Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-06-15
THE PRESS GANG.
PLEASANT MEETING OF JOUR-
NALlSTS OF THE STATE.

NAILS > Or The STRIE.
Not as Large rs Was Expected From
Obvious Causes-Those Who Came
/ Pleasantly EntertaiDed-ACO Cordial
Welcome Visit 10 the Capitol
/ Grounds and Tum Water-Annual
Election q. Officers The Clam
Bake, Etc.
Monday evening by the steamer
Mul,nomah delegation OF members
OF the Washington State Press Asso-
citation arrived, headed by the veteran
journalist, Chas. Prosch, whose genial
countenance and CHEEKY voice act as
the sunshine upon frost in dispel.ing
the "blue devils" which always hold
high carnival during dull times. Mr..
Prosch is public benefactor. Moth
! ing seems to disturb his equanimity.
He Is always the welcome guide, phi
losopher and friend" at the annual
meeting Of the Press Association, and
| to hold one without him would be as
tame an affair as to enact drama with
the leading part left out.
With this delegation came likewise
the President of the Association,
Homer NJ. Hill, a gentleman whose
social qualities and business worth
make him a welcome member of that
body. J. Hannum Jones, the gentle
man who introduced the resolution for
a State road convention at the session
@. the Press Association last Septem.
Der, which at the time was considered
Ivy some as altogether out OF place, but
resulted in a proclamation by the ex-
ecutive and splendid convention,
also came with this contingent. and
Mrs. Nellie M. Eldridge, editress OF the
Orting Oracle, published at Orting.
This lady enjoys the distinction of
getting up very readable and success
full paper, while her husband, F. E.
Eldridge, publishes another paper in a
distant part of the State.
The visitors were taken to the
Olympia Hotel, where an informal re.
ception was held, many OF our leading
citizens and Of Tumwater being pres
ent to welcome them. Tuesday morn
ing the convention was called to order
at 10 o'clock by the President, Mr..
Hill. The association were provided
chairs and tables On the commodious
I otooo 1oov;po Tho uvholo ouJ;to.;,,r,
for such visitors as choose to testify
their interest in the proceedings by
their presence. Long before the hour
had arrived for calling the convention
to order, quite a number OF our people
had availsd themselves Of the privilege,
and here the proverbial modesty of the
craft became apparent. The hour had
long passed for rap of the gavel, be.
fore the President assumed his seat,
while friend Jones, OF the Nooksack
Reporter, was urging upon him the
propriety Of changing the place of as
sembly to the gentleman's parlor to
escape the eyes of the audience.
President Hill, being a resolute
man. peremptorily ruled the sugges-
ton out OF order, and the session
opened with an overture by the Or
chestra, and q beautiful solo by Mrs.
C. L. Diven. Mayor Mann then made
the address of welcome, and in a few
well.chosen words greeted each visitor,
in the name of the people, following
with glowing tribute to the power of
the press as protection of our liberties.
President Hills response was an eulogy
upon our city of which she may we'll
feel proud.
"When but q child in the village
school," said Homer NJ. Hill, used to
look at my map and note the classic
name of Olympia near the extreme
northwest corner of our country.
Washington Territory, Olympia,
ON Puget 9ound," WIS tho way wo re-
cited it. Reading OF the vast forests,
the fertile soil and the equable climate
of Washington, the enchanting scen.
cry and the placid waters of Puget
Sound, I become wild with enthusiasm,
even at that early day, and felt sure
that some time-I knew not how,
knew not when-I should live OH the
shores of Puget Sound. You have q
city here Of which you may we'll feel
proud. Olympia is not only the classic
but the historic city OF our state. The
early history of Washington is insep.
arably joined with that of her capital
which is also the cradle of her press.
The first newspaper of Washington,
appropriately named The Columbia,
was issued September 3. 1852, at Olym-
pis." According to Mr.. Prosch, our
historian, "on November II, 1860,
John Miller Murphy appeared on the
scene with the WASHINGTON STANDARD,
which has outlived all of its contem-
poraries, and is therefore the oldest
living newspaper in the Territory (now
Stste) of Washington"
"There is quiet charm, . beauty
and restfulness about your city that
causes your neighbor to linger longer
than he ought and completely cspti-
Yates the sojourner in your midst.
"On behalf of the association, your
honor the mayor and citizens of Olym-
pia, assure you that your cordial well
come and Astounding hospitality are
thoroughly appreciated and will be
long and pleasantly remembered by all
of our members present"
d Mr.. Hills annual address followed,
in which he congratulated the associ-
alton on its growth of membership
and ministerial helpfulness. He held
that the craft was entitled to much
consideration from the public. No
profession does more earnest and de-
} cisive work without compensation
than the conductors of newspapers.
$50 long As We work without returns"
he declared, $50 long will we have to
do it. Few men appreciate what
costs them nothing" The necessity
for legislation to enable the publisher
to pursue an independent and consci-
entious course, or rather an amend
ment Of the libel law, which entails
costs even If suits are not sustained,
was impressed upon the committee on
legislation. He denounced sensation
alism in news gathering, and the as
sault of private character in the edi-
torial columns. 1.-THE newspaper, )"
he affirmed, conscientiously and
honorably conducted, is the grandest
enterprise of modern times. The
press of our State is fast surging to the
front as an educational power and the
time is not far distant when the press
> of Washington will compare favorably
with that of any of the older States"
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