Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-08-06
About Pre-, A.,ociation.,

On the week following this years annual
excursion of the Vermont press association,
Mr.. Atkins of the Argus, who did not attend
the excursion, INDUCED himself in an attack
on several members of the party-the editors
of the Burlington Free Press, Rutland Herald
and st. Johnsbury Caledonian being especial.
ly singled out-on the alleged ground that,
while the prime political object" of these
gentlemen has been to willy abuse and mis-.
represent e1-Gov. j. Gregory Smith" they
took an unfair and discreditable advantage of
his generosity and courtesy in giving the as
ISOLATION free transportation by taking along
with them large company Of relatives and
friends never meant to be included in the in.
vtation. Such a publication was in effect an
attack on the honor and good name of the as
ISOLATION, and Mr.. Benedict OF the Free Press,
its president, at once addressed a very pointed
letter to Gov. Smith, asking him whether it
any wise represented his views, and remind
ing him that the article seemed all the more
like an insult because it came from paper
(Which, whether correctly or incorrectly, is
supposed by many persons to reflect the feel
ing of the railroad management" Ex Gov
Smith replied in a letter which disclaims re.
sponsitility for this or any other publication
in the Argue, and says that the courtesies Of
his railroad we're extended to the editors as.
ISOLATION freely, and with no purpose to con-
tract their views or expression in any way
The Argus returns to the charge this week
and assumes to interpret eI-Gov. Smiths let
ter for him as really meant to say that his
good will and generosity have been abused.
Mr.. Atkins evidently does not mean to give
up his supposed place as confidential man and
mouth piece for the Central Vermont manage
ment, but as between him and Mr.. Benedict
and Col. Clarke of the Rutland Herald, Mr..
Atkins seems to us to have the worst OF it 80
far.
We do not, however, allude to the matter 80
much to settle this point as because the intro
duction of the subject leads us to say on what
basis an editors association ought to be es.
tablished, and the only one, in fact, on which
it has any right to exist. The primary object
of such an association is to bring the mem.
bers of the profession or craft together and
promote their mutual acquaintance, to give
an opportunity to discuss business methods
and afford an interchange of ideas, and sc
provide let-up from the routine and drudg,
cry of every day life. Such an object il
worth working for and taking advantage Of
by every legitimate means. Whenever and
wherever it is attained We shall find renewed
life, refreshed ideas and better newspaper worl
work which is stronger, more independent
and which shows more individuality. To
hear so thoroughly good and strong an Ad
dress as Mr. Stone Of the Californian gave
before the association this year, and feel the
magnetism of personal contact with one,
fellow members Of the newspaper craft, il
worth sll il costs in both time and money.
The danger always is that the annual meet
ing Of such an association will degenerate in
70 an annual junketing, for the reason tina
certain courtesies are ordinarily extended Il
its members by railroads and hotels, and tina
10 the party will become attached crowd o.