The Indianapolis journal., 1890-07-26
DANA'S NAME Is DENNIS.
The Amateur Journalists Severely Criticise His
Treatment Of Them-DunlOp for President.

The election of officers of the amateur
journalists began yesterday morning. The
throwing out of twenty-five proxies occa-
stoned heated discussion, but it was
finally decided that the votes were not
legal. The count elected William Dunlop
over w. +. Mellinger by 80 to Is. 1t had
been supposed that the result would be
much mora even, but the fear of q
break for the dark horse candidate
is said to have had an influence.
Frank 4. Schermerhorn. of Philadelphia.
and ID. L. HoIlub. or San Francisco, asplred
to be vice-president. The former was
elected by vote of 90 to s. p. A. Burke, of
Sam j. Steinberg, of this city. was elected
recording secretary, but Immediately re-
signed, and Oscar A. Miller, of Milwaukee.
was elected in his stead. f. HI. Hardcastle.
of Wilmington, n. j., was elected corre-
spending secretary and treasurer. Miss
Harriet G. Cox was elected official editor:
resolution Indorsing prohibition and
high license, was voted down after warm
fight. The contest between Boston and
Philadelphia for the honor Of the next con-
vention was won by the latter city.
The convention held its first night ses-
sion last night. The decision of the judges
awarding the laureate honors gave Miss
Fannie Kemble johnson, of LOckbridge.
Va, the sketch laureate: Miss Capitola
reafe and a A. T%5bs Of New YoTk the
poet laureate. The last decision produced
an unusual experience. Charles A. Dana.
of the New York Sun, was the regular
Judge. and the poems were submitted to
him.. The following communication was
received:
NEW YORK, July 1, 1890.
Dear Sir-I have thoroughly examined the
eight poems submitted in competition for the
title of poet laureate, and 1t is my duty to say
that there is not one of them which merits such
an honor. They are all commonplace in thought
and mediocre in treatment. | do not find an
original idea in them all: and the one quality,
which appears pretty evenly, is facility in phrase
making and lne-making Yours respectfully,
C. A. DANA.
Another judge was appointed and the
decision made as given above. President
Dunlop was seen afterward by Journal
reporter, and made the following statement:
"Mr. Dana was unnecessarily severe. He
was not called upon to pass upon absolu te
merit, but relative merit. He has taken
occasion to exhibit his we'll known as
perity. of temperament. His letter must
have been written Immediately after one
of his editorials on ex-President Cleve-
land"
The convention considered certain
amendments to the constitution last
night, and precipitated a storm. The
proxy system of voting required
weeks before the convention. and
strict ruling had thrown out a large num-
ber of proxy votes. An effort was made to
reduce the time to three days. A deluge
of amendments. calls to order. appeals, ETC.,
speedily developed, and President Dunlop
was soon frustrated. He pounded the table
with vim, but a certain indecision had
been manifested and the noisy crowd
would not yield the advantage they
had. He was finally knocked out
of the box, and the vIce-president was
called to the chair. He knew scarcely more
of parliamentary rules, but, nevertheless,
The session held till a late hour but moth
ing more of public interest was transacted.
The convention will conclude to-day. and
the Western Amateur Press Association
will hold a meeting. The members were
photographed on the east State-hOuse steps
yesterday in q group.