The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-25

Have you ever heard of the Shawan-
gunk Mountains? II not, you will doubt
GREAT SUNDAY OR col, HEAD
less be very glad to learn that this is the
way they spell 'tShongum." The Shon-
gums lie between the highlands of the
Hudson and the Catskills. Viewing the
range from the quaint old town OF New
Paltz, founded by the Husuenots over
two hundred years ago. one peak at
tracts the eye, Rising gradually ana
gracefully on one side it cuiminates IN q
bold rocky summit and then drops sheer
for several hundred feet. TINS Is Sky
Top, and at its base. still hundreds OF
feet above the valley below, lies Lake
Nohonk, known to the Indians as Lake
OF the Sky" At the north end OF the
lake. wandering about among the rocks
in the most interesting fashion, is the
Lake Mohonk House, the home of the
Arbitration Conference. Within its por-
tails man has matched the original charm
Of its location The proprietor, the Hon.
Albert K. Smiley. has shown that it is
POSSIBLE for college professor to be a
good business man, and for q man with
ideals to KUN successful Summer hotel.
provided he also has ideas. The guests
Of the house have been called by witty
writer in the New York Herald. who
wrote under the caption. Where Do the
Good People Coz" Che was not writing
n theology. the fashionably regenerate,
the select OF the elect. the weather.
saints. the religious four hundred. This
IS true, but he might have added that
some of the four hundred probably re-
ceived their previous religious instruc-
ton in the amen corner of the Fifth
Avenue Hotel. and have not always
been among the regenerate. Liquor,
oancing, dogs, gambling, hunting. brass
bands, and yellow journals are not al
lowed on the premises A reporter for
the Boston Advertiser once said there
was no flirting at Nohonk. Being from
Boston, he naturally had NO apprecia-
tive basis by which to judge of flirting.
AS Seth Low says, the extreme Of the
law is the extreme Of injustice" Canute
has no rival at Mohonk.
THE MOUNTAIN LAUREL.
It is at this unique and peaceful sum-
mer resort that the Arbitration Confer
ence meets just at the time the mountain
laurel spreads its flag of truce upon the
hills. In 1883, Mr.. Smiley, who had been
appointed by President Hayes to the
Board OF Indian Commissioners, called
the first Mohonk Conference to consider
the welfare of the Indian. At these con-
ierenceS. politicians. college professors
and missionaries fresh from the field
meet and exchange ideas to the benefit
both of themselves and the Indian. The
conference, which is held each year in
October. has come to be recognized as
one Of the most important influences
working for the speedy abolition of the
reservation system and the bestowal Of
the rights and duties of citizenship upon
the Indian. Encouraged by .-.e success
of the Indian Conference. and feeling
that the time had come when something
practical could be done IN behalf Of in
ternationaf& arbitration Mr.: Smiley is
sued the Invitations for the 1rst Arbi-
tration Conference in 1895. Since then
e. met annually. In organization and
methods It resembles the Indian Con-
ference. Each years conference has a
separate existence: the members assem-
BILE as Mr.. Srniley's guests and are at
no expense during their stay. Sessions
are held in the mornings and evenings.
the afternoons being left free for recrea-
ton and social enjoyment. Mohonk
stands for a five-hour day for the re-
former. Philanthropy becomes pleasant.
PROMINENT PROMOTERS.
The membership Of the conference con-
sis.s of men and women of every party.
faith and profession. whose deeds are re-
corded on many a page of Who's Who
can only mention a few OF those who
have made the conference what 1t Is.
From the political side Of public life
have come Senator Edmunds (three times
chairman Of the co1ference). ex-Congress-
men William J. Cocmbs. Oscar Lapham.
and Congressman Gillert; the clergy have