Year: 1879

Below we append some remarks from the Pine Bluff Press in relation to the proposed convention of editors and publishers at Little Rock during the tune of the State Fair. While we are not entirely satisfied that it will be best to abandon the old Asso- citation and form new one, we think there are some points touched upon in the Press article which deserve the attention and earnest cousldera- ton of all newspaper owners and managers:

 A large majority Of the newspapers in the State are in favor of 8 new Press Association organization. We desire to see this and hope all the editors and publishers of newspapers in the State win attend the meeting. We suggest that the meeting occur in the city of Little Rock on the sec ord day of the State Fair. That Te may not be misunderstood, we will state that it is for no selfish purpose that ve favor this new organization, but for the general good of the news paper fraternity of Arkansas. We desire 10 position in the new organ ization, if such should be, but we de sire to have only persons members of the new association who are bona fide members Of the press of this State. There are other matters of public interest that the press Of the State in it's last convention failed to take cognizance of; and we feel as- sured that new organization will rebound to the general good of the fraternity as well ss to the public. We hope, therefore, to sec e good at tendance on the day mentioned. Let us meet at any rate and if, after we get together, it is deemed inexpedi- ent to form 6 new association, we shall be content to abide by the de cision. We have still another object for the meeting of editors and pub fishers st the time suggested. It is for the purpose of taking into con sideration the matter of eulogizing candidates and giving them public ity without compensation. Previous legislatures, members of which were endorsed by their county papers, have stripped the newspaper Of near ly all the former official patronage. In the anxiety to cut down expenses these legislatures (and especially the last) have been guilty of the worst kind of parsimony, and unless some positive action is taken by the press, the newspaper business in Arkansas will be plotted out Quite q number Of papers have already suspended and unless the press take some steps to rectify matters few more years will find the majority of us sunk like some of our already un- fortunate brethren, into oblivion. Every document, nearly, issued by the governor, and all Of the depart ments of State, now reach us by cir cular and with a request to please publish free. No compensation whatever are VIC allowed. It has been demonstrated that q newspaper cannot subsist on subscriptions alone--they must have public as well as private advertising. The next Press Convention will not meet until June, 1880, and before that time candidates will be thick and we shall have no concert of action rela- tive to the charge for favorable men ton made by the friends of the diff ferent office seekers. There are 2 great many other important things that deeply concern our fraternity- and which should be handled with out delay--and again VIC urge all who favor the above suggestion to meet at Little Rock on the 2d day of the State Fair.