The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-05-12
Louisiana Press Association.

SOou Aoituuc last Wtth W tttcuu tue
Eighth convention of the Louisiana
Press Association, which met in the
beautiful prairie city of OpelOusas. The
representatives of the press arrived in
that city on the seven o'clock train
Monday evening, the 30th ult.. and were
given by the people of St. Landry a
most royal welcome. Fully two thou
sand people were in waiting at the sta
tion, for the reception of the editors.
The OpelOusas brass band was on hand
and discOursed some of its choicest Sc
lections while the members of the press
were being attended to by the committee
of reception.
The editors were met on the train by
delegation of the committee of arrange
ment, and given magnificent badges up
on which were the following inscription,
IL. p. A. Opelousas. May lst 1885,"
and were also given cards introducing
them to the hospitable families who had
thrown open their doors to welcome
the members of the press and their
families.
The meetings Of the association COM
menced Tuesday morning in the large,
airy and beautifully decorated court
room of the stately Court House which
is seated i'm the center of a magnificent
square, among large trees clad in the
green garb Of nature which softly fan
ned the delightful breeze filled with
the perfumes of the sweet flowers of the
town of fair Opelousas.-The paradise of
Louisiana.
A large, intelligent and appreciative
audience assisted at all the interesting
meetings of the Association.
The address of welcome was delivered
by Hon. j. c. Mornhinveg, Mayor of
Opelousas, who. in few well chosen re-
marks, extended to the members of the
Press the freedom of the beautiful city.
He then introduced Hon. +. ID. Estilette
who delivered in more extended man.
ner, a welcome to the press in behalf of
the people of st. Landry.
Gen. Leon Jastremski, Of the Baton
Rouge Capitolian Advocate, and Presi-
dent of the Association. responded in a
most appropriate address.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. F. w.
Lewis of OpelOusas.
Mr.. j. B. Wilkinson, Jr., of the City
Item, delivered an able address upon
The Relation of the Press to Immigra-
tiOn."
Mrs. Ella Bently, of the DOnalsonville
Chief and one of the Vice-Presidents.
contributed a humorous agreeable essay
upon the Evolution of the Office Towel
which was delivered by her husband, Mr..
E. L. Bently, in most effective man
ncr.
Col. George Moorman, of the South
Illustrated, New Orleans, followed with
an able and appreciated address.
Mrs. Martha r. Field, (Catharine Cole)
of the New Orleans Picayune, who has
won an envious and honorable reputa-
ton by her spicy and charming letters
to that great daily, delivered an essay
upon the labors and trials Of a country
editor.
Mrs. Julia Rule, of the Shreveport
Times, followed and delivered an elo-
quent and charming address," The Wo-
men of the Press.
MIR. J. Y. Gilmore, of the Sugar Bowl,
read an essay upon 1.-The Business De-
partments of the Newspaper"
Mr.. j. Gentil, of the Pioneer of AS
sumption who is known far and wide by
bis many interesting writings, delivered
an address in french, "La Presse."
Mr.. Al. Lafargue, of the Marksville
Bulletin, delivered an address upon 1.-The
Press and the State"
| Miss Addie McGrath, of the BatOr
Rouge Truth, and our charming Secreta-
ry, read and interesting original poem
entitled ''The Editors Inferno" This
concluded the programme. and the As
sociation then transacted some busines:
and reelected all the officers for the en-
suing year.
On the evening of Wednesday, grant
reception was rendered :he members O
the press by the Opelousas Social Club
at their hall which was beautifully deco
rated with bright and sweet scented flow
ers by the delicate fingers OF the fair ant
beautiful ladies of Opelousas.
| The "Welcome Address" written by