Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-02-13

Union station From Biscaync bay south
, railway construction is out of the ques
tion, the Everglades being impossible.
1t is believed, however, that Mr.. Flagler'
next move will be the establishing of a
steamship system connecting his railway
with Nassau, Key West, and Havana
indeed substantial start in this direction
has already heen made by the chartering
OF the elegant steamship northumberland
to run regularly between Palm Beach.
Florida and the city Of Nassau on the
island Of New Providence, of the Bahama
group
Our party Were all settlcl in season for
a six o'clock dinner, after which. despite
the fatigues Of the journey, the most Of
chem attended reception, and concert
rendered US at the famous Ponce de Leon.
No hotel in the United States has prob
ably been better advertised than this and
certainly none r-ore thoroughly ruliils all
expectations. Its grounds have al the
beauty of a tropical park. The building it
self suggests, in its architectural beauty,
the regal splendOrs oil an Old Spanish
palace. No expenditure, however lavish
has been spared i'll rounding out the
beauties of its construction. and the rich
ness of its furnishings. II is structure
that bids fair to defy the march of time
as long and as successfully rs the most
ancient dwellings Of this ancient city
have done. " From turret to foundation
stone, there is no sham, no imitation
The building is constructed of genuine
terra Gotta, real Italian marble and
beautiful selections of Mexican onyx, and
is entirely fire proof. Nothing that
modern science has discovered, or modern
ingenuity invented, that can add any
conveniences to such a structure has been
omitted here. Its round tower, kneelng
balconies, and wide parapets suggest the
architecture of Southern Europe in the
Middle Ages. There is in its five grand
salons, a maze of oriental magnificence,
but it is always medieval in its suggcs-
ton. Its grand dining room, is not only
the most sumptuous, in it's finish and
appointments of any upon the Florida
coast, but 1t is doubtful if many can be
found in the world that surpass it. The
courteses extended to the members of the
National Editorial Association by the
management of this palatial house will
always be pleasantly remembered At
this reception we had the pleasure of
meeting Mr.. W. II. Gannett of Augusta,
who, with his accomplished wife. was
quartered at the beautiful San Marco
hotel overlooking the sea Mr.. and Mrs.
Gannett had intended to stop at the
Ponce de Leon, but had arrived in the city
before the opening of this famous house.
We had appreciated the extensiveness of
Comforts circulation more than ever
when we found it occupying the place of
honor in the leading Tampa periodical
store. The people have reason to feel
proud not only of the wonderful success
of this publication, but also of the man
whose strong business sagscity and ex
ecutive abilities have brought it about.
Wednesday forenoon, January %, was
occupied with the opening meeting of the
convention, at which eloquent addresses
of welcome were made by Mayor Henry
Gaillard, and Rev. j. n MacGonigle.
An address expressive of helsama cordial
hospitality was made by Mr.. c. b. Pen
dleton of Key West, and was followed by
an appropriate poem by W. Il. Pabor. of
Pabor lake. Then followed the regular
exercises of the convention ut which a
number of inter sting papers We're read
by prominent elitors bearing upon vari
Gus phases OF newspaper work.
The afternoon was go as you pic as -,
but on every hand the citizens had