The Somerset reporter., 1909-09-02

generation. In its place will appear
the heading ''THE INDEPENDENT
REPORTER, signifying the union of
the REPORTER with the SOMERSET
INDEPENDENT. Changes of the i'm
portance of the one thus made are
never brought about hastily and in
this instance the weightiest and most
deliberate consideration were given
every aspect of the case. Much more
than personal feelings and present ad-
vantage were involved in the de-
cision. The public, through friendli-
ness and loyalty, had earned the
right to have its wishes respected and,
had it seemed possible that the course
finally determined upon would fail OF
approval, or that it would result
otherwise than to the ultimate ad-
vantage of its patrons, the project
would have been abandoned. The i'm
propriety OF maintaining two plants,
with two sets of machinery and du-
plicate force of writers, seemed so at
varience with true economy. both for
publisher and subscriber, that the
wisdom of their union could not be
long in question.
The retirement of Mr.. Patten, who
has had an important proportion of
the local news and editorial work in
his care, since becoming connected
with the REPORTER in 1908, is coin
cident with the change now made.
He found the work in many ways
we'll suited to his capabilities, and his
inclination would have led him to con-
tinue it had health permitted, but the
time had come when change was
imperative. In his case the merging
of the two papers brings about at this
time what would have occurred on
January list, according to plans pre-
viously matured.
The termination of his employ
ment, howe yer, by no means signifies
the completion of his interest in the
REPORTER or the publication which
succeeds it, and it is probable that
articles from his pen will appear in
the columns of the INDEPENDENT
REPORTER in frequency at least suf-
ficient to retain an acquaintance with
the reading public.
The editor of the INDEPENDENT
REPORTER will be Mr.. Herbert c..
Libby who has become familiar to
the people OF this section through the
columns of the INDEPENDENT. He
brings to his work a splendid educa-
tional equipment, of which studies at
Colby and Harvard Colleges are only
part, being in his case but steps in
life devoted almost wholly to liter
airy pursuits. His first "copy" was
prepared while editor of the school
paper, in his High School days, and
service on the editorial board for
Colby College publications, and at
Harvard, where he graduated in 1901,
followed as a matter of course Out
of college, he was almost Immediate
ly connected as writer or manager
with publication enterprises and sew
eral books of his authorship and COM
pilation have been issued in recent
years. His friendliness and COM
panionable spirit are irresistible in
personal conversation and he is sure to
make brilliant reputation for him
self and to command universal res
pect for the pages of the INDEPEN-
DENT REPORTER to which his atten-
tion will hereafter be devoted.
Mr.. McNeelie, connected with the
REPORTER since 1878, and it's sole
proprietor since 1904, is much graft
fed that the pleasant relations so
long maintained are to continue. AS
business manager of the new enter
prise he will find himself serving the
same people, and that the friendship
shown for him and for the REPORTER
will remain uudisturbed, by the plans
Just maUured, is his ardent wish and
most confident belief. In this last
number of the REPORTER, in its old
form, he embraces the occasion to
thank very heartily every one in the
wide circle from which he has receiv-
ed support and to assure them in the
deepest sincerity that it has been
appreciated.
The music of the press, as it turns
off the final edition, could it be con-
verted into the usual medium of
speech, would say to the REPORTER
family, "Meet you all next week, III
the columns of the INDEPENDENT
REPORTER