Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-02-12

II Is most fitting that we should con
yene this year and this month in the
quaint French, Spanish, American
city OF New Orleans, since just twenty
FIVE years ago amid these same de-
lightful surroundings, the National
Editorial Association first came into
being. For some time prior the ad-
vantages of such a community Of in
terests had been urged by several
State organizations, but the fulfill
ment OF the plan came when number
of fraternal representatives assembled
during a visit to the great Cotton Elk
position of 1885, drew up a Constitu-
ton, elected officers and made this
Association reality. No one can
compute the influences for good that
have gone out from that first meeting
1.-The higher ideals, the fresh inspira-
ton, the Improvement in mechanism,
not to mention the ties of friendship,
and the broadening influences OF
travel all of which have flowed from
our yearly conventions.
We regret that we have not more
of the charter members here to enjoy
the results of their forethought, but
to the pioneers present on this Silver
Anniversary those OF us who have
come later into this goodly heritage
would say a word of congratulation,
and appreciation, and we feel we are
fortunate in having them, together
with some Of our former Presidents,
to gather up the thread of our past
, history and present it to US at this
time.
1t is just six months since we con-
vened in the beautiful Puget Sound
city of Seattle, and it has required
dispatch and zealousness on the part
Of your officers to prepare for this
meeting, treading as it does upon the
heels of the last A great amount of
executive work has necessarily been
crowded into what is perhaps the
shortest term in the history of the or
ganization.
| Since our last executive meeting in
] Chicago we have lost faith in the old
/ saying tbs best to make haste slow
| ly," for after an exceedingly brief
notice to the committeeman we were
surprised and gratified to have one
of the best attended meetings in the
| life of the association, demonstrating
the interest each individual member
takes in the promotion and welfare OF
| the organization. At the opening Of
the meeting, for the first time is his
/ tory, Father Herbert was disbarred:
the reason he was not allowed to
show his face will be explained later
when we see his face perpetuated. The
date of our present convention was
determined upon at that meeting and
the preliminary arrangements per-
fected. Among the various important
matters transacted was the appoint
men of a committee of three to act
with the National Committee on the
Printing of Stamped Envelopes by
| the Government. This National Com
mittee is composed of representatives
| facturers Association, The National
! Association of Stationers and Mann
facturers, The National Paper Deal
er's Association, The International
Association of photographers, Ma
tional Printers League of America
and United Typothetae of America.
This general committee has held a
number of meetings in Washington
and now has bill pending before
| Congress to abolish the making and
printing of stamped envelopes by the
| Government.
In his inaugural address at Harvard
University President Lowell. speaking
on Education, said: know something
of many things and everything about
something" 1t seemed to me this
would be a good slgan for news
paper convention. The old way o.
saying it was "a little learning is a
dangerous thing" but to keep abreast
Of the times, when as much is crowd
ed into a day as formerly was put
| into a year, smattering OF many
! things and a thorough knowledge OF
few is the only possible course. The
country editor realizes this when he
becomes the court of appeals in dis
puted questions or the referee for
doubtful ones. Question and answer
frequently being telephone general in
formation is invaluable. On the other
hand this same editor knows he can
not afford to sit in his sanctum and
indite editorials alone. If he is a sue
| cess he must be omnipresent-in the
| composing room, over the counter
watching his ledger, Shocking hands
with subscribers, encouraging adver-
tisers, looking up subscriptions-thus
his plant and operation become the
something he mast know eyerything
| fp1ut."
In broader sense there is ne y
| fesson in the world whore Y Is 50
necessary to "Enow sone'h'n9 o.
many things and everv-Ain7 ab7r.
something" as in journ Thie
pursuit of knowledge. hcw ref oas #"
| dangers and one az I've r~ frT.ntH