The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-09-02

years ago, came nervy pioneers OF
the press; men who could handle
a rifle as we'll as composing stick,
and who in some instances trans
ported their entire plants, from the
sanctum paste-pot to the press
itself, on the back of a single mule.
It took sand and it took brains to
do these things, and sometimes it
took scalps. So, you see, our printer
forefathers, so to speak, had to
familiarize themselves with more
formidable weapons of destruction
than the proverbial stuffed club of
the present.
To them is due all honor and
glory. We are glad to see some of
them here on this occasion; they
are thrice welcome, old battle-scar-
red veterans of the quill. And we
are glad to see the new blood that
has enlisted and is eager for the
warfare of the present. What incen-
tives to action confront them now.
Almost at our very doors are
conditions which appeal in unmis-
taxable terms to the press of Idaho.
Furnaces from which the fires have
been drawn for an indefinite time !;
mines that have been abandoned to
wood rats, owls and delapidation ;
silent mills and empty houses.
Our citizens have contributed over
100000 to the construction OF
wagon roads. Large amounts Of
labor and capital have been ex.
pended in the development of our
mines, the erection of mills and
smelters and public buildings. And
our town has been bonded for the
payment of a considerable debt
payable in gold! We have labored
for 13 years to accomplish these
things, all the while with implicit
faith in our ultimate reward snC
our ability to pay.
But unfortunately, to-day, some
of those roads are abandoned ;
most of those mines are closed
down; all of those mills are silent
those furnaces cold. But our debt:
remain as though nothing had hap
pened, and they are still payable in
gold.
We have as rich, as numer
Gus and as extensive mineral de
posts as are known to the world
but owing to measures that are a
disgrace to this great nation, they
are suddenly as valueless as sc
many heap Of clay. These condi
tions prevail throughout the length
and breadth of this beautiful state
Although conditions in Idaho
might be worse, the situation Il
critical. We have no time to spene
in trihing. We all know what tn
cause is. We all know that sci
preservation is our first natura
right and duty. In such crises WI
expect a great deal Of the press. 4
great deal depends upon it. 1t
power and influence as a public ed
ucator is preeminent. The full ex
ercise of that power can only bt
accomplished by organization an(
unity ofpurpose. Its exercise TO
veal or woe is a great moral respon
sibility.
We trust that your deliberation
will be frought with good. We hop'
that you will be benefited by th'
brief diversion from your accus
toned tolls; by the opportunit.
for fraternal and general sociability
by the breath of fresh mountain
air; by the change of scene; pc
chance by an hour or two with roc
or gun before you go, and by tn
hospitality of this community.
We hope that when you return
to your respective duties it will b
/ with the consciousness that yol
have prepared the way to accom-
plish much good for yourselves ant
much good for Idaho. We hop
that the tripod in every sanctun
will be softer; that the pick ano
click of the compositor, and whul
and clank of the press room will
reyerberate with new life through
every print shopin Idaho.
Again we voice the sentiments
of this community by saying, "al
hail and welcome"
Sudden Death to Flies.
:Come inside a minute" said