The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-28
SOUND MONEY EDITORS
INDIANA REPUBLICAN HOLDERS OF
OPINION At ANNUAL DINNER.
Addresses by Governor Mount, Rep
resentative Overstrcet and others
"A List of the Guests.


pleasant affair There was an abundance
of good things to eat. and no set
speeches. The ladies were also there
and likewise the Governor the lieutenant
governor, the congressional representative
from the Seventh district and Louis Holt
man, Democrat. Lest some might think it
strange that Democrat should be found in
such good company, it should be stated that
Mr.. Hoffman was guest of honor by
reason of his being president of the Ma
tional Editorial Association. OF the mold
ers of sound public thought there were per-
haps seventy-hve from various parts of the
State, most of them young, energetic, cap
able looking men, though those with the
gray hair that marks the veteran in the pro-
fession were also there. 1t was an evening
in which shop talk was laid aside and the
cares of the profession discarded.
1t is useless to describe the menu, menus
being very much tho same the world over
They begin with blue points and end up
with coffee or cafe" as the confusing
menu cards have it. The cafe part of the
programme was reached last night at about
10 o'clock, and then began the oratory.
Sometimes this portion of the banquet is
tiresome and sometimes irnpromptu. Even
the POSTMASTER was impromptu. Last
night it was impromptu. j. A. Kemp,
the president of the association, was
unable to be present, and at the last mo-
ment. the honor of presiding fell upon Will
liam III. Elliott, of the New Castle Courier.
Mr. Elliott fulfilled the expectations of his
friends by relating several admirable
stories, one of which at least was apocry-
phal He said that he had heard this par
tcular story back in 1883, and had never
published it. but had sacredly preserved it
for this happy occasion. He then told
how Abraham Lincoln, when a school
boy, treated his chum, Jake, to ginger
cake. Abe it seems divided the
cake, which was a whole quarter section,
and was so taken with the voracity Of Jake
that he forgot to eat his portion. Then
dividing his own share, he gave another
piece to Jake, who duly consumed it with
the avidity as he did the first piece Abe
again divided and then again, and when
Jake had at last eaten the whole of the
cake, Abe says to Jake: Jake, do you like
ginger bread?' Says Jake to Abe: II don't
believe there is airy boy in this room who
likes ginger cake better, and / don't be-
lieve there is airy boy who gets so little
of it," Now" continued the postmaster,
II think it is strange that party of ed-
tors, and Republican editors at that, who
live the fat of the land, huge turnips,
big pumpkins and such things, should
come up here and feast. / can't believe
that you are like our friend Jake and be-
ing of the opinion that you are a little in
clined intellectually l will introduce Gov.
Mount who will give us some food for our
minds"
THE GOVERNOR. CALLED ON.
Governor Mount gracefully bowed to his
auditors and received much applause. He
began by saying that ne was just congrat
ulating himself that he was at a banquet
where there would be no speechmaking He
said that he had entertained some friends
at dinner before he came to the banquet
and thought he had therefore undergone
enough of an ordeal without being called
upon for a speech which he termed sheer
persecution. He said he had a profound
feeling for editors q peculiar veneration
like that entertained by the ancients for
the sacred oracles. And like these same
people of other ages he preferred to listen
rather than talk when in such exalted
presence. He then described the editor as
being q peculiar man. occupying a peculiar
position. The editor exercises great powers
and privileges. Men wake up to find them
selves famous on account of some editor
ial, while often, too, they find their careers
blighted by the adverse winds that blow
from the sanctum. The Governor described
his own experience, telling how in 1895 and
1896 the editors began to boom him for
Governor.
Il have found sometimes" continued the
Governor, that in talking to reporters and
what upon what I had to say. They
seemed to have a popularity along that
country editor who is struggling in a lit
tie town, but j have always noticed that,
though he is denied the luxury at times
of roast lamb or veal he always reserves
himself the right of roasting men to his
own satisfaction,
The Governor then said that the editor
INN font
way of shaping and holding public senti-
ment The locality, he said was what the
editor made it, and that he could always
tell how progressive and snterprising COM
munity was when he saw the character of
its papers. Much Of the progress of which
we are so proud said he, lis due to the
editors. The people in these days receive
their practical education from the press and
magazines, and the editor should never for
get the dignity of his exalted position.
Journalism has been improving year after
year and the editors are exercising their
powers with growing moderation. l am glad
to meet with you, and II there is one thing
that / like to do it is to rub up against
the editors for whom / have such pro-
found veneration."
the postmaster related a second story 10
his fellow banqueters. He said that 1T was
on such occasions as the present one that
people are compelled to notice the vacant
chairs and to realize that they are growing
old. These that will come after us he
said, will notice that our places are va
cant and will probably wonder where we
are at When | was younger and more dis
posed to investigate things, / once had an
old woman tell my fortune. She said that
/ was good man, obedient to my wife and
devoted to my family. and then she added.
being q theosOphist, that when / died my
soul would go into the body of a white
mule. Ever since then l have always given
particular notice to every white mule | saw,
and often | have noticed in their eyes a
peculiar beseeching. look as if they wished
to speak to me. And friends, when my
chair is vacant and you ever chance to meet
a white mule hope you will treat it kindly
Now we have one vacant chair here to-
night the soul of whose former occupant
has not gone into a white mule. | have re-
liable information. however, that he has
gone to a pretty bad place. We will now
hear from Mr.. Overstreet. who will tell us
of this place where our former friend, G. B.
Lands, has gone.
MR. OvERSTREET'S TOAST.
Mr. Overstreet began by remarking that
there were many present whose kicking
qualities made them well adapted for en-
tering the bodies of white mules Continu-
ing, he said he had great feeling of re-
spect for editors, feeling that approached
almost to fear. Whenever he was APP
preached by newspaper man, he said. he
always hesitated, for he felt that he could
not give advice, as ar editor usually has
that article n large quantities himself, nor
could he throw bouquets, for the editor
possessed high proficiency in that art him
self Neither could he offer any criticism
for similar reasons. 1t is an inspiration, he
said To consider how far-reaching the
power of journalism is. and he ascribed to
the editors of the State the increasing rep