Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-22
JUDGE EWIDNEY'S GUESTS.
A PLEASANT ATTENTION PAID TO
THE REPORTERS.
They We're Entertained Last Evening at
a Banquet-The Judge Expresses Some
Complimentary Opinions on the Graft.

The first time that the news-gatherers
of the daily papers of this city ever re-
ceived an attention, behind which did
not lurk some interested intention, was
last evening when they were the guests
of Judge R. M. Widney, at a banquet at
the Westminster hotel. Before the re-
past was served, the Judge made the
following little address, which explains
the motives which caused the affair.
"It is usual to make after-dinner
speeches, but in this instance l thought
it would be proper to give you the best
of the feast last, and therefore make my
speech first.
Mrs. Widney and l have been the
recipients of so many courtesies and of
so many delicate attentions from the
reporters OF our city papers in the various
works in which we have been engaged
the flower festival, chrysanthemum fair,
home for young ladies, and other social
and benevolent enterprises-thatw we
have for long time desired to express
our appreciation of the many kindnesses
by something more than words of thanks.
Before going east Mrs. Widney had
planned to entertain you at her home,
but you well know how overcrowded she
was with various duties, and this pleas
nre was not possible.
81 take this occasion, more on her be-
half than mine, to thank you for your
more than kind and liberal cooperation
in the work of the past.
81 look upon the work of the reporters
throughout the nation as one of the
most important factors in our civiliza-
ton.
''ren thousand eager minds in weary
bodies pursuing the slightest clues,
chasing down the latest facts, unearth-
ing the concealed and correctly placing
before the world the occurrences of the
feeting hours.
"What would we do without these
facts? The financial, business, social
and political movements are based up
on the facts you report from day to day.
An incorrect, an incomplete reporting
of a single day would cause the loss of
millions. And if the public lost conf
dence in the reliability of your reports,
we would not dare to make another
move.
"Your profession is one OF the most
important and honorable, enabling us to
build up our industries, to develop our
resources, to protect ourselves from the
earliest indications OF lurking epidemic,
or social or financial dangers.
Reporters, as citizen OF Los An
geles. who appreciates your work to the
public and to himself, and to Mrs. Wild
ney, l thank you and tender you the
pleasures of this evening""
Nothing could be more perfect in its
appointments and material than the
feast which was then enjoyed
Mr.. R. j. Colver, of the Times, when
the coffee and walnuts appeared, re-
quested Col Shaw, of the Express, to
express the sentiments of the reporters
towards their host, which he did in a
most effective manner. AS the hour
was near when "the devil" calls for
copy" after few more informal re-
marks. the guests took their leave, Civ
ing three cheers for the Judge and Mrs.
Widney.
Those present were: Miss Nettie
Freeman. Edwin Bowles, w. G.. Taylor,
r. H. Farquhar, +. L.-Jones, h. J. Col
yer, Lester Osborne, Otheman Stevens,
Mr.. Todd, John H. Bennett, John Wood
ward, Frank Oakley, Col. H. &. Shaw
and w. q. Miller.
Mr.. George L. Arnold, cashier of the
University bank, assisted the Judge in
receiving the guests.