The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-21
CributeS of
 SereWS'$ Staff

Twenty years ago last month I began my connection with The Advertiser and with Maj. Screws During this pe- riod I have always found him devoted to the highest ideals In the conduct of this paper, and ready to demonstrate his devotion to principle at any cost. The welfare of the State of Alabama and the success of the Democratic party have always been his first considera- tions. His memory of men and things Is amazing and his Judgment as to pol itics has been remarkably accurate And combined with his courage, his knowledge and his wisdom Is another marked characteristic. His sweetness of nature. constantly showing itself in the broadest charity for all and the sunniest amia bility in his personal re- lations with individuals. have never know a nobler or more lovable man.
 F. P. Glass.
 The honor too Is ours that our chief is so honored by the press of the State, and the press of the nation. This vet eran of the pen, W. w. Screws. is first and above all. ours" and the pride of proprietorship feel in him, is only equalled by that of the ebony-hued gentleman of the old school who points to his marster and says
 Hes my white-folks.'
 He Is our editor, and the spirit as well as letter of the loving cup goes with 1t from those who work together for The Advertiser in this his 10th year at the helm His brain marks the course of the old ship: his heart smoothes the passage, and his nerve guides the pilot wheel. His master brain is never out of order; his nerves are always equal to the demand of any occasion. But the heart. Oh that heart is very troublesome. It must be en- largement or is it softening?
 No softening of the brain; no prostra- tion of the nerves, threaten, but a com bination of softening and enlarging of that great heart of his Is the peril ahead.
 That heart is big enough to be glad at the joys of others, and soft enough to ache in sympathy with the trials of his fellow beings.
 Nina de Cottes.
 Upwards of nine months ago 1t was my pleasure to meet Major Screws. As the editor of the oldest daily newspaper In Alabama. he had been pointed out to me before. But this was not know ing the man. Him l met when joined the stan last year.
 have admired with others his great good nature do not mean by this that myself and others pool our admi- ration. The kind nature of Major Screws is real and appeals to all sepa- rately. Another accomplishment of The Advertiser editor which all Ala bamians of similar age always envied is his remarkable memory of men and events. He Is a walking history of the State since the war.
 Charles L. Harold. have never known a more lovable man than Major Screws. In my opinion he Is the ideal editor and to be under his leadership In newspaper work is more of a pleasure than of a working job. Always fair-almost too fair--and most considerate for them who are In any way connected with him in the newspaper crowd that Is printing to his credit the greatest Alabama newspaper His frown is as the smile of other men and his smile Is a benediction. Always ready to help in any predicament that troubles the mind of a young reporter. and never have I inquired facts of him that have not been answered at the tip of his tongue. He Is a walking encly- clopedia of Alabama history, in which he has taken no insignificant part and his general store of knowledge Is as wide as befits the editor of The Adver- tiser. We, In the shop, who are in closer confidence with him and know him best. love him better than those who know him casually. for the closer the intimacy with him, the stronger the admiration for his sterling qualities Is felt. Forty years he has striven to make The Advertiser the greatest news paper in Alabama, and in this he has most admirably succeeded, He has done more in making 1t a pride of the South. Gaston Troy MY hat thought otherwise than that Major Screws Is at the head of his profess sion In the State. and we are glad that the Alabama Press Association has risen to second the motion. Now, we are willing to go just step further and proclaim our honest conviction that If any editorial chair in the entire South Is occupied by a greater than he, that chair and its occupant have es- capped our scrutiny. ..-" Here, among the boys on the paper which his genius has made possible; where he is loved with a sincerity pos sibly not equalled under similar circum- stances anywhere among the newspa- pers of the country; and where any honor accorded him. any tribute paid, is received by each individual employe with deep sense of personal gratifica- tion, the news from Golden of Screws Day was received with heartfelt ac- claim.
 Major Screws, our hats are always off to you. They are so now. and we at home raise our voices to join In the swelling chorus of those who have de- clared you the greatest among them. Rufus Jones. l was born in Montgomery and I'm proud of the fact for many reasons. One of the most potent of these reasons is that I thereby became associated with Major William Wallace Screws. When l first opened my eyes I saw copy or The Advertiser, The first name l learn ed to say was mamma. One of the first was Major Screws" Like all young Montgomerians. I was taught to honor and revere this sterling type or Southern gentleman and newspaper man. Since that time I have had the privilege of knowing Major Screws ln- 1 timately and more good can be gained by that knowledge than by reading some chapters in the Bible. He Is ev- erything a man should be. according