net on q So
paper. The NORTHWEST also estimates that
e-half the JOB work of the Territory i
done in the East, and that at least one-half
reasonable rates for foreign advertising goes
into the pockets Of advertising agents. IL
thinks that IN association of the press might
partially remedy these evils, ami perhaps by
united patronage secure paper aud material
at better rates than at present. unquestion-
ably there IL much force In these suggestions.
In regard TO giving job work to foreign
offices, we have often remarked upon the
duty of the citizens of the Territory to sup
port their home papers. Each individual
might, with the same .propriety, buy all his
-four, dry goods, groceries, ETC., In the East As
for the merchant to send East for his job
work. No merchant who does this deserves
better treatment from his neighbors than he
accords to his home newspapers that are de-
voted to building up the section in which he
lives. Undoubtedly q press association would
be highly advantageous If 1t could repress
this tendency to give foreign newspapers the
job work that belongs of right to the home
press. Sooner or later, toe, the papers of the
Territory must come to cash basis, reduc-
s.x~x nx.I
their patrons for cash the benefits now re-
ceived by the collecting agents. All these
and other questions equally as important
might be profitably discussed by press asso-
citation, and we trust that members of the
during the Territorial Fair to perfect some
organization III 1t be decided expedient to
do so. E%# 81 49,. II