The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-01
New York Sun. April 20.


To the Editor OF The Sun
Sir-lhe writer Is confident that our
Providence Press club would by unani-
nous vote testify its approval of The
Suns editorial of April % last, headed "News-
paper Men and Mendicancy." II Is the first
uncompromising utterance OF this character
that the club has been able to clip from a
prominent newspaper In support of its own
principles in these times when newspaper
clubs have been. on one pretext or another.
so rapidly drifting into mendicancy. The
Providence Press club has enjoyed ten years
of uninterrupted existence, which, the writer
believes, makes IL one of the oldest press clubs
in the country.
From the outset of its career it has sturdily
maintained the position set forth in it's orig
inal and brief declaration of principles" to
wit: Opposition to any form of favor given
or received, which Is not demanded by the
legitimate tiaties-ef the profession. Z"
Friendly offers of "benefts" and the like
have invariably been declined in the spirit of
the tender, and movements looking to acquir-
ing such benefits outside the club have been
sat upon-not always. of course. without a
struggle with the organization itself. The
club has been accused of maintaining this
perhaps ID has so done. But it has secured
thereby position of respect and influence In
the city and state which has doubtless been
beneficial to the individual newspaper men
who compose ito membership, IL not also in
degree even to the respective newspapers. II
has the good will of business and pro OCCASIONAL
men outside its club limits and would be
welcome beneficiary for anything IL would
accept. That good will is, however. the only
support IL asks for.
IL has steadily grown in prosperity, and It's
growth in membership Is checked alone by its
constitutional limitations designed to pre-
serve its character as a newspaper mems club.
Within the club members NAV be MS liberal
and as generous as their means and disposi-
tion dictate, and the result is the club has its
needs amply supplied and a magnificent spirit
of club loyal is engendered. II has repeat
edly declined to enter In to the National
association or the International league Of
press clubs for the sole reason that, despite
tue abundant mutual interests of a legitimate
character which might be conserved, the affii-
alton mas too often seemed to be to securee
benefits from outside interests rather than
from one another. A "junket" at the ex-
pense of some one else-undoubtedly. perhaps
"well able to afford to give IL t"-has seemed
to be the chief object In evidence. As the
most important press clubs in the country
were allied with these movements. the posi-
tion of the Providence Press club has been
supported only on the conviction that sooner
or later its course would be justified. And The
sun seems to have pricked the pretty bubble
that had been blowrfrom such dirty suds.
The writer takes pleasure in mailing The
sun copy of its souvenir menu, and In view
of the conspicuous benefit TO the newspaper
fraternity that will surely result from its edi-
torial of the I'd, but one thing would be nec-
essary TO place the name of is editor on the
clubs honorary membership list-now limited
to two. That one qualification lacking is a
visit to the club for the proper initiation
with which visit the club would very much
like TO be honored at the editors own conve-
nience.
AN Ex-PREsIDENT OF THE PROVIDENCE
PRESS CLUB.
Providence April %.