The Russellville Democrat., 1879-06-12
THE PRESS CONVENTION.

He HceLiUg was HarmOnlOuS and pleasant reunion of the inky knights of the quill and scissors.
 Some seventy or seventy five were in attendance, and while there was a general regret that the members should have to forego partaking of the proffered hospitality of the city of Pine Bluff, the place first selected for the meeting, no one could help but feel that the disappointment was fully compensated by the whole souled hospitality, and noble gener- osity with which the good people of Little Rock received us and ex- erted themselves to entertain and honor us.
 On Monday night q grand re. union was rendered the visitors at Alexander Park. Perhaps the larg est and most select gathering of Lit tie Rocks beauty and chivalry which has ever assembled on any occasion was there to greet and to welcome the newspaper makers. The welcome address by Judge Thomas Fletcher, the response by Dr. M. M. McGnire and the Annual address by President sNcwman, were delivered then and there. They were all well timed, well-put together and excel lent addresses.
 Afterward, music and the tripping of the light fantastic toe, held large number at the hall until the wee sma' hours came gamboling along in tip-top glee.
 Thursday morning was devoted to the regular routine of business. At Eleven o'clock the pubic schools were vislttd. We were most favora- ply impressed with the discipline and efficiency which was plainly manifest throughout every depart ment. Supt. Fish, with his corps of teachers are certainly doing a good work for Little Rock.
 At three o'clock the addresses of Col. r. Donan, the orator of the As sociation, and Rev. A. R. Winfield, were delivered at the Hall of Repre- sentatives to large and largely delighted audience. The addresses were just such flights of oratory and spontaneous outbursts of wit, good sense, sober thought, and sound req sonlng as P. Donau and Dr. Winfield alone are capable of getting of.
 After these addresses the quill. drivers availed themselves of an in- vitation from Col. Feb Ward to in- pect the State Penetentiary. Re pairing first to the ColonePs hand some, and hardly ever equalled hos pitable mansion, a most pleasureable hour was spent in his beautiful lawns, gorgeous parlors, and at his generous board. And thence to the penetentiary; and this being our first peep inside the walls of that institution, we were most agreeab1y surprised. We had picture of the institution drawn upon our minds eye by the frequent accounts which we had seen of it. It was not a pleasant picture. But when we got inside those walls and inspected for ourselves-saw the cleanly, neat halls, the neat white washed cells, the well lighted and completely ven tilated buildings, and the wholesome bread, and cooking arrangements;- when we had seen the institution as it really is, we came to the conclu- sion that Feb Ward knows about as we'll as the next man how a peneten- tiary should be run.
 The other pubic institutions of the city-thc blind asylum, the institution for the deaf mutes, St. Johns college, and the Ladies' be- nevolent hospital, were visited and found in a healthful condition.
 The association elected officers for the ensuing year as follows:
 Adam Clark, President; #
 M. M. McGuire, Vice President;
 w. A. Webber. Secretary;
 J. E. Battenfeld, Treasurer;
 r. Donan, Orator;
 James Torrans, Poet.
 Batesuille was chosen as the place for the next meeting of the Press Assoclation.
 We found Little Rock prospering, and improving with rapidity truly gratifying. The new Quapaw Cot ton Mills are being pushed to com pletion, and will be in operation on