The Republican journal., 1908-01-30

| newspaper writer's. At BOwdOin he had
been connected with the college publica-
tions, and in January, 1852, he began
his newspaper experience in Portland
| as all associate editor. The war spirit
was in full force thereabouts and Fort
Preble was manned with the 18th Maine
Regiment, which lost many men at the bat
tie of Gettysburg. The papers were much
then as they are now, wise, considerate and
strong in politics. Still the political tension
was not the same as in times of peace. The
organs of both parties were united in the
support of the old flag and did much to in
crease the enlistment. The First Maine
cavalry, that regiment of long armed
swordsmen, was enlisted at Augusta in the
midst of SHOWS. The speaker said that
when he saw Gen. -Cilley seated at one of
the tables he was reminded that he was one
of the few living members Of the regiment.
| Of all of the officers who went from Port
land IS are living here, and out of all the
brigader generals from Maine Nut two are
| in the State and there are two outside.
| Only seven or eight of the So or So colonies
are living Gen. Mattocks said that in those
days man had to be more than colonel
of wide-a- wakes to get that title and he had
to do something more than make a stump
speech in schOolhouse to get his picture
in the papers, The newspaper workers were
an older set of men than at present and the
papers of New England were remarkable,
as they are now. The Springfield Republi-
| can, published in an inland place, was per-
haps the leading newspaper in New Eng
land The profession has given to this country
some of it's most brilliant men. During the
| past 20 years there has been more progress
| in the business than ever before, and prob
ably more will be made during the next
century. In closing, the general paid
tribute to Maine, saying that no State has
produced better statesmen, artists and
poets. Go where we will, we find Maine
men and women at the front in every move
ment in the progress of this country.
Other speakers were Frederick L. Fas-
sett Of Portland, J. H. Ogier of the Camden
Herald, Arnold II. Jones of ROckland,
president-elect of the Maine Press Associa-
tion, Oscar r. Work, business manager of
the Portland Argus, Geo. A. Quimby C'Our
George'') of Belfast, Kendall NJ. Dunbar Of
Damariscotta and George S. ROwell of the
Portland Advertiser. Messrs. Dunbar and
Ogier testified to the merits of the Damaris-
Gotta Herald as a matrimonial agency.
Each had in turn owned the paper and
having married young ladies who came to
them for employment had reason to con-
graduate themselves on their choice. Mr..
Wish was introduced as a man who had
passed his hundredth birthday, and we all
wish that he may live to celebrate it. 'Our
George had prepared a corker of a speech
but had left it at home. His statement of
the situation "5rought down the house. -
Mr. Rowell, as usual, made a neat little
speech which closed the exercises and left
everybody in happy mood.
An interested listener to Gen. Mattock S
remarks was a schoolmate of his at the old
Lewiston Falls Academy, in Auburn, in
1867.
Col. F. E. Boothby of the Maine Cen
tral, one of the speakers at the banquet
Thursday evening, said Friday: 81 believe
in the Maine Press association because
believe in Maine and in advertising it. The
association is doing good work, and think
work no other organization could do as
we'll. am always glad when l can get in
touch with those who are doing their best
to make Maine known to the outside
world.''
The City Hall having burned, the Friday
| hal in ha Gtato nf MaiOp
room, Falmoutn Hotel. At the morning
session the new postal regulations were
again discussed at length. One speaker
pointed out that the ruling and the instruc-
tions to postmasters were capable OF three
different interpretations, and others found
it difficult to determine whether the ruling
was to take effect January 1st, as first an
nounced, or be deferred until April. There
was one point ON which all seemed to agree,
no right to dictate what credit newspapers
should giveto to subscribers. Several stated
that three years had been the limitwith them,
and two daily publishers stated that if this
ruling of the post Office department was en-.
forced it would cut down their circulation
one-third All agreed that there were abuses
of the second class privilege which they
would gladly see corrected. Que member,
who is IA postmaster as well as editor, said
that legitimate newspapers have nothing to
fear from this ruling; that their business
would not be interfered with in any way,
and that the post Office department has full
authority from Congress to regulate the
postal service That is no doubt correct,
but in the matter of credit it has certainly
exceeded its authority. 1t might largely
increase the rate on second class matter, as
the late unlamented third assistant post
master general Madden attempted to do,
but has no right to dictate how newspaper
publishers shall conduct their business. In
commenting on the statements of the editor
and postmaster a member suggested that a
postmaster Who-was not on good terms with
a publisher might cause the publisher a
good deal of annoyance. After a lengthy
discussion the following Nfolutions were
adopted:
Resolved, That the Maine Press. Associa-
tiOn favOrs the correcting of existing abuses
of the second class mailing privileges and is
in sympathy with the purpose of the depart
ment in trying to correct those abuses.
We believe that SO much Of the recent
ruling AS relates to the sample copy privi-
1~ h