The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-02-20
MONTANA PRESS ASSOCIATION

newspapers OF Montana. They not only met
but the meeting surpassed the most sanguint
expectations Of those who have long looked
upon such an Association with favor. The
representation was larger than expected
the business propositions brought before the
Association for mutual benefit were more
numerous and more fraternally concurred
in; there was greater good feeling NANTES
ted than had been anticipated, and there was,
TO the establishment Of oil, almost perfect
unanimity Of opinion, after full discussion
and consideration in committee and Conven
ton, as to what the Printing Law Of Mon
tana should be In justice TO publishers sni
the public. This, 1t had been predicted snd
apprehended, would be the question on which
uRanimity of opinion could not be reached
yet after full elaboration there was so man
ifest disposition to waive personal consid
Grafton and recommended only that which
was for the general good, that the only ma
terial point of difference was as to recon
mendstion being misconstrued on an issue
wholly beyond the reach of the Association
And then, even that recommendation wa.
unanimously stricken out on motion made
and seconded BY the two persons chiefly and
diversely in interest.
These recommendations, so far as they re-
lated to public printing, were In the direction
Of lower rates, placing the county printing
contracts in the hands of the County Com
missioners instead Of the Territorial Board
aud leaving them free to invite competitive
bids and award the work to one or more
publishers. The rates for job work were
also recommended TO be scaled down, and
restrictions as to legal advertising relaxed.
We do not know that the measures will meet
with legislative favor, but the rates are lower
than have been heretofore provided, and we
consider them fair and re asonable compensa-
ton.
The Convention also took into considera-
ton certain statements reported to 1t as hsv-
ing been uttered In the Legislative House by
certain members thereof derogatory gener.
ally to the publishers of Montana, and In
dignified, moderate, but earnest terms, ex.
pressed Its opinion thereof Perhaps all was
said that was necessary 10 be said, but 1t is
nevertheless true that remarkable forbesr-
snce was exercised by the newspaper men
Of Montana, and 1t is not probable such un-
just and inconsiderate remarks will again be
made in the Legislative Halls. The occa.
sion appears to have been during the discus
sion of = bill requiring County Commits
sioners' proceedings TO be published quar-
terly, on Q motion TO fix the rates of pay
therefor. This was taken As the opportunity
to denounce publishers because it appears, in
some instances, enormous bills have been
brought before and paid by County Commits
sioners for publication Of such Reports and
of the delinquent tax lists; also for blanks
and other stationery furnished the county in
extravagant quantities and aggregating large
sums. Now, this could only have been done
by order and audit Of the County Commits.
sioners and other officers, and If there was
any wrong done, these officers must have
been more to blame than the Publisher.
We question II there Is business or profess
sional man in Montana that will not cheer
fully accept the order Of the Commissioners
Of any county In which he resides for goods
or services, and the assumption that pub
Usher is the only man In the county who
has, or should have, the moral virtues so
largely predominant, that instead of doing
the work he will refuse the county officers
the use Of his advertising columns, is q de-
served compliment to the we'll known char.
acter OF the craft.
The fact Is that the press Of Montana Is
by editors and publishers who
not only compare favorsbly In intelligence,
Integrity and ability with those of any other
or State, but with any other pro-
or business men In the Territory.
They probably have not been more eager or
rivals than the members of any
other profession or business but, by the
very nature Of their business, that rivalry
and mutual disparagement, instead Of being
covert and clandestine, has been publicly
printed and scattered broadcast. Even the
rivalries and snimosities of one community
or faction, or any interest against another,
has generally resulted in opposing editors
being singled out IS the targets against whom
abuse Is concentrated, while those who in
spire or encourage the controversy keep in
The background or furnish ammunition in
The way Of anonymous letters or unaccred>
tied editorials. Newspaper men too fire.
quently have been made tools of in this
latter respect, and have been unwise In the
former respect, until It Is not surprising,
after what we have said or allowed to be
said, Of other newspaper men In our papers,
hat whom the incident Of legislative Office
gives license and opportunity to berate some
body, inconsiderate men may say thing, of
Us that are not worse than We have said
of each other and which are yet unjust and
provoke TO resentment. Let US profit by this
We consider It fortunate It
was co-incident with the organization Of the
Press Association, whore many old.time
Alterations were terminated, where old
were renewed and strengthened,
lnd where new ones were made that we
ioubt not will continue and increase through
life. The press Of Montana, Of all Terrific
ries or States We know Of, Is and has ever
been, not only considerate, but extremely
and charitable toward oil Others
han Its own members. Let us carry that
,pirit into our own relations and controver-
lies. We have joined hands In an assscia-
ION for fraternal purposes and manifested
he spirit - surely - We have spoken the
word. 1--we have not conscience, and heart,
md pride In our calling, then We are unwor-
by representatives Of the greatest power on
,arth, and one that calls for the most faith
'ul devotion. II we are, our duty is zach
md oil to dedicate our best services to the
light - We see II, to be fair, just unto all
men and in oil things, and BY respecting the
lights, opinions and feelings Of each other,
wen when We differ, to command that re-
poet from others. In this We need yield no
light nsr liberty, nor any duty to the public,
,ut we viii elevate the tone Of our papers,
Increase their usefulnsss and forefend such
which, - body, self-respect
demanded tho newspaper men Of this Terri
DRY should take cognizance OF.
The writer appreciates NEST highly the
position 10 which his associates
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