Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper I)iki< iory and History1884The nineteenth annual meeting of the Illinois Press Association was held in Busey'sHall at Urbana, January 30, 31, and February 1, 18 84. The assembly of about 70members, many of them accompanied by their wives, was called to order by the President,J. W. Clinton of the Polo Press. M. W. Mathews of the Urbana Herald gave anaddress of welcome in behalf of the citizens of Urbana. The Association accepted theinvitation of Dr. Peabody, Regent of the Illinois Industrial University," to visit thatinstitution.Looking at the Profession in 1884In his address President Clinton urged the earnest co-operation of all memberstoward making the Association a successful organization of serious purpose. Forecastingindirectly the possibility of a school of journalism he said:"Every other profession has its schools where its members are fitted for their duties.So important is this thought to be to protect the people and the members of theseprofessions, that the dentist, veterinary surgeon, druggist, doctor, lawyer, clergymanand teacher must each pass a successful examination, and each is thus protected by lawfrom an inpouring flood of ignorant ami inexperienced practitioners. But over the opengates to the journalistic paradise gleams an alluring ignis fatints flame which beckonsthe tramps, dead-beats and cranks of all trades and professions under the sun, andwelcomes them to a seat on the journalistic tripod where with brazen-faced impudencethey may laud themselves and throw mud at their superiors, malign integrity, sneer atvirtue, outrage decency, and murder the King's English just as long as they can commandsufficient money or credit to meet the weekly expenses of publishing their productions.Public sentiment, if not legal enactment, ought to guard the profession fromfurther demoralization; and this remedy must come largely through your own action.You can aid in creating a healthier public sentiment. While it is perhaps true thathitherto the advance in journalism has been due to the law of the survival of the fittest,it is also true that much survives and flourishes today which, to put it mildly, is a disgraceto the profession. No doubt all are conscious of this and are anxious that a changetake place. Perhaps you are here to learn or to aid some inexperienced brother; that isthe central idea of this organization as I understand it."The following papers were read: "Duty of the Press to Town and County," InJ. Dunlap of the Champaign Gazette; and the "Philistine in Journalism," b\ < 1H.Clapp of the Carrollton Patriot.Several amendments to the Constitution were adopted: that of E. A. Snively ofthe Carlinville Enquirer, which he had offered at the eighteenth meeting to the effectthat in Article IV, section 1, the second line be reworded after the word "Committee"to read that the Executive Committee consist of the 3 junior ex-Presidents unless oneor more of them be in some manner disqualified, in which case the vacancy be filled byelection; T. H. Stokes of the Lincoln Times proposed the amendment to the same articleto read after the word "ballot" in the second line so as to provide that a majority ofvotes cast should be necessary for election; the third amendment was also introducedby E. A. Snively to strike out all of By-Law 9 after the word "except" and add "theyshall participate in excursions only upon special invitation of the Executive Committee,and in no case shall the Secretary ask for any railroad passes for them to attend annualor special meetings: provided also that all Honorary members shall pay their annual dues.