The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-10
WANT GOOD CROWD
PRESS ASSOCIATION TO HAVE FINE
TINE IN JULY.
Pointed References i'm Letters from
President and Committee to Cur
taiIment of constitutional
Right to Make Contracts

Referring briefly. but pointedly, to
the recent unpleasantness over the In
reference of the Chief Executive and
the Legislature of the State" in the
constitutional right" of members of
the Alabama Press Association TO make
contracts, President r. E. l.. Mel of the
Association calls upon members to con-
tinue by their interest and co-opera-
ton the existence of the Association
Intimating that a termination of the
career of the Association might be
pleasing to some of those in high
places, President Mel importunes all
members to make the next annual
meeting in Montgomery, July IS and 10,
even more successful than the last con-
vention in Gadsden.
r. E. L. Mel, Jacob Pepperman and
A. b. Kennedy, the sub committee ap-
thorized by the Association to set dates
for the annual convention, has also is
sued a letter in regard to the annual
meeting in Montgomery.
The sessions will be held at Electric
Park, where all the many attractions
will be opened without charge to the
members of the Association. Follow
ing the sessions in Montgomery. trip
to Mobile by the Alabama River Will
be enjoyed. After the members have
reached Mobile, they will be taken by
boat to Point Clear.
1t is expected that special and re-
duced rates from all points to Mont
gomery and return will be obtained
from the railway companies.
In its letter, the subcommittee says:
However, 1t is the belief of the COM
mittee that whether transportation is
or is not arranged for, every member
of the Association should pay mis- way
to Montgomery, feeling that the bene-
fits received and the pleasure of the
outing arranged for will well be worth
the money expended. If the existence
of the Association is dependent upon
the small amount of railroad fare, an
unfriendly If not vindictive Governor,
through pliable Legislature. interior
ing with the constitutional rights of
free press, makes it necessary to pay
then the sooner its course is run and
its members confess themselves in it
only for selfish purposes, the better for
all concerned"
Following is a copy of President
Niels letter:
Whether the Alabama Press Associa-
ton shall continue to exist lies entirely
with you and your action with regard
to the coming annual meeting to be
held July 18th and 10Th. l am sure
you will acquit your President and the
other officers of the Association of hav-
ing left undone anything that might
nave been done to further your interest
in the recent unpleasantness' over the
interference by the Chief Executive
and the Legislature of the State in your
constitutional right to make contracts
whenever and however you pleased
That we failed in our endeavor was
your and our misfortune, but hardly
our fault.
THE meeting for 1907 can be made
exceedingly pleasant and whollyt bene-
fetal if the members will make the
sacrifice of their time and means and
attend. If little more cost is to keep
the members away, then, indeed, has
the purpose for which the Association
was organized been a misnomer. To
have the Association turn its toes to
the dairies now would. 1 believe, be
gratifying to some in high places. To
have an attendance at the annual meet
ing in Montgomery larger than at
Gadsden and at other places would be
more than gratifying to your President
and appreciated by him as an endorse
ment of his course in the adminstra-
ton of the affairs of the Association at
a serious crisis.
Il, therefore, appeal to you, officially
and personally, to make favorable and
prompt reply to the queries of the sub
committee and by all means to- attend
the business meeting in Montgomery
July 18th and 18th, whether you go on
the outing or not"