San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-07-05
Needs of the Texas Press Association.

much of pleasure and not enough OF pusi
ness. The following are among the sub)ecu
the Citizen thinks worthy OF the attention
of that body:
.rhc establishing of system whereof,
frauds of advertisers might be more readily
known among the fraternity; the perfection
of n plan whereby telegraphic dispatched
,oioht be received by the weekly press Of
the United States; the establishment OF
State paper mill; and some other minor mat
tcrs.'
Tho above suggestions are quite pertinent.
II is III ieniable that there is On indisposi-
lion TO do much needed work at the meet.
inrs of our Association. This was particu,
larly made manifest at the last meeting.
There ID too much of disposition, we must
say to play the part of sight-seers or bum
ming Bohemians" on these occasions. There
needs to be radical reform in this respect.
To secure this, the meetings should here
after be called at such time as there is no
other special excitement in progress at the
place of meeting. The Sangerfest at Dallas
was quite inimical to the proper business of
the Press Association. Then it would be
desirable to abolish or make much less con-
spicuous the beer guzzling and banqueting
features ON these occasions To make gor-
mandizing and drinking the prominent style
of these gatherings is undignifed and dis
graceful to moral and intelligent body Of
gentlemen, such as the editors of Texas are
presumed to be. A change of programme
of this sort would operate most benefcialy
on some of the ''weaker brethren" We but
speak what was notorious, that there were
members present at the last meeting who
during the same, and throughout the e1cur-
sion, showed conspicuously and Extensively
that they were under the influence Of liquor.
The result was sundry awkward "investiga-
tons" ordered by the majority of the mis-
behavior of the said weaker brethren. The
investigations were of course very unpleas-
ant, and really amounted to nothing, the Of
lenses being finally "condoned."
In order to assure the reform We have in
dictated and others of kindred nature, the
presence of the ladies should be sought at
tho meetings of the Association, and especi-
ally on its excursions. We do not mean
that the wives and other lady relatives and
friends of members should necessarily be
admitted to membership, but their presence
should be sought and secured. Aresolution
was adopted at the last meeting cordially in
viting the ladies'; what we propose is to
make that resolution effective by showing
by our conduct that their presence is really
desired. This would cause, as nothing else
can, good order and good behavior at the
meetings of the Association, and especially
on the anntial excursions. And we hold
that there can be no reasons, except such as
are discreditable to members. for excluding
ladies from these excursions. Their har-
monizing and refining influence is certainly
needed on such occasions. Not that editors
are worse than the rest of men. Take a
hundred or more average men anywhere on
such an excursion, and exclude all ladies,
and the "old Adam" of the orthodox, or the
old gorilla of the Darwin theory, will crop
out in semi-barbsrous style. Now why
should gentlemen who wish to remain consist
emily such, desire to exclude ladies from these
excursions? 1t is not done by most editori-
al associations; that of Texas we believe is
peculiar in this respect. Why is It dO1aes
Can it be because members wish to escape
the restraint which the presence of refined
ladies would necessarily have upon their
conduct? We trust not, for certainly no
man has any business to be socially where
he would feel the presence of such ladies as
a restraint.
Again, this exclusion is most ungallant,
unkind and unjust. 1t is common to hear
the remark that Texas is not q healthy
country for women" If so, there can be
but one reason, and thct is their seclusion In
their homes and over their domestic affairs
from the open air exercises and recreations
in which men freely indulge. This should
be the strongest kind of reason with gen.
erous men for giving the ladies a share Of
these blessings as occasion may serve.
Yet again, we sften hear women stigma
tized as ignorant and nsrrov-minded
How can they be otherwise, where excluded
from the broader and more elevAting views
which travel and contact with social Life
affords?
In short, re hold there Is everything In
favor q the admission Of ladies to the meet
ings and excursions Of the Texas Press As
socistio1, and 70 good reasons for their e1-
5,rs.5a. IT. c1--r-.oa 3, Monterey vzs
7-- 60 re Id 1T tzszs-t -szrl g q,