Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-01

tens OF thousands, IS those who d.
edit them. The statement OF tn,
capability OF my brethren, is but thu
truth. | make this declaration, found
ing il upon an acquaintance OF ten year.
with the members OF the press, in Wes
Virginia.
THE WEST VIRGINIA PRESS.
Inow come to:the problem that is to
and OF right. ought to, engross our at
tention as an editorial association. II is
too true that the people OF West Nir'
ginia are not a reading people to the ex-
tent they ought to be. 1t is lamenta-
| bic TACT that the press OF this
State IS not properly supported. We
are educators, claiming TO be leaders IN
| the path OF progress; vet ii having been
| ordained as a universal law that man
must earn his bread by the sweat OF his
face, while we are endesvoring TO per-
| form our mission, We must provide our.
selves with a means 10 sustain existence.
So we inquire, how can we best ac-
complish our aim, and at the same time
10 what support are We entitled? what
! is our duty to ourselves, and the duty OF
the State and the people to us? These
are questions that must be answered.
Along with this we ask, how will We
educate our citizens TO standard that
they will appreciate and sustain the
labor of the Press? Somewhere in the
world there is said to be an island that
is always abloom with flowers. Go,
there, and walk in its paths,
and, inhalng the fragrance of the bios
SONS, the inhabitants will tall you il is
not the season Of flowers. You will be-
hold flowers upon your right, and flow
ers upon your left, and yet the people
will tell you il is not the season OF flow
ers. Newspapers are abundant in
West Virginia. So far as life and worth
are concerned, there are papers in West
Virginia. Yet our people say by their
actions that this is not the State for
them.
The laborer is worthy OF his hire. We
are not beggars but laborers. lay it
down as the truth that We are entitled
TO our maintenance. The wife and chill
dren of the man OF literature are as dear
to him as the dependent ones of any
other class OF men are 10 them. The
bone of our bone and flesh OF our flesh,
have as good right TO heritage upon
the earth. We do not beg our due, but
demand it. By the laws OF eternal truth,
by the principles of everlasting right,
we are entitled to it.
But, if possible, there is a
stronger argument, greater
reason, why the Press should be
nobly supported. In this effort have
endeavored to prove the benefit OF high
er attainments in knowledge. | have
demonstrated the profit of literature,
and have tried to show the necessity
of the newspaper to the people as a
means of education. One great under
lying principle has run through all |
have SAID. And now, | ask, what shall
the answer be? Will the people OF
West Virginia enroll themselves on
the side OF progress, or shall
they lit up their voices and
demand that the light shonld be blotted
out for them. This is land Of which
we boast We point with pride to our
institutions. They are worthy OF adj
miration. A republic depends upon
the intelligence of its people. Inter
woven with the foundation OF our lib
critics are the great principles OF educa-
ton. Peculiarly is it true that the peo-
pie of a republic must educate them
selves. Our progress in this particular
must keep pace with our growth as
nation. Wisely has it been
said that we must educate or We must
perish. The people owe to themselves
duty that is above price in money, and
with them lies the verdict. 1t is for
them to lift up their voices and answer,
when they are called upon in this direc-
ton.
What shall the answer be in West
Virginia? She is young in the sister
hood of States. Behold the nation was
in trouble and gave her birth. Sixteen
years have marked her advance. Al
ready a generation OF young and
willing souls are stepping in to take
their places as citizens. They are the
children of the public school. Shall we
appeal to them in vain to justly COM
prehend this question? Hands that
would destroy are upon the lever of the
printing press, and are endeavorng to
wrench it from the faithful grasp that,
through all discourgements, has held 1t
and worked it. Shall the faithful hands
still labor? Shall the answer be favor OF
the attainment towards immortal eternal
truths?
Shall our steps be backwards,
toward that ignorance which is barbar
ism? West Nirginia's sister States are
looking upon her Will she stand shout
der to shoulder with the foremost in
the march of progress? What shall
the answer be? The boy is growing
into man. Presently our children
will take places in the rank of these who
rule the country Shall they come
with the garlands OF knowledge on their
heads? What shall the answer be?
The direct response to this question
should be the enactment OF suitable laws
in this State that will insure the proper
support of the press. This is the duty
OF the Legislature, not only to the
newspapers, but to the people as well,
all thinking men must admit the neces-
sty OF having a press; then it follows
logically that that press should be prop
erly supported. Therefore il is
right that many things concerning
which there is now no law requiring
publication connected with the bust
ness of our courts and of our financial
transactions as counties and districts
should be inserted in our papers as adj
vertisements, to be paid for at reasOna-
BILE, not extravagant, prices. II this
answer be made TO the problem / have
presented, West Virginia will be bene-
fitted, and her people enabled to pro-
gress in the path OF education and civil
liZation.
At the close Of the address, a round
OF hearty applause showed the apprecia-
ton of the association for the address,
and a motion to return vote Of thanks
to the speaker prevailed unanimously.
Mr.. G.. G. Johnson was introduced "a
the poet OF the meeting, and read brief
poem, after which Mr.. Scofield moved
that the poem and address both be print
ed in the proceedings OF the session,
which motion was adopted.
An invitation was received from Mr..
Grubb and accepted, to the effect that
Parsons, the photographer, desired the
member to assemble in body in front
OF his gallery at noon on Wednesday, for
the purpose OF having their portraits
taken in a group, portrait TO be pre-
scented TO each member. Mr.. Hart