The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-05
MODEST EDITORS
BLUSH At PRAISE
IIEAPED Upon Them
Notables of the State Speak at
the Banquet Given to News
paper Men at Murphy S New
Hotel
Climax of Day of Business and
Pleasure---Alexander For
ward Winner of First Prize
Offered for Essay on Vir-
ginias Upbuilding

After hearing graceful remarks from
a number Of uotables, presentation OF
PRICES to winners OF an essay contest.
and partaking of a bounteous repast
the Virginia Press association ADJOURN
ed at midnight last night
The banquet in the beautiful dining
room Of Murphy's new hotel was fit
ting climax 70 the two days of strenu-
Gus activity and the closing scene was
one hardly to no forgotten as Colonel
Murphy aud Mrs. Murphy hosts of the
occasion. sat at the head of the main
table. fanked hy Governor Mann, Gov
ernor- to-be stuart. Mayor Ainslle.
President Darlington. Of the chamber
of commerce; President Alvin smith.
Of tho business Mems club, President
Cooke. of the association and other
norables
Graeea by Women.
The hail was graced by many women.
some of them bembers of the associa-
ton; others wives and daughters OF
members. The situation was charms
ing. The guests sat IN groups under
the watchrul eyes Of r. ]. Cole and
Charles T.. Mccarthy, two OF Colonel
Murphy's associates In his SUCCESSFUL
struggle, while Professor kessnieh's
or chestra played sweet strains.
Leading newspaper men OF the state
~ ssald By
all the speakers, shaped public senfi-
ment and helped make the State what
it Is They represented every section
Of the state.
AS presiding officer and toastmaster.
President &. B. Cooke Of the Rich-
rnona Evening Journal, proved q conn
pletc success.
After the fine array OF food had been
devoured by the newspaper men and
several OF them had partaken of apolu-
naris water and coffee, Mr.. Coke rap
ped the meeting to order and intro
duced Mayor Ainslie, who had been
chosen chairman OF committee to
select three prize winners In a contest
on the subject THE Best Way to Build
Up the Commonw ealth,"
Twvaty-six Submitted.
Twcnty-sjx papers had been submits
tod. or this number those written by
Alexander Forward, of the Harrtson-
burg NewsR Record. first; G. Il, Camp
bell OF the Fincastle Herald, second.
and r. < Barrett. Of the Alexandria Ca
4ette. third. were selected as the win
ners The prizes were SIS. $50 and s25
in gold
Before announcing the names,
Mayor Ainslie referred pIeasingly to
the newspaper profession saying he
had heard that ii was a most remun-
erauye one, as well as one Of the great
Importance and value to any CONS
munity or State.
Il saw ia the paper the other day."
said the mayer, ''au account of the
death OF a newspaper man, who left
S200, 600 behind him al the early age
Of siXty-hve. This man started at the
age OF hdeen with fifty cents in his
pocket. After hard and strenuous La
Dor for fifty years, and through the
death Of an uncle who left him Sl9a.-s
coo he died wealthy. Such people
deserve the admiration the other peo-
pie in the world heap upon them
Later in the evening w. 3. Fitzhugh.
of the Eastern Shore. who was one Of
the organizers of tho association
twenty five Years ago, deplored tho
! fact that there were but six members
Of that organization now present.
Where They Are.
Most of them dead. stranded or in
the poorhouse," commented Mr.. Fitzs
hugh.
Both Ct these references to the poor
newspaper men brought forth much
merriment from the diamond bedeck
ed men al The tables who at that
stage Of the game were enjoying
hlgh-priced cigars.
After the mayor had finished his
short sp+eeh--an eulogy Of the news
Paper men. tnterating.ed VIA apprn-
priste stories. President Cooke called
upon the winners of The prizes 20
come forward. Mr.. Forward and Mr..
{ Barrett responded. Mr. Campbell was
not present The two successful es-
saTistS read their essays, while Mr..
I Cooke read that written by MIR. Camps
bell All three were applauded
Mir Forward suggested that the best
Way to bulid up the State would be to
establish a State board of trade. This
with better transportation facilities.
/ equalization, and a higher standard II
I citizenship. would. according 10 Mr..
/ Forwards idea help the State toward
/ the desired goal.
Mr.. t7amphelrs paper dwelt upon
wider education and the spread Of i'm
formation to the masses through the
/ press and through better and larger
schools.
Mr.. Barrett's paper advocated bet-
ter roads and transportation facilities.
1t Contended that better roads would
bring the country people more to-
/ gether and would elevate the social
standard, while giving the farmer
| larger markets for his produce, He
/ would have greater appropriations Tor
schools.
! Governor Mann Speaks.
Governor Mann was then called
upon to speak on THE Ladies' He
spoke for half an hour on the condt-
ton of the roads and the FARMS ana
the mountalns and seashore ~ the
! state. and told OF many things tho
State exeelled in. and then said the
state grew tho finest hay. alfalfa
corn, apples and peaches OF any
state in the country. and ne VA
1 proud OF 1t.
Next Governor Stuart said ne -
not been notiAed ~ any toria np4an