Fergus County Democrat., 1909-08-31
THE PRESS GANG.

The editor of the Democrat re-
GREETED exceedingly his inability to
attend the annual meeting OF tie State
Press Association which was held last
Friday and Saturday at Hunters Hot
Springs. From all accounts, it was
a most sucressful gathering Of the
newspaper men of the state. The
meeting was made more interesting
by the presence Of representatives
from the various state locals OF the
1ternational Typographical union.
This gathering enabled the employe,
and employe to get closer together.
exchange ideas and promote that
feeling of sympathy and amty which
should exist between the two classes
of workmen in the printing business.
A most satisfactory condition
exists in the publishing and printing
business of this state insofar as the
relation of employer and employe is
concerned. Montana printers are paid
the top wages received by the men,
bers of their craft and, as a result
of this fact, there are more high class
printers in proportion to the number
employed in this state than in any
other state Of the union.
In times past, the annual session OF
the newspaper men Of Montana was
in the nature Of some junket. One
year it was through Americas mar
velous Wonderland; another the in
comparable valley of the Bitter Root
was visited. The last and most no.
table trip was taken three years ago
last February when party OF forty
or fifty publishers went to Los An
geles, California, through the cour-
tesy of fonmer U. S. Senator w. A
Clark.
Since that last trip, the annual ses-
sions have been held more with a
view to promoting the business wei
fare of the members Of the publishing
profession in Montana than for the
purpose OF participating i'll pleasant
outing. Interesting and instructive
papers have been read. There have
been discussions on topics Of vita
importance to the publishers Of thi
state. Of these meetings has beef
born mutuality of feeling and action
which has done much to strengthen
and encourage the individual mem
bers of the association in all branche
OF their business.
AS a usual thing, the newspape
men of Montana are kept so constant
ly employed in footing the horns Q
everybody else that little time is foun
for practice upon their own bugle;
But as a matter of fact, there is ne
a state in the union the papers c
which are published and edited b
more progressive, brainer men. An
search Montana from eastern t
western border, from north to soutl
and one will not find any class {
men more genuinely devoted to th
highest welfare of their great stat
or doing more toward urging tt
Treasure state onward toward IL
glorious fulfllment of dazzling de
tiny. Untoward circumstances m;
take the heart out of others but
matters not whether newspap
man is reaping the golden rewards
prosperity or holding daily conf
over his cash book with failure, he
always leading the vanguard of t
boosters brigade. Optimism is /
creed, and faith, hope and charit
mingled each in equal part, form /
religion.
For two years past, the Monta
State Press Association has be
most fortunate in its executive
fcers. Joe Smith II, of Virginia CT
has been its president. Joe is gent
man of the old school variety. Inn;
courtesy, an immaculate concept
of honor and honesty. an unfailing
gard for the fine ethics of the ne,
paper profession give Joe deser,
place in the affections of his brotl
publishers
Ira Cole, proprietor and editor
the Forsyth Times is the secreta
One of the best writer's in the Sta
a hustler from the ground up, Ira
also one of the most sociable. lika
little chaps in this state. With 5,
men as Smith and Cole rum
things. it is little wonder that
: Montana Press Association is com
to be looked upon as one of
strong forces in the social. polit
and commercial welfare of this 1T