Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-10-02
we.t yirgl.Ia Press Associa-

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Charleston last week, being opened on
Tuesday evening at the City Hall with
an addres, of welcome by Mayor Hull
ing, who in brief but agreeable speech
proffered the hospitality of the city to
the visitors. When the mayor had con-
cluded Governor Wilson was introduced
and made most interesting address.
The Governor paid glowing tribute to
the members of the Association, acknowl-
edging that the members thereof were
the educators of the people, and that the
press Of the United States was free
and untrammelled one. No government
censorship dictates what shall be pub
lished, but every one has the right to
express his thoughts, as dictated by his
conscience. The subject Of the vast re-
sources of our State occupied large
portion of the Governors thoughts, he
claiming that our forests contain more
hard woods than can be found in all the
other States in the Union combined. He
qualified this assertion by presenting
data, clearly showing that he was not
INDUCING in idle speculation, but that
West Virginia was one vast forest of
valuable timber. The mineral wealth
Of the State was also alluded to by the
Governor and statistics produced, which
demonstrated that within our boundary
is more mineral wealth than can be found
in the same area in any other quarter OF
the globe. "But," said the Governor,
show is West Virginia to be benefited
by this great wealth of timber and min
erals? The only way is to build lateral
railroads and connect them with the
Chesapeake and Ohio or the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad; then and not until
then will the wealth Of our forests and
mines be brought into practica! use."
The subject of West Virginia offering
suitable homes for foreigners was also
introduced by the Governor, and he
deemed it strange that no inducements
whatever are being offered by any one to
persuade immigration to our State. lie
claimed that as good land for grazing or
farming purposes and as cheap could be
found here as in any other State or ter
ritory of the Union. He also deprecia-
ted the attempts of the railroads to in
duce our people to abandon their homes
in West Virginia and seek lands in the
far West. In this connection, the Gov
ernor said that the trunk railroads
would carry an emigrant from New
York to the West for cheaper rate than
demanded to any point in our State.
The remarks Of the Governor were lis
tened to with marked attention and clio
tied general applause.
AT the conclusion Of the Governors
remarks short speeches were made by
several members of the Association, af-
ter which the President called the meet
ing to order and proceeded to business.
On Tuesday morning the Association
re-assembled, and President White made
an address in which he set forth plainly
and emphatically what he thought to be
the object and the rights of the Associa-
ton. His remarks were vigorously APP
plauded. New members were taken in
and new constitution reported by
committee. On motion of w. M. o.
Dawson it was unanimously resolved,
"That the President is hereby instructed
to enter into correspondence with the
chief officer Of each other State Press
Association for the purpose of having
call made by rs many such officers as
possible for meeting to organize Ma
tioual Association and that the officers
of this association are hereby elected as
delegates to such meeting and any other
members of this association is hereby
authorized to act as delegate therein"
After the transaction Of other business
the morning session adjourned.
At the opening of the afternoon ses-
sion the President introduced Mrs. j. o.
Thompson, President of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, who made
a short address. She was followed by
Mr.. Frank Woods, who delivered brief
speech OH Srnday-school work.
The election of officers was then pro-
ceeded with, and resulted as follows:
President, John II. Holt, Of the Grafton
Standard; Vice-President, NJ. w. Dom
nelly, Charleston Gazette; Recording
Secretary, o. c. Smith, Jackson Bugle;
Corresponding Secretary, George Basta-
BILE, Clarksburg Neps; Treasurer. VIM.
NJ. o. Dawson, Preston Journal; Orator,
j. o. Thompson, Keyser Echo; Poet, A.
+. Gibbons, Charleston.
The Association decided to hold its
next annual meeting in Wheeling, on
the last Tuesday in August. A new
and excellent constitution for the guild
ance of the Association was adopted,
and the following resolutions were
unanimously agreed to:
Resolved, That this Association ten
ders its thanks and acknowledges its
gratitude to III. w. Fuller, General Pas
senger Agent of the G. 81 o. Railway,
for the kindness he has shown us, and
for his liberality in furnishing free
transportation from Ashland, KY, to
the sea shore and return, and for other
attentions shown us in many ways.
Resolved, That we feel grateful to
our old time friend, and the true friend
of our State Press, C. X. Lord, G. P.
A, of the B. & o. r. R., for his usual
liberality in granting us free transport
tation over his lines.
Resolved, That the following gentle