National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-07
THE CAPITAL FISHING CLUB.
PRESENTATION OF AHANDsoME TEST

PRESENTATION OF HANDSOME TESTI-
NORMAL To COL. s. S. SHOOT.
In August last the members of Columbia and
De Molay Communicates, of this city, in conjunc-
tion with their fraters Of Baltimore and PhIIa-
GeIphis, made pilgrimage to Cape May, N. J.,
where they remained three days and enjoyed q
most delightful visit On that occasion, while the
residents and temporary sojourners on the island
vie with efch other in their efforts to contribute
to the pleasure Of the Knights, none were more
constant and unceasing in their attentions for the
welfare of the excursionists than Colonel s. s.
Smoot and his fair lady residents of this city but
spending the summer at this lashiOnSol sea-shOre
resort His cottage was thrown open for the
TemplaTs' free use, but not content with the in
land pleasures mapped out, this generous gentle
man chartered schooner and extended an inVi-
tatiOn to number Of the visitors to accompany
him on flshtng excursion on the broad Atlantic
which they did, and tne day Of exciting sport
they enjoyed.
On their return home that party met together
and organized the Capital Fishing Club. At the
meeting a series Of resolutions were passed ex-
pressive Of the great respect entertained by the
members Of the club for Col. Smoot. the deep OBJ
legations they were under for the unbounded gem
erOsity shown them while at Cape May, and his
unceasing efforts to make their brief sojourn
agreeable. 1t was decided that these resolutions
should be handsomely engrOssed and framed, and
g gold badge OF neat design be prepared and
presented 10 the gentleman as q suitable testi-
monial from the club for the kindness exhibited
towards them on that occasion. The work was
finished and last evening the presentation took
place at the residence Of Dol SmoOt. There was
present Of the club Rev. J. Vaughn Lewis, VIM.
H. Roose, Thomas G. Foster, NJ. Frank Kelly
James p. Bell, H. NJ. De Hart, Matthew Trimble,
J. b. Patterson, W. II. Broome, DIR. V. Shinn, Z.
LICAN, who also accompanied the party on the
hshing excursion. The host, although being
aware Of the intended visit, presumed It to be Of
q social nature, and was somewhat astonlshed at
being the recipient Of SO tine present.
Rev. DR.. Lewis made the presentation on behalf
Of the club After briefly relating the manner in
VI he IN m Of q ha
party on that day, be proceeded to give brief
resume Of the trip. He thought that II salt water
copiously swallowed from rusty tin basin could
make man sailor, or If salt pork, prepared "a
Ia sWsb," could inspire sRiloTly frankness, the
majority Of the CLUB ought TO rate as able sea-
men. When he recalled to mind the worthy form
Of the NOZZLE general (Browne) entertaining him.
self on the broad Of his back, on the top Of the
cabin, from early dawn to dewy eve" his eoun.
or when he thought Of that honorable member"
(Trimble) who once sWayed the destinies Of this
ish mackerel that came aboard; or when he was
reminded Of the Board Of Public Works, (Kelly,)
fat on his stomach in the hold, pretending 10
search for Cspe-Msy diamonds in the ballast,
eyincing such eagerness for the spoils that ten
pound swapping maekerel thrown down on his
head could not diseoncert him; or when he re-
membered the representative Of the Washington
press, who for one day at least did not know or
care whether he were q Republican or a Demo
eIa and peT secop ne or rA tbs msn
cigars, (Roose) who could not be induced to
unch or even 10 look at four fragrant HavanAs;
or the sportsman, bell, who brought bis wife
along TO shoot porpoises, and who did not do It;
Eufiee Il TO say, sir, that there was not man Of
the Marty that has not ever since been singing or
hummtng or Whistling
IA life on the ocean wave,
A home on the rolling deep"
He recalled figure which none would ever for
get-the figure OF o man Of about Col. Shoots
size and build, who welcomed them aboard with
Deep" and made all feel as IL they were born Oh
that schooner, and the most sick found IL i'm
possible 10 be home-sic of man who put every
soul that was able 10 crawl at the lines, and
nah Of man who brought stores and supplies
out Of unknown and unexpected corners, until
those Of them who had had no breakfast thought
that they had been TO dinner, and those who had
forfeited their breakfast were glad Of It; Of man
that kneWJust where to take them 10 End the flsl;
Of a man that stood on his quarter deck on the
home stretch and toasted everybody but himself
and took the resp0nsb lily Of landing them safely
through the surf when tia very life-boat men
were scared at the gale. To snch Imam he turned
and with grHtulatiOns, that be should have made
his name such pleasant life-memory to so many
men ky one thoughtful act OF hospitable kind
nesp They would never forget It A day Of real
solid pleasure ls so rare in this world that its
nembrasee is undying. The ink aad parchment
which, Though the Partially OF his comrades, he
had the pleasure Of presenting % Q souvenir Of
the day Of En, would not outlast their reeollec-
tioe OF his geEerous kindness, and this gold badge
Of the Capital Fishing Club should be the token
admiration.
Gel. Smoot responded briefly, thanking the
club for their gift and stating all that had been
done by himself and family TO contribute to their
pleasure whilst at Cape May was only for the
purpose Of adding 10 their enjoyment If possible,