San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-09-26
YOUNG JOURNALISTS.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EXTENSIVE
AND INSTRUCTIVE HOBBY.
Hundreds of Little Papers and Mag
azines Published by the Young
People Of America-Some
San Antonio Amateur
Papers.

IuOuU avenue, Jersey NlJy, N. DE-,
president of the National Amateur |
Press association, passed through |
the city last week, on his way to
California. Mr.. Burger was met
by the local amateur journalists
who rendered him an informal re-
ception at the home of Earl Lang
den, on Laurel Heights, Saturday
night, at which the San Antonio
Amateur Press club, with Lee w.
Green, 313 Elmira street, as presi-
dent, was organized.
"By amateur journalism" said
Mr.. Burger to a LIGHT reporter,
"we mean that hobby or voca-
tion of the young people of this
country, which consists Of pub
fishing, editing or contributing to,
small monthly, bi-monthly, or
quarterly papers, with view to
literary Improvement. There are at
present something like five hun
dred amateur journalists in this
country, and two hundred odd am.
ateur papers. Those who are not
in position to publish paper on
their own account, or who prefer
literary to editorial work, contrib
ute essays, sketches or verses to
the various journals. The Nation
al Amateur Press association con-
fers upon the author of the best
poem, essay or sketch contributed
to the amateur publications during
the year, laurelships, and likewise
recognizes the best edited paper.
The noted literary critics of this
country have in the past years
acted in the capacity Of judges of
awards, which has lent additional
Importance to the laureateships in
the eyes Of contestants. / can
best compare an amateur journal
to a nicely kept essay or compost
ton book" continued Mr.. Burgess,
(which is placed on exhibition, and
in which the student writes each
month a number of essays, verses
or editorial opinions, taking all the
more care and exercising all the
better judgment because the COM
position, as in the amateur paper, is
placed on public exhibition. In
addition to this, the amateur jour-
nalists are in constant correspon-
dence with each other. In the
summer of each year we hold an
annual convention, at which we
meet old friends, or some new ac-
Quaintances with whom we have
had much pleasant correspondence,
but had never met. AT these con-
ventiens we hold our annual cleo
ton of officers, in which there is
always manifested during the few
preceding months considerable in
terest. This is amateur jour-
nalism; not only literary,
but a political school as we'll,
for the enthusiastic campaign
between the opposing candidates
always calls into play a large
amount of political shrewdness.
These conventions are usually well
attended, and have been held
without interruption since 1876.
In 1898 we met in Chicago, this
year we met in Boston, and next
year we go to Cincinnati.
"This article will give you some
idea of amateur journalism" said
Mr.. Burger, taking from his pock-
ct a circular on that subject. The
paper says, among other things:
at is the only practical training
school for journalism in existence.
It's graduates are remarkably sue
cessful in newspaper work. Scarce
lily great daily can be
| found in this country which
does not number more than one
ex-amateurs among 1.-THE mem bers
of its editorial staff. 1t also affords
the best means of acquiring skill
in writing. There is no such dis
cipline as that which comes of see
ing your own work in print, and
reading the comments and criti-
cisms OF your fellows upon it.
"Amateur journalism, more than
any other pursuit, develops indie
pendence of mind and breadth of
view. The constant friction be-
tween the minds of hundreds of
young people tends invariably to
stimulate each of these minds to
highest activity"
There have been published at
various times in San An
tonic the following papers:
"Texas YOUTH" by Sam J.
Chapel, 1885 to 1887; "Literateur,"
by Ed. F. Brotze, 1886; youths
Pilot" by VIM. l.. Hoefgen, 1885;
"Tablet," by j. T. Walton, 1887;
MColnmbia.n 1887 and mTexas.n 1882.