The Globe-republican., 1891-07-01
KANSAS EDITORS.

Senator P1unb Gives His Expefssnoe and
| Some Advice to Kansas Editors 1t Clay
| Centsr-rribute to the Cea.tsy Press.
| CLAY CENTER. Kan, June 27.-The
feature Of supreme interest in connec-
ton with the meeting of the editors of
northwestern Kansas at Clay Center
was the address of Senator Plumb He
did not arrive until 8 o'clock
having been delayed by . washout
between Kansas City and Lawrence.
The train on which he came also
brought Maj. ]. Z. Hudson. Col d. r
Anthony, George w. Martin, ex-Lieut-
Gov. Riddle and other noted KansanA
Upon being introduced to the associa-
ton Senator Plumb received . hearty
| and enthusiastic welcome. He spoke
substantially as follows:
1 feel that I am q sort of . false note on
| this occasion. have very little idea of what
the modern newspaper association Ia Ny
knowledge of Journalism goes back to the
earlier days and to the old matters of con.
Germ which used to engage editorial meet
ings thirty years ago. but knew that in
coming here would ind Kansas crowd.
which Is always q model crowd. well
dressed, well behaved, good natured, kind
and appreciative. come rather desiring to
refresh my memory of the profession bv
hearing others speak. and have really no
copy on the hook. ind in my own expert
ence, rs the future narrows and grows less,
that the past broaiens and brightrns. and
dwell with increasing pleasure upon the
memories which this occasion renders SO
vivid. am to- night simply retired mem.
Der of profession which have always
loved and to VIII. CHI it has always been my
hope to some day return.
II is now forty two years since left the
home roof to answer an advertisement for .
boy of II. which appeared in q religious pa.
per taken in my fathers family. With 81 in
my pocket started out to walk the IS miles
which then seemed to me such great Jour-
ney. An apprenticeship which embraced
two nights out of every week working an
Old-fashioned single roller finally fitted me
for taking charge of an ONCE and thcn for
the amaz ng Venture of buying a press of
my own. That was at time when the old
parties were breaking up and the struggle in
Kansas was making its impress on public
affairs. My interest In the contest brought
me to this state. and the ambition Of tecom.
ing part and parcel of the struggle caused
me to establish the Emporia News. I can
say with qualification that as the editor Of
that paper / at least earned the reputation
of being q radical in politics. look back
upon all that experience as having been of
great value to me, and am fully persuaded
that one OF the elements Of true education Is
service at the case.
With the advert of tho daily paper in Kan.
sas. there was much doubt as to the future
usefulness of the weekly. But am satis-
Ned, and think that experience has proved
that the great agency in moldinx and en-.
tightening public sentiment IL the country
weekly. 1t goes into the homes Of the farm
ers and reaches q vast audience which the
n M Anv MI nol 20
good many Jokes about tho poverty OF the
rural editor, but all the Same the country
newspapers continue not only to multiply
in numbers but to grow in excellence and
improve in quality. Those In Kansas are
better than are found in any other state. II
could not be otherwise. 1t is the logic OF
the situation. Kansas ought to have tho
best papers. 1t has the most inspiring and
interesting history and the brightest peo-
pie, and tho standard of Intelligence among
the reading public determines largely the
style OF the papers
This leads me to a few thoughts and su8.
gestions as to the nd of paper which is
calculated to exert the largest influence for
good. No paper can print all the news. No
person has time 70 read all the news To
select from the great mass Of current intel.i-
Rence that which is best and most instruct.
i've Is the mission OF the true Newspaper
man. To eliminate those thin 3 which illus
trate the worst side o: human nature and
which ought not to be introduced into the
family. AMI to give prominence to things
which the people will be better for know.
ing. is the duty of the true journalist.
As the population OF the country thick
ems and the relations between the people
become more Intimate, new questions are
coming up which cOncern in a vital man.
ner the moral and material welfare of the
people. The social conditions are
country and problems are crowding for
warl for solution which demand earnest
study and thoughtful consideration. To dis.
cuss these quest ons and to open up the way
for their adjustment on . basis which will
conserve the highest interests of society Is
the duty and the privilege of the press. Into
this great domain of effort the newspaper
man must go, and not without q sense of his
great responsibility. We are apt to think
that the weight Of influence In fasilioning of
public sentiment IL in the great centers of
population. but it Is among the people of the
inland and upland, where the blood Is purer
where the air Is more invigorating where
action is freer, where the great problems arc
to be worked out for tho emancipation of
society.
Noble l. Prentis spoke in an interest
ing and felicitous manner of the mission
and history of the press in Kansas
with which he became identified many
years ago. In introducing him. Presi-
dent Valentine Of the association OBJ
served that Mr.. Prentis had said more
pleasant things about Kansas in a
pleasant way than any man in the
state, and there is no doubt that he has
a rightful claim to that distinction.
His address sparkled with bright say
ings and was received with much favor
Col Anthony was called out and
spoke for some time on newspapers,
making succession of hits which were
greeted by continuous laughter and ap-
plause.
At the business meeting of the Ed
itorial association Of northwestern
Kansas a constitution and bylaws were
adopted, and it was decided to take out
q charter under the state law. The
following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: d. A. Valentine of the
Clay Center Times, president; ]. w.
Mcbride, of the Cawker City Times,
vice-president; j. l. Bristow, of the Sa-