The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-10-20
Meeting Of the West Virginia
Press Association.

Meeting of the West Virginia
Press Association.
In accordance with pending pro-
gramme, the members of the Press
Association will assemble at Parkcrs-
burg ON the 23d inst, preparatory to
an. excursion through part of West
Virginia and some of the principal
eastern cities.
This is an event in which not only
the members of the Press are inter
ested, but of which the whole public
will take some notice and feel some
concern.
Whatever interests the members
of the Press interests the whole peo-
pie. They are more nearly identified
with the people than any other class.
They are the leaders Of public senti-
ment and have the public interests
more nearly in hand than any other
agency or association. Public ques-
tions, public measures, and public
affairs Of every character are their
special study and concern. In nearly
every county there are one or more
newspapers that become the educa-
tors of the people of the counties. 1t
is the newspaper that has become the
most potent teacher of the day. 1t
is the newspaper that is gathering
together from week to week the in !.
formation that relates to matters of
government, of business, of social and
religious interest, and distributing it
among the whole people, thus mould
ing our society into one homogeneous
matchmaking intelligent voters;
making competent legislators; max
ing stable government; making APP
preciative and patriotic citizens; max
ing business, thrift, enterprise and
progress. 1t is to the adult pepula-
tion what the common school is to
the children of the State. 1t is more
1t is the indispensable barrier be-
tween civilization and barbarism;
beating back the one and making the
other possible as well as progressive.
We could more easily do without any
other agent of civilization than with
out the newspaper. The great Amer
lean Republic could no more exist
without the newspaper than without
a constitution.
1t goes without saying, therefore,
that when these men who stand be-
hind the newspapers of the State;
who mould its opinions and have
virtual custody Of its highest inter-
ests-when they are moving together
even in matter of pleasure and rec
reation, the people will look on with
interest and give their movements
more than passing notice.
We regard it also as an event of
much value to the members them
selves. Scattered over the entire
State, with few opportunities to meet
each other, it is well that they shall
occasionally come together as one
body, exchange views, feel each 9TH
ers pulse, go out together upon tours
of observation, and thus become
more harmonious as a class, and bet
ter qualified intellectually and phys
ically to give themselves to their
work and make themselves felt in
their responsible positions. Society
and travel will broaden their views
and stimulate their ambition and en-
terprise in an important degree.
There are many other reasons why
the coming meeting should be full
meeting. There should be no absen-
tees except for insuperable reasons.
The inducements held out to the As
ISOLATION are probably in advance of
any other occasion in the past. It
promises to be a most enjoyable
event. The gentlemen who have had
charge Of the arrangements deserve
great credit for the programme in its
conception and all it's details. We
shall take it in and as one of the
chief inducements, hope to have the
pleasure of taking the hand of every
member of the Association without
regard to race, sex, or previons con-
dition.
Hon. William L. Wilson, Congress
man-elect from the Second District,
in answer to interrogations as to his
views upon the contest for speaker
ship. writes q letter from which we