New-York tribune., 1901-05-26

THE SPEECH OF SIR JOHN LENG. NJ. P. AT
THE PUBLISHERS ANNUAL DINNER.

THE PUBLISHERS ANNUAL DINNER.
The Newspaper Society of Great Britain had its
annual dinner the other evening in London. Sir
John Leng NJ. p proprietor of The Dundee Ad-
vertiser.' delivered address. in the OF
which he said:
An old boy revtsiting his school was said to have
since he left IT, and was answered: The masters
changed, the chapel is changed. the tuck shop
is changed bit as for the boys. bless them! they
as fun of life and as mschievous as ever.'
QaughterD Much the same might be said of this
society PrOpTietOrs might change; editors
tributors and reporters might change but the
Newspaper Society was stronger than ever AT
one time its membership was entirely provincial;
now 1t was metropolitan as well It's head was at
me North ana 10 Lana 5 Emo IN the South ne
changes in the membership OF the society Corre-
sponded with the changes in the newspaper press.
In its early days its comparatively few members
almost entirely represented weekly newspapers.
but the halfpenny evenings papers. and many edi-
tons of them They had not only the great week
manners of trade and professional, class and
ciety journals some Of them ranking among the
had the honor that day of being elected president
felt that If he had any special qualification for the
nalism and the new. He was the sub-edltor OF the
years ago. Since then ne had only witnessed.
BTt taka ten part hag in all the changes and develop
As an old Journalist, speaking from experience,
Journalism not merely to keep abreast of, but,
rather, 10 Keep IN advance or, the times. (Heari
hearD Some people shook their heads what they
considered the audacity. irreverence and presump-
ton of the new Journalism. and more particularly
OF the new halfpenny journalists. Well boys Will
be boys; give them time, and they would become
dull enough. just dull their neighbors 1augh-
terO Quite recently. in replying inquiry.
What is the chief danger which confronts the
coming century," brilliant Irish member who
not long since had paper Of his own and there
fore ought to know said: Newspapers" G4augh-
ter) Curiousy enough, two brilliant novellsts and
lecturers Joined in seeing the origin of the woes
Of the new century In IAN Unbalanced. exctabIe
and sensation mongering," and IAN irresponsible
and unbrided press: With all Difference 10 these
gentlemen, il seemed to him that their New Years
statements simply showed that they were stiL suf-
fer1ng from their Christmas dinner. 0-aughter)
He might be optimist, he might have too high
an opinion Of his profession but, according 10
his judgment, the majority of newspapers were
quite scrupulous the majority Of politicians
-CHear! Heart and laughter)-and If among the
new journals there ill balanced ex-
citable and sensation-mongering, they would ere
long gain their balance. survive their excitement
and exhaust their sensations; while the good com
of the great majority of the peopIa
ity and restraint temporarily reckless and
wayward press (Applause) He had accepted the
presidency Of the society for the ensuing year
an honor he highly appreciated-relying on the kind
assistance of his predecessors in the chair and
support which he felt assured he should receive
from his colleagues the committee. (Applause)