The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-03-05
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.


A0SoCUNi"tAt A1CIluOIIs Ou uOlidbI'
Feb. 18th, 1907.
Some fifty members and guests as
sembed at O'Clock, when an excel
lent course dinner was served, after
which President O. S. Freeman well
coined the members and guests in a
pleasant manner and alluded to the
historical significance of the occas-
sion. Messages of greeting and re-
grets for inability to be present were
read from Senator elect Briggs, State
Treasurer D. S. Voorhees,, Mayor
Ginchtel, of Trenton, Thomas
Holmes, A. S. Crane and others.
The president called upon Charles
L. Stryker to act as POSTMASTER and
that gentleman filled the position
with dignity and grace and introduced
the speakers in a felicitous manner.
The first speaker presented .was
Governor e. G. Stokes, who expressed
the pleasure he felt in meeting with
the representatives of the newspapers
of the State, who were regulating the
world and telling other people how to
manage their affairs. Fifty years
was not long period in point of time
but the past fifty years had made
great progress in the worlds history, es-
pecially along educational lines. Great
as it was the newspapers of the coun-
try had kept pace with it. The editor
has wonderful opportunities to be a
moulder of public opinion and an
educator. While the metropolitan
newspapers do great work, the local
papers. have a specialization as they
come close TO the affairs of the people,
and because of the personality of the
man behind them can do much to
mould public opinion, and only by the
proper education of public opinion can
true progress be made The speaker
then alluded to two very important
matters now before the Legislature
patronage, which he declared to be
the greatest corruption of public life,
and which it was hoped to be done
away with by the bill now pending to
put civil service principles in opera
tion in the State offices. The other
was the grand jury system of the
State, which gave to one individual
the opportunity to defeat justice or
crafty private revenge. In closing
he urged the editorial profession to
greater eXertions toward bringing
about higher ideals and more exalted
craftsmanship. The speech was
heartily applauded.
l. r. Person read a poem appro-
pirate to the occasion setting forth
some OF the progress made in the fifty
years of the life Of the Association
and recalled the names and some of
the characteristics of the founders of
the organation. eve publish it by
request): NsH
The FifJie5h Anniversary of the New
Jersey Editorial Association.
A half a century ago
The times might justly be called slow !;
The hustliug post boys flying steed
Was still the synonym for speed
And news from London, two weeks old,
Was with a bated wonder told.
Some forty papers in this State
Served all the doings to relate;
And rustic patrons understood
Subscriptions could be paid in wood,
Or if, perchance, a note he'd count.
The scribe must bear the bank discount.
Editors then set forth their views
And. incidentally, the news.
They labored each without accord
And virtue failed oft of reward.
Portentous signs that filed the air,
Giving to thoughtful men much care
They realizing soon would be
Test of the Nations unity
SO swift the years have passed away
Those times seem but as yesterday.
To-day we meet to celebrate
An action. in itself not great
In its effect on State or Nation,
The birth of our Association.
The fathers, then unknown to fame,
Have left behind an honored name:
The moulding power of the press.
With patient care they daily wrought.
While passing years great changes brought:
The hustling post boys painting steed
Gave way to locomotive speed;
And soon that speed but raised a laugh,
For news was sent by telegraph.
Instead of steamer. two weeks old,
The news by cable now we're told
What haps at eight across the sea
We read in extra here at three:
BY dreadful conflict new birth
Has made our nation first on earth.
Well may we honor now the men
Who in those days, with voice and pen,
Gave to the world their earnest views
To speak of them delights our Muse
OF Bells, Nichols, Donaldson,
VauNortwick, Whitehead, Ferguson.
Howell, Holt, Robinson, Pharo,
Cassidy, Toller, Yard, Barlow.
Mills, Foote. Gardner, Tomilson. Gray,
Freese, Hood, Stille, Speer. all in their day
With Porter, Sharp, Killgore, and Chew,
Conger, and Mills, good men and true;
Judge Mar, sage counsellor of old.
Who gave this Judgment, we are told
True principle of Democracy ?"
Keep still when you have nothing to say"
Babcock. who always spoke outright
Regardless of his after plight
Postmaster Vance, who stood by flag
Flouting the presidential gag;