The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-02-01
Maine Press Association.

W0uI1C IICOO HCCOVsussVss'
Potential as the press is supposed to be-
in manv direction. it has no influence with
the clerk of the weather, and at its annual
meetings, held in January the chmatle
conditions are not always favorable. LII
Augusta on one occasion the thermometer
in the Augusta House stood at 80 while out
of doors it was 20 below. In bangor-the
only meeting held there in the writer's ex.
perience-skates were needed 10 navigate
with safety the icy streets and pavements
In Portland one year members accohpa'
MED by their wives had to invest IN u,n-
brellas to protect the "best bonnets; and
on another occasion we were showed in at
the Preble House for "a hours. This year
wa had bright sunshine, with tempera-
ture in the day time just above freezing,
and no snow or ice underfoot-two re-
markable January days in a winter that
thus far had been a record breaker in many
directions. Seen from the train the country
look ed as it does in early spring. The fields
were bare and brown, with only patch OF
snow here and there, and the kennebec
river appeared just ready to burst its icy
fetters. Indeed, along the shores there
were occasional patches OF open water,
only to be distinguished from the glare ice
by the ripples ON their surface. At Water
vile ice harvesting was in progress, ana
| farther down river skaters were seen; but
otherwise there were no signs of activity.
|
held as usual in the common council room,
city building, and the first session was
called to order at $50 p. m. Thursday by
| President j. Il. Ogier of Camden, with an
unusually large attendance. In opening
his address President Ogier paid tribute
to the memory of Joseph O. Smith of Skow-
hegan and John NJ. S. Hunter OF Pennington,
two members who died since the last meet
ing, Then, turning to business matters, he
said that he believed that there never had
been time when there was greater need
for union on the part of the press OF
Maine than now. He called attention to a
movement, backed by manufacturers ass0-
Citations and large department stores, to
| urge Congress to amend the postal laws so
as to provide for one cent letter postage
and the CHASING of all newspaper and
other regular publications with merchan-
disc to be sent at merchandise rates. Sec
ond class matter, which now includes news
papers, is mailed at one cent per pound,
| but mailed as merchandise newspapers
would have to pay one cent per ounce; and
| President Ogier well said that it was need
! less to call attention to the effects OF law
that would require the mailing OF newspa-
pers at merchandise rates. President Ogier
also recommended the appointment of a
legislative commi ttee, whose duty 1t would
be to watch the proceedings OF the LegIsia-
ture and be alive to the interests of the pub
fishing business if any detrimental leglsia-
tion were offered.
One of the two surviving charter members
of the Association Ot was organized August
| II, 1864, J is Hon. Joseph A. Homan of Au-
gusta, now over 90 years of age, and the
following letter, penned with his own hand,
was read
"Dear Mr.President: | have just receiv-
| ed the usual notice from our veteran secre-
| u
full attendance at the annual meeting OF
the association. 1t would be great prlvl-
| lege and, | need not say, great pleasure,
| to meet my brothers of the press on that oc-
! casion but regret that very nconvenlent
old age will deny them to me- L should
have to bring with me so many lnhrmltles lt
of body as inevitably to suggest Old sam
Johnson's time worn sarcasm on ''Superflu-
Gus Lags' and so | will have to be with you
in spirit and in sympathy, not without the
grateful assurance that am still kindly re-
| membered when, in former years OF service,
| | have won regard and frlendSnlp. Wishing
YOU successful and enjoyable meeting, l
| am
Yours truly,
| Joseph A. Homan."
It was voted that the secretary make reply
to the letter on behalf of the association.
The other surviving member, Hiram X
Morrell of Gardiner, was present with his
wife and young son.
The committee to nominate officers, fol.
lowing precedent, named the first vice presl'
dent. Liston P. Evans of Dover, for Presl
dent. but to their surprise and to the regret
of every body, Mr. Evans positively declined
to accept the office because OF his many re-
sponsbilities and business cares. 1t is al
honor to be chosen President of the Maine
| Press Association, and Mr.. Evans WoulG
have lonored the position; but as he re
fused to reconsider his determination the
report was recommitted, and subsequently
the committee reported the following list o1
officers for the ensuing year and they were
elected: President, William III. Dow, Port
land vice presidents, Fred W. Sanborn Of
Norway, Arnold II. Jones of Rockland, Ar
thur S. Forbes of South Paris; secretary
Joseph Wood, Portland; treasurer, q. F.
Flynt, Augusta corresponding secretary
Edward S. Stearns, Thomaston; executive
committee, William H. Dow (ex-of6cio) ol
Portland, George d. Loring of Portland
Samuel L. Miller of Waldoboro, Walter F.
Marston of Hallowell.
A revised list of county historians was re-
ported, which includes Miss Grace E. Bur
CESS as the historian for Waldo county. Ed
ward W. Hyde of the Bath Anvil, George
w. Singer of the Damariscotta Herald, and
! Frances Moore of the Sawyer Publishing
Co., Waterville, were admitted to member
ship.
Various matters Of interest to newspaper
publishers We're informally discussed. MIR
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