The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-02-23
MouLDERs OF OPINION
The Gentlemen of the State Press
Assembled in Mitchell for Mid
Winter Meeting.

Assembled III MlCCQcu IOT NllO-
Winter Meeting.
The annual mid-winter meeting OF
the South Dakota Press Association
convened in this city today, the first
session being held in the rooms of
the Mitchell Clue.
The editors began arriving OF the
morning trains from the east, north
and west. and they were greeted 10y
members OF the reception committee.
another crowd arrived on the Mil
waukee trains of the afternoon from
the sosth aud east, bringing the total
| up to about 10, d number OF the edi-
tors being accompanied by their wives
The editors met i'm the club looms
and were called to order by President
Wentzy. with Secretary Cogan at his
desk. State Superintendent Kramer
was introduced TO the members and
gave d short and interesting state
ment of the moral and ethical train
ing that is under consideration for
lllUICutlClLs lIIO llG SCllOOio vi LIIC
state. MIR. Kramer asked for the CO.
operation of the newspapermen to
help i'm setting the matter properly
before the people of the state.
President Harry WentZy, editor OF
the Pukwana Press. delivered his
annual address to the assembled.edit-
ors, and in opening referred to The
age of commercialism. as applied to
the profession. MIR. Wentzy expressed
the opinion that lin the case of the
weekly newspaper. or what is usually
termed the country newspaper, the
commercial instinct that has struck
it is mighty commendable. and the
day has arrived when no one need be
afraid to enter the profession or bust
ness with d feeling that the news
paper profession is M which will re-
quire OF one the life recipient of
charity. There may be plenty Of ex-
hibitions OF newspaper failures in
an ethical sense. but looking at the
press from a standpoint OF financial
distress, [ feel sure in saying that
there are less failures in the news
paper profession than in any other
line of business In touching upon
one of the features of commercialism
MI. Wentzy said: 81 most FIRMLY
believe that the distinction OF selling
newspaper space and that Of selling
newspaper opinions is vastly more
made by the country newspaper than
by the metropolitan daily or periodt.
cal with the long credit mark in
favor of the country newspaper. This
is a fact demonstrated daily and the
writer's OH large city papers ha We told
me time and again how they are inn
portuned not to touch too strongly
upon those things which control the
whole destiny of this commercial
nation. AND there is no reason why
the country papers opinions should
not be as clearly drawn. secured from
just as authentic sources, as that of
its city compeer. II my opinion III
reference 10 country newspaper maxi
ing is worth anything. | would ad-
wise the discussion of those matters
which are S % oelicately handled by
the metropolitan press. | would ad-
wise handling them without gloves.
1t is always with a good deal of plide
that I pick up a weekly paper and
see in it a good, clean, fair and pro-
gressible editorial opinion" Mr..
Wentzy gave a report of the WORK Of
the association, speaking of it's var
ions meetings during the past year,
and referred to the work Of Secretary
Cogan. In closing the president en-
larged to some extent upon the need
fol- more tr%aternalism, not only i'm the
newspaper profession but in ali class
es of business, and urged a brJaden-
ing Of the membership of the press
association to bring in the editors OF
the state VINO unknowingly..are reap
ing the benefits from the association
without being in touch with it.
At Club Rooms Thursday Night. I'd
Thursday evening the editors gath
cred in the Mitchell Club looms for
the purpose of listening to a concert
which has been prepared by the local
committee i'm honor of their visit
This morning the editors assem-
bled in the club rooms for their
program Of the day, and in the even
ing they will be entertained at the
city hall, when a buffet luncheon and
dancing party will be given in their
honor.
A BENEFIT LECTURE.