The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-11-08
WILLIAMS PAYS TRIBUTE TO
PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON
Senior Senator from Mississippi Speaks at Pros
perity Banquet of Travellers Association
Last Night.-Banquet Fine.
From Saturdays Daily

members OF the Oreeh"ooa iraFelerS
,ssociation, their wives and guests,
.horough5 enjoyed the prosperity
banquet gwen by that organization at
4. Confederate Memorial Building
..t night. 1t was without a doubt
,,o of the best ever given in the city
. Greenwood. A delightful program
and an elaborate menu made the even
iDg one long to be remembered. Sena-
| tor John Sharp Williams was one of
the speakers.
Sen. W. NJ. Wilmington, acting as
tosstmaster, presided with the ease
and grace usually displayed by him
mon such occasions. His remarks in
troductory to the speakers were en-
loved thoroughly by all present.
Senator John Sharp Williams, of
Yazoo City, responded to toast to
apresident Woodrow Wilson" 1t is
needless to say that this gifted son Of
Mississippi entertained his audience.
The gathering hung upon every word
uttered and several times when he
started to sit down, was urged to go
on from all over the banquet hall.
Senator Williams is master hand as
an after-dinner speaker.
The Senator was given an ovation
when he arose to deliver his address.
Repeatedly during his speech he was
Interrupted by applause. He eulogized
President Wilson, declaring him one
Of the few leaders America has ever
had in the White House.
Mr.. Alex. Fitzhugh, one of the best
business men of the lower Mississippi
section, was the first speaker upon the
program and with facts and figures
showed where cotton was the king
crop for this section Of the Delta
where long staple is so successfully
grown, and that the future Of Green
wood really depended upon the cotton
crop.
Mr.. Fitzhugh advised that the plan
ters of the Greenwood territory grow
their bread and meat first and devote
the rest of their time to the growing
Of cotton. His address was listened
to with rapt interest, the large audi
ere recognizing the great business
ability of the man speaking.
Mr.. J. R. Paine, of Memphis, with
the White Wilson-Drew Co., Of that
city, an expert on community biuld-
ing, and student of conditions that
effect the community, was one of the
speakers and received the applause of
The audience. Hiss address was con-
fined to concrete remarks. His ability
as speaker was soon discovered by
The audience. With powerful force,
and at the same time with personal
ease, he drove home the truths Of his
assertions and convinced all present
mat he was no amateur, no theorist,
but student of economic conditions
with ability to point out the bad plac-
es in the road ahead. Mr.. Paine is
enthusiastic upon the subject of COM
munity building and he showed the
travelling men and business men last
night what their part in the develop
nent of the community is.
Mr.. John ]. st. Claire, president of
the Mississippi Travellers Associa-
non, guest at the banquet last night,
was called upon for a speech and in
fespons. briefly outlined the purposes
"a the association and congratulated
seenwood upon having a Travellers
association, and suggested it would be
well fsr the other towns Of the state
TO follow suit.
Delightful vocal solos were rendered
by Mrs. c, E. Wright, Miss Edith Ce-
ell Rennie and Mr.. w. J. Sanford.
ofchestra music was furnished during
me llrst part of the program.
The banquet was served by the La
ales Aid Society Of the First Baptist
VhVrch, who handled the entire dinner
IN most pleasing manner.
Following is Senator Williams ad-
dress:
hon. John Sharp Williams, respond
ing to the Toast to the President Of
he United States; (Applause long
and continued.)
Mr. POSTMASTER, ladies and gentle
men; ! see that it is about five min
u'es after eleven o'clock. Therefore,
even if | had have contemplated sf-
uietlng you with a concourse tonight
viii forego it. l love Mississippians
TOO much.
lhere are some things that will &c
N'inout saying; the first is that it IS
great pleasure to be in your midst
because here, as elsewhere, see SC
many faces to my virtues more thar
n.ad and to my many faults blind
ne second is that the connection o.
vAes name with this subject is al
aohor within itself. The third is tha
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