The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-29
Convention of Stenographers.
A WELCOME EXTENDED THEN BY GOV.
PATTIsoN.

l
Stenographic writers, both male and
female, from all parts of the world
gathered Thursday morning in the hail
of the house of representatives, in an
nual session. The attendance was
very large. larger than at any previous
gathering. Gov. Pattison welcomed
the delegates on behalf of Pennsylva.
MIA in the following language
Ladies and Gentlemen IL take Pc
culiar pleasure in welcoming you to
this state as the place of meeting for
discussion and consideration respecting
the interests of that art of which you
are practitioners and instructors. 1t is
my earnest wish that your stay here
may be pleasant and your deliberations
productive of good.
1t is a matter for public congratula-
ton that body like this should be
conyened representing the stenograph-
ers of the world. The art of steno-
graphy has added largely to the stock
OF human attainments. 1t is nearly
equivalent to the addition OF new
faculty TO man. Stenography has done
more tor human speech than printing
has done for human writing. There
were books before there was printing
That invention improved the means
for the multiplication of volumes. Stem
ography has rescued thought from OBJ
livion and given perlnanence to human
speech. 1t has gwen futurity for an
heritage to the operator---has divided
philosophys crown with eloquence and
has given to the flashes of the rostrum
an eqal perpetuity with the deliberations
of the closet.
Its effect upon the practical concerns
OF life is of no small moment. 1t has
liberated the intellect from dependence
upon a single hand to announce its will;
it has unshackled thought aud given
speech q running mate 1t is arms and
eyes to the mechanic, tongues to the
teacher and preacher, aud "the pen of
a ready writer" to the merchant and
banker. Both the public and private
life of man are alike indebted to
stenography. lit has increased the
comforts by multiplying the power of
the citizen it has been also prolific of
benefits to the state.
Its Importance to the political life of
a republican government cannot be
oyer-estimated. 1t is the doomsday-
book of the politician. 1t is the mem
ory of the people-tbe remorse of the
representative. 1t condemns the fool
out of his own mouth and strips the
mask from the demagogue. In delber-
ative bodies its effect has been rather
the reverse of what might have been
anticipated. 1t has promoted accuracy,
but has done so at the expense of time.
1t has conduced to thoroughness, but
as lamentably prolonged discussion.
On the whole, however, / should say
that popular governments largely the
gamer by stenography. 1t is not to
be supposed that your art has reached
its perfection doubtless it has not.
Your convention therefore is to be well
coined as a means towards that i'm.
provelnent which comes from the mu-
tual exchange of views by thoughtful,
earnest men, and by study and re-
search.
One further thought in conclusion
Stenography while an arbitrary system
is yet sufficiently expansive to admit of
the competition of talents. 1t is not
dead level where all reach in equal
height. Genius, industry, application,
these, as in all other sciences and pro-
LESSONS, so in stenography, will gain
for their possessors the foremost seats
and choicest rewards. 1t is therefore
an art worthy of the best diligence of
the best men.