Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper Directory and HistoryClinton On County Organizations"In these days of unions, of trusts, of syndicates, of corporations and combinesof all sorts it ought to be apparent, it is as apparent as I can hope to make it to theintelligent newspaper man, that he and his profession can be no exception to the lawunder which society is organized. Fierce competition has forced rivals in every othercalling and profession to recognize the necessity for organization. Editors are quick tosee and ready to announce the importance of organization everywhere except in theirown profession. Here, too often, the editor decides to make his fight alone, and thoughhe 'be a hero in the strife' the fruits of his victories are likely to be delayed until hehas entered the better land. Already the city editor has lost his identity and has becomesimply an interchangeable cog in the wheel of the great financial combine which compelshim to grind out impersonal editorials to the order of the counting room. And theunorganized and warring country editors, each fighting for himself alone, soon findshimself worsted in contest with the thoroughly organized clique of county politicianswho mass their forces and gain their ends by keeping the editors jealous of and at warwith each other thus destroying their influence and making them the laughing stockof sensible men in the other professions."Every trade, calling or profession has its laws for admission to full membership.The darky who whitewashed a dead wall must belong to 'de union.' Every otherprofession guards the gateways to membership, has its schools and its recognized standards;the veterinarian before he may prescribe for a sick cat, the dentist before hemay crush a tooth, the druggist before he may sell a box of pills or a dose of catnip,the physician before he may prescribe sulphur for scabbies, the attorney before he maycharge a big fee for a transparent lie to a jury, the school ma'am before she may impartthe mysteries of the alphabet, the clergyman before he reaches the state of infallibilityeach and every one must attain to the prescribed standard fixed by his fellows andenacted into law. No such protection bars the open gate to the journalistic paradise,but above gleams an ignis fatmts flame ever luring on to fame or failure, the deadbeats, cranks and fools of all other callings and professions who enter unquestionedexcept by associations like this, to occupy the editorial tripod, the only other guardiansof the profession being the fool killer and the law of the survival of the toughestand the fittest."As to the benefits which may arise from county organization it may be said:As county lines, largely, mark the bound of common interests so these are the naturalboundary lines for primary organization so necessary to curb the tendency manifested,especially by new beginners, to enter into a suicidal competition. City and town organizationsare good where possible but even then a county organization is a necessity asan umpire between rivals in the same town. Some of the tasks which may be attemptedearly in the history of a county organization are the cultivation of a fraternal spiritsuch as marks the personal intercourse of members of the legal and other professions.The development of enough professional pride ought to stop the bitter personal attacksupon rivalry. A county organization ought to be able to agree upon a fair and equitablerate for all legal advertising, and for party work. To enforce the law requiring thepublication of township officers' reports — and to fix a just and equitable rate for suchwork as well as for the publication of announcements of county and township officers;for publication of official tickets, for printing election tickets, for publishing proceedingsof supervisors and city councils, and to prevent competitive bidding, for tax lists, etc."Unlike district and state associations which meet only at long intervals the countyassociation with a live set of officers can keep in constant communication and meet130