The Editorial Trip

The annual couventiou of the Micliiguu Press Association was held at Benou Harbor. , July 9 and 10, in the very leart of the fruit growiüg section of Michigan, and the members with their wives and daughters were most cordally received and entertained by the jress clubs and hospitable citizens of 3enton Harbor and St. Joseph, Mr. F. R. Gilson, of the Daily Palladium, bemg particularly energetic in making the meeting a saccess. The hotel Ben;on being made headquarters for the association all the discussions and business meetings were held in its spacious corridors and parlors. In the evennig of July 9 a reception vrus teadered the visitors in the parlors of the Beuton by the Twin City Press Club and oitizens of the two cities. The rooms were draped with flags and decorarert with palms, and music was furnished by an orchestra stationed in a gallery. An address of welcorue was ,-lven by City Attorney V. M. Gore, who in the course of his rernarks greatly impressed the visitors with the importance of Beuton Harbor and St. Joseph as a shipping point. He stated that during the year the shipments had an aggregate value of $2,415,000 and the receipts amounted to $3,955,000 and that 1, 100 vessels had entered and cleared the port. Ron. Chase S. Osborn, of the Sault Ste. Marie News, vice president of the as8ooiation, responded to Mr. Gore's address of welcome. The speeches were f ollowed by a very enjoyable banquet. Soon after eight o'clock Wednesday morning the visitors were taken in carriagea by the citizens for a very delightful drive about the two cities and over the Boulevard at St. Joseph, which affords a fine view of Lake Michigan. An invitation to visit the finely equipped club room of the commercial club at St. Joseph was accepted. The rooms were very iuviting, well furnished and supplied with all the better class of publioations The drive was then continned past numerons fruit farms, which looked promising in spite of the drouth. The farms in the vioinity of Benton Harbor were seen to be dividcd into small holdings of from ten to thirtv acres, all well tilled and extremely valnable. In f act $6,000 is the price asked for a ten acre fruit farm for sale three miles from Benton Harbor and $8,000 for another of fifteen acres. The land is all ntilized and it is claimed that fruit raising is very profitable. ; Eastman mineral springs were next visited and the cool waters tested ; there are said to be twenty seven springs at this place, within a few rods, and it is claimed that no two springs afford the same analysis. On the return from the drive an informal reception was enjoyed at the pleasant home of Mr. Gilson, where cake and ices were served. After the return of our party to the Benton an exhibición by theflre department, of whieh Benton Harbor is justly proud, was given in front of the hotel. We were told that this was a volanteer department, but in the exhibition given it took the firemen only one inonent from the time the alarm was ;iven to reach a point three blocks dis;ant. Ainong the nnique features of Benton ïarbor is a six foot drive way excluively for bicycles on one of the uiain treets. It is higher than the sidewalk and separated frorn the wagon roadway by a ditch. The business meeting ot the associaion was held Wednesday afternoon at vvhich the following officers were jlected : President, Chase S. Osborn, Sault Sfc. Marie News; vice president, T. G. Stevenson, Marshall Statesman; secreary E. O. Dewey, Owosso Times ; treasarer, L. E. Slussar, Manselona Herald; bistorian, Byron Scherinerhora ; delectes to National Editorial ssociations, ?red Slocum, Caro Advertier; Ben Saker, Reed City Clarion ; L. E. Slussar, Mancelona Herald ; A. L. Bemis, Carson City Gazette; S. C. Rowlson, Sillsdale Standard. About four o'clock Wednesday afternoon the editoral party boarded the electric cars for St. Joseph, where not without a feeling of regret, they took leave of the twin cities where they had heen so hospitably entertained. The little steamer City of Louisville was found ready to take them across Lake Michigan to Chicago, and the management of the boat succeeded in putting the party under obligations. After a very pleasant trip across the lake, during which supper was served on the boat, Chicago was reached about ten o'clock and the party quickly conveyed across to the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul station, several miles distantjust in time for the train. Mr. Harry Mercer, of Detroit, the genial Miohigan passenger agent of the road, accompanied the party from ChiContlnued Qn page 8. The Editorial Trip. (Contlüued on flrst page.) cago to St. Paul, and nothing was left iindone which could add to the comfort or pleasure of the excnrsionists. La Crosse, Wisconsin, was reached about 7 :30 Thursday niorning, where an elabórate and most tempting breakfast ■was served, inclnding young prairie chicken on toast - the best breakfast we ever ate. Af ter breakfast, while strolling along the platform at LaCrosse, some of us were snrprised to meet Mr. George Snow, state editor of the Detroit News, on his way to visit his parents at Winona, coming from a trip around the lakes, and he was equally surprised to meet the editors. Throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota everything was foundïfresh and green f roin frequent rains, and were told that crops were never better nor prospects brighter than this year. The atmosphere was cool and clear, the road smooth, the cars comfortable and everything delightful. All during the forenoon the route running along the Mississippi river with its grand scenery ever uhangmg and always beautiful. A reception committee from St. Paul met us at Newport and escorted us on our arrival in that city to the Windsor hotel. After luncheon at the Windsor, a meeting of the editors was held in the parlors of the hotel, and Mr. Harry Mercer was presented with a handsome silver flsh set in token of their appreciation of his kindly consideration in contributing so much to the oomfort of the travelers. The presentation speech was made by Mr. C. S. Osborn, and Mr. Mercer was so overeóme by surprise that he could flnd no words to express his thoughts. About two o'clock carriages were announced which were kindly f urnished by St. Paul citizens and we were taken for a long drive about the city, which is certainly one of the most beautiful places it has ever been our good fortune to visit. Built upon the bilis, affording many charming views, with its substantial business blocks, its many church spires and beautiful homes, its high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi valley.its charming parks and suburban lakes, St. Paul seemed to us an ideal city, a most desirable place in which to live. Como Park and Lake Como are as beautiful as a dream, nothing could be prettier. After visiting this charming park and Lake Como, we were taken in a chartered car over an electric road to see the famous Indian mounds, whioh are on top of very high hills and overlook the city and the Mississippi valley. The view from these hills is magnificent, in fact to our mind the grandest "wc saw on the trip. It seemed a great pity áíter viewing all these great works of nature aijd of art to stop to consider the wants of the inner man, but sach seemed to be the cas and we agaiü; boarded our car and weresoon transfer - red. back to the Windsor in time for' a seven o'clock dinner. In the eveuing a handsome reception and banquet wa's tendered us at the St. Paul Commercial club rooms which was much enjoyed. On the reception committee were Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Footner, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Folsoin, E. J. Horr, Mr. and Mrs. Franklyn W. Lee, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Paradis, Mrs. William Wallace, Dr. Sawyer, and C. P. Sitne, Presideat Footner welcomed the visitors on behalf of the club and city of St. Paul, and President-elect Osborn, of the Michigan Editorial association, responded.' Other congratulatory speeches were made; after these supper was servjèiï and the evening's entertainment closed' with dancing. On Friday morning at 9 :30 the Michigan scribes took an interurban car and arrived in Minneapolis about half past ten. We were met by a committee öt the Commercial and Press clubs of the city and escorted to Minnehaha Falls where a delightful morning was spent amidst the beauties of this picturesque place. At noon the entire party returned to the "Flour City" and were entertained at the rooms of the Commercial Club, where an'elaborate luncheon was served. A short bat very cordial address of welcome was made by Mayor Pratt. Soou after lunch we again boarded our chartered car and went out to Lake Harriet, about seventeen miles distant. Here we listened to an afternoon concert in the pavilion, and enjoyed the lake for about two hours. Our car carried us back to the Windsor in St. Paul in time for dinner at seven o'clock. In the evening the party was entertained at the theatres. To say that our Michiagn party was greatly impressed by the beauties and wonders of Minneapolis and her sister metropolis, St. Paul, is to say very little. Many of our party had visited them before, but all were equally delighted with these twin cities at the head waters of the Mississippi, and with the very hospitable and cordial reception accorded us. These cities are connected by an inter-urban electric road. It is said that there are 225 miles of electric street railway in the two cities and the entire line is under one management, and for flve cents one may take a car and ride for miles and miles. The cars are large and havean aisle through the center, the sides being enclosed with gratings which render them safer in the rapid rate at which they travel A special car which was labeled "chartered" was placed at the disposal of our party by the kindness of the Twin City Rapid Transit company, the superintendent, Mr Smith, taking charge of it himself; and we traveled with lightning speed, up hill and down, and around curves, stopping for no man (or woman, either) though we frequently saw them standing at corners frantically signaling the car to stop. These car rides were certainly exhilarating ; but nothing could excel the pleasure of the carriage drive about St. Paul and about the beautiful Lake Como ; or the views obtained from Merriam Hill, Summit avenue, etc. As we passed the elegant, palatial residence of Mr. Hill on Summit avenue, the tleman in whose carriage the Argus people were driving, and who is himself a woalthy citizen, remarked, "When Hill and I flrst cani'e here in 1859 we both worked in the same livery stable for $30 a month ; now Hill is worth $30,000,000." At half past eleven o'clook Friday night we took the St. Panl and Duluth road for Duluth. By early morning the speoial train service on this road had brought ns to Proctor's Knott, widely fained "Zenith City of the great unsalted seas. ' ' Duluth is credited with a population of about 45,000, but its citizens claim 70,000. It is built upon high hills whioh rise directly above Lake Superior, and some of the steets running up from the lake are so steep that the sidewalks are simply long flights of stairs. No one who visits the "Zenith City" should fail to take the drive along the fine boulevard whioh has been built over a thousand feet above tfee lake. The view from this boulevard of the adjacent country, of the harbor and for miles out over Lake Superior, is grand. Au incline railway bas been built up these steep hills, so those who prefer to may obtain something of the same view had from the drive on the boulevard, by taking the car which runs up every few minutes. Near the top of the bluffs a pavilion has been built. The people of Duluth are very proud, and justly so, Of their schools, and especially of their niagnificent high school building, said to be the finest in the United States. It is certainly the handsomest school we ever saw, built of red stone at a cost of $40,000, and equipped with every - thing needed in its laboratories, library, etc. The hills being so exceedingly high and steep the oity does not extend very f ar back from the lake, but stretches out for several miles along the shores. The city has several lines of electric street railways. In the afternoon otir party was taken for a ride around the large and commodioas harbor and the advantages of Duluth and West Superior from a commercial point of view pointed out. Nothing separates these two cities buc water and a state line. Their harbor is a magnificent one and offers untold opportunities for a greater development to the two cities. The mammoth elevators in the harbor have a capacity of about 30,000,000 bushels, while the flouring milis oí the two cites have a daily capacity of 20,000 barrels, and the output last year was valued at over $16,0()0,000. Superior was badly hurt, as was Dnuth, by the hard times, but things are again looking up and the break in their prosperity seems to have been ternporary. A banquet was tendered the party at the magnificent West Side hotel, one of the largest and most complete hotels in the west, which has always been run at 'a loss, as an advertiseinent to the city. ■The committees of Duluth and West '■Supërioer which had charge of the party showed that they were built for entertainers and' also had a great eye towards advertising their cities. At eight o'clock Saturday night we báde good bye to Duluth, having on board about fif fcy in our party and more thaii niriety carloads of flour besides quaiitities of shingles from Seattle in the hold'of the gallant steamship "Montfreh." We were told by Captain Robèrtson that this was a smaller amount of freight than was usually carried on the "Monarch." As we sailed out into the lake, Duluth with its numerous ièlëctric lights flashing out from the jhíllsid'e presen ted a brillant spectacle. The' lights of West Superior were "also 'pttáitíly visible, although the latter city is'situated ou a plateau. ' The steamer "Monarch" proved to be , a 'very comfortable boat running with very íittle motion and Captain Robettsön a very careful and painstakng captttin as well as a good story teller. About three o'clock the next afternoon Port Artliur was reached, the most hörthern port of the "great unsalted sèas, " and we remained there long enough to see considerable of the town ; qüantities of buttercups were found growing everywhere, and many of thém were gathered by the ladies of the party. The Salvation army was march ing through the street, and a woman was beating the bass drum. Soon after leaving Port Arthur, where all had seemed sunny and bright, though cold, a fresh wind begau to blow from the east and threatening clouds appeared, and all began to fear a rough night. The waves were short and "choppy, " and many of us feit that it wonld be safer to retire early. Two evangelists, Mr. Hunter and Mr. Crosby, were on board, with their families, and Sunday evening services were held in the ladies cabin, a nd Mr. Hunter preached an excellent sermón. L A dense fog hung over the lake Sunday night and Monday morning, and ;he fog horn was sounded every two or ;hree minutes ; our arrival at Sault Ste. Vlarie was therefore delayed some two ïours, or until after four in the afternoon, when it had become clear and jleasant. The mayor and some of the citizens carne up che river on a tug to meet us and aocompanffed us to our doek with gay niusic by a fine brasa band. The inevitable photographer was also on the tug and our party on the 'Monarch" was photographed as we steamed up to the wharf above the ocks. Carriages were in waiting, and we were driven immediately to Port Brady and ushered through some of the buildings which are built of brick and in which everything was exquisitey neat and orderly. As we entered the mess room oder of Irish stew and fresh baked corn bread greeted us and proved very tempting to our hungry crowd who could not resist a piece of hot corn bread which was delicious. A company of soldiers was drilling on the green. After visiting the stove room we re;urned to our carriages and were taken jack to watch the very interesting procesa of these famous locks. Each of the party was then given a ticket ood for one ride over the rapids in the jidiau canoes with Iridian guides. It is stated that no one was ever lust or hurt in descending the rapids, and it takes only flve minutes to make the desoent. At eight o'clock we were eseorted to the residence of Hon. Henry W. Seymour, on Portage avenue, where elabórate preparations had been made by Mr. and Mrs. Seymour for our reoeption, and where a very delightful evening was spent. The front of Mr. Seymour 's fine residence was ornamented with electric light forming the words"Mioh. Press." The front piazza was euclosed and lighted with incandescent lights, a dancing pavilion had been annexed to the house, in which an orchestra played for dancing. The house was decorated with plants and with roses whioh are now in their prime at the "Soó. " Prof. and Mrs. Pease, of Detroit, who are spending the summer at the "Soo, " were present and sang several ohariping seleotions. Elabórate and daflciouB refreshmeats were then served afld at a late honr we returned to our boaOyregretting that we could not better express to Mr. and Mrs. Seymonr our grateful appreciatiou of their charmng and gracef ui hosptality so cordially extended to a party of strangers. The memory of our delightful visit to Sault St. Marie will ever linger with us. On our return to the boat the beauty of the night, the boat and many lights reflecte! in the water made so charming a picture that we were tempted to linger out on deck until a very late hour. Owing to another fog which settled down over St. Mary's river early in the morning we did not leave the "Soo" until nearly ten o'clock. At Port Huron the StarCole line of steamers gave those who wished tickets over their fast day line to Detroit.