Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper Directory and History"This report is submitted by only two members of your committee becausethey desire to speak in the strongest terms possible of the energy, industry andunselfish work done by Mr. Page. He met every emergency with firmness, andwhile never in any way compromising either himself or the Illinois Press Association,he never faltered in his demand for an honest fulfillment of the pledges madethe committee of your association. While as indicated, these were not fulfilled asthey should have been, and while it is true that the officials could have been takeninto court and there compelled to answer for their broken faith— yet such a coursewould have only caused the revocation of every editorial pass and a final decisionwould not have been reached until now. In this view, Mr. Page, in our opinionexhibited great discretion and managed your affairs in a most able manner."Col. Geo. R. Davis and Maj. Moses P. Handy were ready and willing at alltimes to co-operate with us in every way, and each of them, at different times,aided Mr. Page to a great extent."The work of the committee was not as fruitful in some ways as they hadhoped, but this can be easily traced to the various changes made in the World's Fairmanagement. Yet the press of Illinois fared a great deal better than the press ofany other state—and had it not been for the steps taken by your association, thewives and children of Illinois editors would not have been admitted during the lastthree months of the fair only upon tickets purchased at the regular price. Themembers of this association dealt with the fair in a manner unparalleled forgenerosity. An average of two thousand dollars in advertising was given by eachmember and the average of admissions used did not exceed twenty-five dollars. Theeditorial contribution to patriotism was at least equal to that made by anyother class."In thanking the association for the honor conferred upon the committee inselecting us for the work we have performed to the best of our ability, we desireto say, that the experience in the World's Fair matter is only another illustrationof the general idea that it is the duty of the press to give up its columns to thegratuitous promotion of all sorts of enterprises; and it teaches anew the lesson thatevery publisher should exact reasonable rates for every line in his paper that goesto the upbuilding of any business, and if he desires to make contributions let it bein the shape of ready money, and not in the way of advertising.—E. A. Snively,W. W. Lowis."The officers elected were: President, George W. Cyrus, Camp Point Journal; VicePresidents, M. F. Walsh, Harvard Herald; M. W. Goudy, Fairfield Press; C. E. Snively,Canton Register; Secretary, Joseph M. Page, Jersey ville Democrat; Treasurer, C. M.Tinney, Virginia Gazette; Executive Committee, L. A. McLean. Urbana Herald; C. D.Tufts, Centralia Democrat; W. L. Eaton, Rockford Register-Gazette.The matter of incorporating the Illinois Press Association was discussed and referredto the Executive committee.It was moved and carried that the Treasurer should give bond for $1500 to theExecutive committee.