The leader., 1904-06-01
MISSISSIPPI PRESS ASSOCIATION.
Its Annual Session at McCOmb and
Visit to the Worlds Fair.

Visit to the Worlds Fair.
The 39th annual session of the
Mississippi Press Association.
which convened at McComb City
on the 10th, was one that will be
long remembered by all who we're
privileged to attend and partici-
pate in its proceedings and the
attendant festivities. Between Is
and 100 papers of the State were
represented by bona fide members
of the profession; and among the
distinguished visitors present
were Gov. Vardaman, Congress
man John Sharp Williams, Chan
ceIlor R. B. Fulton, of the State
University and President ]. G..
Hardy, of the A. & M. College.
Besides able and instructive
addresses delivered by the above
named gentlemen, papers were
read on practical subjects by Mr..
F. r. BirdsaIl, of the Yazoo Sen
tinel, Mr.. j. E. Cunningham, of
the Newton Record and B. I.
Hobbs, of the Brookhaven Lead
er. An essay of rare literary
merit was read by Miss Katie
eastman, of the Vicksburg Post,
and humorous poem by Miss
Singleton Garrett, of the Cartha-
genian. The annual grafton, which
was full of eloquence and patriot
ism, was delivered by Mr.. Will
liams, of the Alderman Plaindeal-
er. The annual address of Pres.
R. B. May, of the McComb City
Enterprise was listened to with
interest and abounded in practical
suggestions for the good of the
association and the newspaper
profession. The speech of Con
gresham Williams on Monday
evening at the Opera House was
appIauded on all sides for its pro-
found philosophy and statesman
ship and his expressions of indy
ing devotion to true Democratic
principles.
AS has been the policy of the
association for several years, the
members declined to accept pri+
vate hospitality and were guests
at the McColgan Hotel, hence
forth famous throughout this COM
monwealth for its splendid SER
vice. While the citizens of Nc
Comb did not have the opportu-
nifty of entertaining the Press in
their homes and lavishing theirhos-
pitailty upon.. them Individually
which they gladly would have
done, they manifested their ap-
probation of the State Press and
their guests in every possible
way; and, from the time the mem
bers evolved from the trains and
received the personal, sunny well
come of Pies. May and the COM
mittee of citizens, to the hour of
departure, the reflection Of the
bright, cordial faces of all Nc
Comb sent beam of imperishabIe
sunshine through every heart.
The notable social function of
the occasion was the banquet at
the McColgan on Monday even
ing. Perhaps three hundred
guests we're seated at once about
the festal board, with it's beauti-
full floral decorations, elegant SER
vice and sumptuous menu. It was
a scene to be remembered, and a
note worthy incident to be made
historic in the annals of the Press
Association, and to the genial and
obliging McColgan Bros. 1t was
a brilliant card of advertisement
in every paper represented in the
banquet hall, with the cordial APP
probation of every pressman
behind it. At midnight the toast
master, Mr.. I. w. James, of
McComb, arose and with fitting
terms and beaming smiles touch
ed the electric button that started
wheels of eloquence and superb
oratory rarely heard within our
borders. The toasts were as fol-
lows: ''The Mississippi Press
Association" response by j. G.
Mcclure, the beloved and able
secretary; "McComb City, DR..
O. b. Quin, the popular and pro-
gressive mayor of the town;
Mississippi, 2 His ExceIlency,
Gov. Vardaman, who was in his
proper element on this occasion
and claimed every eye and ear in
the large assembly; and when he
stated that after he had served his
State the allotted time as Cover
nor he expected to return to his
first love, the newspaper profes-
sion, there was an added sparkle
and a warmer Fellowship in ALL
that followed pertaining to the
gifted speaker and the famous
Chief Executive of Mississippi.
He was later made an honorary
member of the association. Next
in order came Mississippi Leg
isiature Of 1904, y with response
by the genial, jolly Hon. w. B.
Nixon, one of its able members;
The troubles of fhe Editor BY
VIM. Ward who was absent ID
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