The Kalamazoo Convention

The good peoplc of Kalamazoo openod their hospitable doors to the editors of the state last week in a generous way such as to make thein all rerneinber that city with pleasurable recollections of a joliy time. For three daya there was continu al sight seèing, receptions, banqueta and entertainment for their guests. Editora Bhakeapeare and Dingley are e redited mostly with the success of the meeting. Otsejzo also tendered an excursión and banquet at the Bardeen Paper milis, where the largest milis in the state were inspected. Otsego is a growing place with several large manufactoriea whose weekly pay rolls make glad the mer■chant. One of the chair factories donated a large easy rockin s chair to be civen to the homeliest editor present. The choice feil on McMillan of Bay City, %vho responded in a witty speech eonsoling himself that he would be all right vhen slabs canie into fashion. Oue of the several drives about the t;ity took in the buildings of the Michigan Buggy Co., which turns out $600," 000 worth a year with its 250 employés; also the American Playing Card com. pany's establishment where wesaw how they print, paste and put up cards. Of course one would not have been to Kalamazoo if he had not seen the celery ■'rowii. We drove through the fields und saw how they trot their three crops a year, how they irrigated and tended their little spots, for no one owns over tive or ten acres, and most of tbein but xme aere. They are frugal Hollanders who have reclaimed an almost worthless tract, making it worth $'200 per acre and over. About 2500 get employment there nd it is stated that the celery brings a caillion dollars a year. Senator Stockbridge gave an elegant ïeception at his home, assisted by Mr. ■J. C Burrows and other ladies. There the editor and their wives had the pleasure of meeting Senator Sawyer of Wisconsiu, who was also the guest of Michigan's senior niember of the U. 8. Senate. ÜSText morning the visitors had another taste of his hospitality upon visiting his well known stock farm. There they looked upon $10,000 to $75,O00 horses as common as printing presses are about the editors. One could not look anywhere on that half section ot land without seeing droves of horses, while a track built on the place shows their perfect appliance for training. On a hill above the city instead of a íortress with frowning cannon, is a Female Seminary wfaich is doing good work under able teachers. Here a Junch was served and speeches made. The festivities closed with a good banquet tendered by the citizens of Kalama200 where a most elegant repast was set before their guests. It was seasoned ■with toasts, editor Pingley of the Telegraph acting as a graceful toastmaster. Dancing folio wed uutil the jolly company broke uptosay "Good bye." The thrëe days were so crowded with sight-seeing that we were unable tovisit many of the factories which were thrown open forour inspection. Kalamazoo has uearly thirty inanufacturies each of which do $100,000 or over of business every year, among which are the American Wheel Co., the largest of the thirty ■jyhich control the trade in this country ; Ihling & Everard have an immense printing establishment, employing 70 men and girls making blank books, etc. ; Frank Henderson is well known everywhere for his secret society regalia, iniforms, etc. ; the Cone Coupler Carïiage Co. is a new but large establishment getting its name from a peculiar inventïon attached to the forward axle of their carriages ; The St. John Plow Jo. have many ingenious inventions on their plows which they turn out to the $200,000 figure every year. Other factories make cigars, washboards, saw tnül machmery, railroad velocípedos, springs and axles, pills, wind milis, caskets, paper, ílour, etc. too numerous to mention. Kalamazoo is one of the most beautiful cities not only in Michigan but anywhere on the globe. lts broad, wellshaded streets, elegant houses, pleasant people, industrious factories, combine to xaáke it a lively and eharming residence or business town. It lies in the centre of one of the best farming distlicts, commauding all the trade for rnany miles around, because there are no other towns near by to draw from it. AVe believe it will become to Michigan what Rochester is to New York state. Next January the editors meet in Ann Arbor, and we shall have to hustle to give thein as good a time as all enjoyed in Kalamazoo. After that meeting a trip south will be taken to Washington, Richmond, Florida, Alabama and Chattanooga.