The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1899-05-26
MISSISSIPPI PRESS ASSOCIATION.
A Member Describes Scenes and lncidc nts
OF the Trip Down the River.

DEAR Mr.. EDITOR: One more of the
delightful annual reunions of the Mis-
sissippi Press association is now num-
bered with the eternal past though in
the hast it is not forgotten, for many
a pleasant memory will remain till the
end of time.
Well, the fraternity met on the 10th
OF May in the battle-scarred, historic
Vicksburg filled with happy anticipa-
tions of coming events Our first gath
ering was in the spacious parlor of
Hotel Carroll where Mr.. ]. B. Duy,
the genial proprietor, rendered our
brief sojourn Us pleasant as fondest
hopes had desired. In an eloquent ad
dress by Hon. Murray F. Smith, We
We're made welcome and rendered the
freedom of the city. An appropriate
response by the kind hearted and ven
cradle Colonel j. l.. Power, the nestor
of the Mississippi press, followed. Next
was visit to the national cemetery,
where rests more than 10000 of those
who wore the blue in the dark days of
'63. Returning to the hotel we We're
rendered trolly ride around the city,
which was very much enjoyed by the
entire press After delightful toasts and
champagne punch, we partook hardly
of a sumptuous dinner, and ere the
meal was finished the bell OF the beau
tiful steamer Natchez announced the
hour of departure. Then there was
hurrying to and fro gathering up the
grips and bundles and off to the river
we sped. 'All aboard Yes, all
aboard, and the majestic steamer
swings gracefully into the current of
the father of waters Above the may
complications of sounds were heard
farewells and cheers, and with our
handkerchiefs we saluted in return.
She turned her prov to the fair Cres-
cent City and sped away like a
thing of life As we journeyed south
ward the business meetings were held
on board, all of which will be published
in due time.
We had hoped to visit beautiful
Natchez but arriving there at night we
disturbed not the sleeping city on the
hill. Our journey was enlivened by
many pleasant song and story The
honored guest of the occasion, exGov
ernor Parrott of Iowa, one of the oldest
journalists of the United States, having
been associated with the press for more
than forty years. He added largely to
the pleasure of the association by his
earnest conversation, logical remarks
and timely anecdotes A man of
broad intelligence and liberal views,
and with ALL a man of thought he adds
luster and credit to the National Press
association.
We arrived at Baton Rouge at p III.
Wednesday. All ashore. we were re-
ceived in the most hospitable manner
imaginable by the local press, city and
state officials. In fact, | fear we were
too well treated, for ere the delightful
address of welcome was ended there
was heard the familiar popping of
corks; it seemed to strike the rejecting
minds of the gentlemen especially, and
1iea in ,,,11.a p,,tl
asked them about it Twas their tnrn
to keep watch on the Natchez that
night long after the hour for retiring,
but I'VE" heard from our stateroom
in the dead hour of the night Cicero,
q Demosthenes, a Curran; but the gen
tlemen will tell you about it, There
was something said about snakes the
next day-ask the gentlemen, they will
tell you about it. don't know wheth-
er they found them on board or on
shore; but they will tell you aboutit.
We are still at baton Rouge, don't
forget that. The governor being abb
sent he was most worthily repre-
sented by Colonel I. Sambola Jones
who charmed and held entranced his
delighted hearers by a most eloquent
address of welcome. He scattered |
flowers at our feet. which are still fresh
in our memories Hon. H. NJ Quinn,
president of the Mississippi Press asso-
citation, responded to this address in
manner that caused the cheeks Of the
Mississippians to fush with pride. We
were escorted to the Louisiana State
University and witnessed the drill OF
the cadets III fnll uniform They ac-