The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-06-15
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
OF PRESS ASSOCIATION
Rufus N. Rhodes, of The News, Succeeds
Editor Camper as President
of the Body.

! in the history of the association.
| The convention was attended by tho
leading editors of the state, who were ac-
companied by their wives, sisters and
daughters making a gathering of almost
200 persons.
| The meeting was held in the rooms of
tha Commercial club and was called to
order at 10 o'clock by President w. NJ.
Camper of Florence. Secretary ]. Asa
Rountree, who has SO faithfully served the
association in that capacity for the past
eight years. was at his post.
The meeting was opened with prayer
by Rev. Z. W. Jones, who invoked the
blessings of Divine Providence upon the
meeting and the press of Alabama.
In the absence of Mayor Drennen, who
was indisposed, DIR. John H. Phillips. SUI
perintendent of the public schools, deliv-
cred the address of welcome on behalf of
| the city, in most fitting mannG.
| Ross c. Smith, on behalf of the CONNER
cial club extended the association a most
hearty welcome.
Fer the Local Press
The fraternaI greetings of the local press
were extended by Rufus N. Rhodes, OF
the News, who, in a few we'll chosen re-
IndTkS, COHNGyeu " lll6 Hl6IiDtIS lIl0 IL
ternal feelings of the newspaper men Of
the city. He spoke most complimentary of
the press of Alabama, which, he said, was
striving to attain q higher and better
plane, as the opponents of truth and right.
The response to the triplicate welcome,
on behalf of the association, was made
by Major w. W. Screws, of the Montgom-
cry Advertiser who expressed the high
appreciation of every member of the as
ISOLATION at the reception with which they
had been met and referred most enthu-
siastically to the unity of action as eXem-
plihed in the words of welcome, coming
from three different interests of the city.
He paid a glowing tribute to Birming
ham, and believed that the entire state re-
joiced in her propriety and progress.
Secretary Rountree read a list of the
names of the editors who would go to Nj
agara Falls, and requested all who had not
secured passage to make application to
him at once.
A short recess was taken for the pay
ment of dues and when the meeting was
again called to order tho following reso-
luton was introduced by II. S. Doster of
the Prattville Progress:
whereas, Hon. Charles e. Waller,
speaker of the house of representatives,
has proved himself true friend of the
press of Alabama by his earnest efforts to
secure such just legislation would tend
to promote the cause of journalism in our
state; therefore
"Be it resolved, That we extend to him
our sincere thanks and assure him that We
deeply appreciate the interest he has mani
tested in the welfare of the press of Ala
bama.
Resolved, That these resolutions be
spread upon the minutes of our association
and a copy be forwarded to Hon. Charles
E. Waller at Greensboro"
The motion was referred to the commit
tee on resolutions. By amendment the
resolution shall include the names of Sena-
tors j. II. Nunnellee and w. D. jerks and
Representatives II. S. Doster and Horace
Hood.
The Annual Poem
The annual poem which was written by
Mrs. Ella Lowery Moseley, formerly of
the Birmingham Times, who is now en-
route to Singapore with her husband DR..
r. A. Moseley who was recently appointed
to that important post, was read by Mrs.
M. b. Pierce, of the Citronville Times.
The poem was a satire entitled ''The Lay
of a Society Editress," and elected much
applause, and on motion of Percy Clarke
a vote of thaRks was rendered to the au-
thoress.
The committee on resolutions was APP
| pointed as follows: W. e. Yerby, DR.. L.
| II. Grubbs, A. II. Stevenson, Percy Clarke,
| E. r. Calhoun. Jacob Pepperman and II. 8.
| Doster.
| J. Earle Garrison, of the Sullgent Light
ming, the acknowledged humorist of the
Alabama press, favored the meeting with
an excellent paper on the UPS and Downs
of a Country Editor" which would have
done credit to Bill Nye.
THE Strong Points and the Weak Points
of Alabama Journalism was the next ques-
ton taken up, and was discussed at length
by William E. w. VERIFY of the Green's
boro Watchman; Percy Clark of the Sell
ma Telegram; A. III. Stevenson, of the
Roanoke Leader, and L. Hensley Grubbs,
| of the Decatur News
The, subject was still under discussion
when the meeting adjourned for dinner.
The afternoon session was called to or
der at 1 o'clock, and the discussion of the
| subject. Strong Points and Weak Points
| of Alabama Journalism" was again taken
| up The discussion was of more than Or
| binary interest, and was participated in
| by John C. Williams of the Talladega
| Mountain Home, William C. Bunting Of the
| Florence Herald, Percy Clark of the Selma
| Telegram, Tom Garner of the Tuscaloosa
Gazette, and others. who developed some
interesting and practical points in connec-
ton with the successful conduct of week.
ly as well as daily papers.
One of the most interesting features of
the meeting was the annual Grafton by c.
r. Bricken Of the Luverne Journal. MIR.
Bricken was introduced by Secretary Roun-