Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-06-08
THE EDITORS AT ELKINS.

the Kingwood Argus, the president OF
the association, and the people OF Ell
kins the editors are indebted for
very bright spot in the not always
happy life of country journalist.
The ASSOCIATION convened Wednes-
day afternoon in Posten's Opera
House, a very excellent hall in the
central part of the town. A greeting
was extended by Mayor Bent, and
was properly responded to by the
President. Wednesday night the
hall was filled with the visiting edi-
tors and their families and the people
of Elkins. The address Of welcome
was delivered by Senator Stephen B:
Elkins, who had very well prepared
and happily delivered speech. Mr.,
Elkins gave the editors hearty well
come, and said that it was the first
chance he had ever had to talk back
at them. He didn't attempt to mt
back, however, except by heaping
Goals of fire upon the heads of those
who had occasionally made 1t warm
for him. His speech was upon the
many duties, responsibilities and op-
portunities of the press, and the re-
lations of newspapers to the people,
to the government and to the great
issues of life. Senator Elkins took
advanced views upon the subject of
telepathy, the real communion Of soul
to soul. He spoke Of man as a mag
azine of unknown forces and undevel-
oped powers that can only be found
out and summoned into activity by
subduing the flesh and cultivating the
spirit. He advised his hearers to
seek truth, light, power and strength
from the spirit within, and not from
without-to strive for spiritual things
as the finer element that will serve
man best. The Senator's address
was one well worth bordering over.
The response on behalf Of the associa-
ton was made by Hon. Stuart F.
Reed, of the Clarksburg Telegram.
Mr.. George Alfred Townsend, the
author and newspaper writer whose
pen name of "Gath" has made him ia
nous not only in this country but on
the other side of the sea as well, had
an address on newspapers and Let
tiers, theme which he handled in
entertaining style. He gave some
solid food for thought to his fellow
scribes. Responsibility of the Rural
Press in the Dissemination Of Correct
Fundamental Principles, was the sub
iect of an excellent paper by Judge
Daniel B. Lucas, of Charlestown. The
Judge held that the old principles Of
the fathers are good even in these days
of new things, and urged the editors
to remain firm in the faith and pro-
mulgate the eternal truths that can
never change. At the close of the
meeting a ball was held, and those of
the newspaper men who tripped the
light fantastic toe enjoyed themselves
until the wee sma hours.
Thursday was devoted to routine
business and papers read by various
members of the association. An ex-
cursion was taken from Elkins to Hut
louisville, the terminus Of the West
Virginia Central Railway, through the
Tygart's Valley, a lovely valley from
one to three miles wide The train
passed through Beverly, where the
people are resting on their arms and
sitting on the county records. Thurs
day afternoon an address was deliv-
cred by Hon. Charles Emory Smith,
Postmaster General of the United
States and formerly publisher of the
Philadelphia Press, He spoke seri-
ously and helpfully Of the power of
the press and its responsibilities. His
speech was fine one. Hon. Thomas
W. Cridler, Assistant Secretary of
State, and Mr.. Rouser, Of the New
York Herald, who were present, spoke
briefly.
One feature of interest was the ex-
cellent music furnished during the
sessions. There were songs by a quar-
tette of male voices, piano solos, and
delightful selections by an orchestra
from Davis.
Thursday night was devoted to
social pleasures. Ex-senator Henry
G. Davis and Senator Stephen B. Elk
ms threw open their homes to the
editors. "Graceland," the home of
the former, and "Halliehurst, the
residence of the latter, are two splendid
palaces quite near each other on a
beautiful hill overlooking the town
and the valley beyond. Nature has
done much, for they are beautiful
for situation, but the hand Of the ar
chitect and the builder has appreciated
the opportunity and prepared homes
worthy of natures setting, At Mr..
Davis's the editors were received with
gracious hospitality by the Senator
and his wife, their charming daugh-
ter, Mrs.Lee, Mr.. and Mrs. John Davis,
their son and daughter-in-law, and Mr.
and Mrs. Warfeld, whose talent in
entertaining was not hidden under
bushel. An hour was most delight
fully spent here in pleasure social in
tercourse and in enjoying the beauties
of Gracelaud and its art treasures.
A delicious lunch was served.
The reception rendered the editors
by Senator and Mrs. Elkins at Hal
hehurst" was one of those delightful
events that may not be described, but
which will always remain pleasant
recollection to those who participated
/