West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-09-15
He D|DN' I SPEAK
And The Big Meeting Missed A Rare
Treat.
GOV. ATKINSON REFUSED ADMIs.
SION TO MUSIC HALL
Because He Was Late And Had No
Ticket.

Il
Cincinnati. Sept. 7-Goyernor George
Wesley Atkinson, OF West Virginia,
arrived In Cincinnati last evening to
Army Encampment
Governor Atkinson was down on the
programme for a speech at the big
camp fire in Music Hall last night. But
the Governor didn't speak. That is, he
made no remarks to the immense au-
dience which had gathered in the hall.
But he said few things at the main
entrance TO the hall. aud good many
more when he got in the West Virginia
headquarters at the Grand Hotel
The Governor couldn't get into the
hall. He wasn't veteran and he had
no ticket, and the doorkeeper didn't
care a continental IL he was a Governor
of a state or half dozen states.
The story OF the turning down" of
Governor, OF an honorsd guest. of an
expected speaker and OF an individual
who has a national reputation by n
person given little brief authority is
best told in Gov Atkinson own words
Because the .rain was late" said
Gov. Atkinson, speaking to his friends
in the West Virginia headquarters. II
didn't stop to get anything to eat after
| registered at the hotel. l hurried
over to Music Hall as fast rs my legs
would take me. for the reason that /
WAS down for speech aud didn't want
10 disappoint the committee or the nu-
dience. had tslegraphed to chair
man Melish that the train was late.
bnt that would arrive in time, but
there was no Que at the depot or the
hotel To meet rae.
''Of course I had no time TO hunt up
any one after / arrived, or in fact.
didn't deem il necessary. i thought
all ] had to do was TO go over to the
hall. aud TO get there as quickly as
could.
"Gentlemsn' have occasionally
been in positions where had to meet
officers lower in authority than my
self, and once In while / have OBJ
served disposition npcn the part of IA
subordinate TO exaggerate his impor-
tance. but never ran across man
quite the equal OF That doorkesper.
When I went up 20 the door, with
the Intention OF passing in, that door
keeper stepped me. expected that,
and explained to him that my name
was Atkinson. and that was one of
the speakers for the evening.
'Whers'a your ticket?' lie asked.
81 have no ticket / replied.
A" Are you veteran ? was his next
question.
No I am not, but II is only because
/ was too young TO go in the army. I
did lie about my age and enlist. but
my father pulled me out before could
don Uniform told him.
Well, IL you are not veteran you
can't get in here without ticket in
sisted the doorkeeper. 'You couldn't
get in here without ticket not for
a thousand dollars
bot, my dear sir 7 said. u haven't
got ticket, don't know where 70 ret
one, and hayen't time 70 get one even
IL knew where 70 get a.
You can get ticket easy enough
II you are entitled 70 one by going over
TO headquarters ~ Fourth and Race
streets, replied the doorkeepsr.
Then showed the man ny invita-
tion from Mr.. Melsh." Governor Atk.
inson continued. "but it was no 20.
The doorkeepsr said the invitation
might be all right, but that IL was no
| good without a ticket.
Then I went on a new track. 4
didn't want TO confess it before told
the doorkeeper, but am governor
OF state
The hi you are - was the reply.
Yes, ] am Governor Atkinson, Of
I West Virginia ! replied. and came
/ here primed Tor speech; In fact. ! am
chock-inil OF a speech, and want to
| get IL of
Well, you might be the Governor
of West Virginia or OF 10 states. but
you can't get in here without = ticket
he said, and / concluded he msant III
"Gentlemen, | didn't 20 into Music
Hall. That speech ] didn't make Is
weighing upon me. j was sick. any.
how, before ] started, and my exper.
fence tonight has not made rne anv
better. ! think I'll go home the frst
thing tomorrow.
OF course there was considera ble
sympathy EXPIRE ssed for the Governor.
and not little good natured chaTinsy