Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-30
THE FOURTH EDITION
Of a Series of Enjoyable Ban
quets Given by the Pitts
burg Press Club.
A LONG FLOW OF ORATORY.
No Limit Placed on the Speeches, and
They We're Quite Numerous.
POETRY THAT MEANT SOMETHING
Made Use of By Men Who Know What
Constitutes Rhythm.
LONG FLOW OF ORATORY.
POETRY THAT MEANT SOMETHING
VERY PLEASANT DOUBLE BILL OF FARE

of news for their readers, showed their ap-
probation for a good supper, and later
listened to the wit and wisdom that had been
slowed away in the minds of the speakers
for the fourth annual banquet of the Pitts
burg Press Club.
1t was thrifty looking crowd of men who
gathered in the parlors at The Hotel Du-
quesne, ard from o'clock to 7:9O they came
in ones and twos. until nearly $50 of them
had cougregated, ready to show their ad-
miratien FOR good thing.
Though it was announced that the affair
would begin promptly at 6, the first edition
was iully an hour and half late. The
leading feature was a treatise on oysters.
While the matter was decidedly raw, criti-
cism on the article was extremely friendly,
aud it was digested by all with rare tact and
good humor. Indeed, there was never any,
thing in a first edition so decidedly good,
but that which came lauer showed marked
improvement, and the discussion became
more general.
Tie March to the Banquet Hall.
In the trip TO the banquet hall line of
march was formed, and, as usual on occa-
sions where an attack is to be made, the
newspaper correspondents were in front, and
the members of the military gunpowder
club, with the captain in command, brought
up the rear. The strains of a march from
the corridor in which Gernert's Orchestra
was concealed helped somewhat to keep the
newspaper men in line, and there was some
show OF march at the tore, though the SOL
So fl,a cd hat
Upon their arrival around the tables
every man was voted prince of good fel-
lows, and in honor of his splendid position
was decorated with The rose, a magnificent
white one having been placed at the plate of
each for the occasion.
Nor were they the only places where roses
might 6e found, for the larger places were
where flowers were instead of where they
were absent. The decorations under the
skilful management and direction of Messrs.
J. r. & A. NJ. Murdoch were the most pro-
fuse. They filled every nook and corner of
the room, hung on the walls, the tables were
strewn, and in some instances the splendid
roses fell on the floor.
Arrangement of the Tables.
AT the further end of the banquet hall
was long table, behind which the men Of
acknowledged brain force sat and beamed
down on the slightly lesser lights who,
themselves, only know Of their magnificent
brain power and ability to run a newspaper-lf
they only had chance. Behind this table sat
the President; to his left was the toastmaster.
while around them were clustered the speakers
with pock cts bulging with manuscripts, dele
gates from other cities to the international
Press Club Convention, and numerous Others
who occupied places like ciphers, because there
was room.
When the less favored sat and from their po-
sitions tried to look interestedly at those lined
along the table, their eyes continually wandered
TO the beautiful decorations in the background,
because their verdancy was not greatly DIS
figured by the figures in front. 1t would be
fatty to say a charm was added by these fig
ures, for red rose Is always more beautiful
than red mu>tache, ami a large bunch of
white lilies greatly discounts hairless head
when beauty is concerned, though ladies some
times affect to equally admire the latter
y large mirror would have formed goodly
portion of this background, had not the COM
mIttee feared the genial President the Major
might SO far forget himself as to look therein
and admire what he saw. AS a prccaution
against this danger, it was banked high with
green, and over that was extended an arch of
the same color. studded here and there with
bright red roses.
Beauties of the Floral Decorations.
On the tables all through the room roses and
lilies were heaped in the most extravaaant pro-
fusion, and it looked as though the city must
have been stripped of her beauties to add to
the charm of this occasion. Tropical verdure
pot plants and every known article in the
florists art were to be found-not somewhere
but everywhere. for no place was devoid of the
added beauties of nature, and apparently every
CLINE was searched to secure that which most
charms the beholder.
And then mid all these spIendors and the
lff pIanr
The ladies appeared. They were somewhat
late, tits true. but after their own BANQUET
they came prepared to add greatly 10 the pleas
ure of the stag banqueters'' and reign the
queens in that imperial bower of beauty and
elegance.
The menu and programme of music and
toasts was chrouicled III the Scissors Scent
afternoon sheet published for the occasion. As
leading events lead all well-regulated newspa-
pers the diuner, of course. was be found at the
top of the column in this journal. Though
Manager Witherow, of the Duquesne has been
SICK. he has kept his eve on the work for this
occasion, and none of the details went unat-
tended.
The Scissors like too many modern Ameri
can newspapers published for common folks
falls into French and for this reason MANY of
the banquetters who have sadly neglected that
interesting tongue, consequently fell into
second dish on the programme which goes up-
der the name of Consomme d. Orleans and as
one remarked, very good dish it was made by
a man from New Orleans.
The list of edlbles was long one. and the
score or more of walters was kept on a CON
tInual move supplying the hunEry-and some
times sfhirsty-newspaper men, with the proper
matter to till space, and do it acceptablS Mr.
Witherow promised that nothing would be
wanting, even the old English plum puddi uC
finding place on the table until it could he
consigned hence.
A Hint of the Coming Clubhouse.
The center rieee of the room was designed
by the house pastry cook. The ladies say it
made sweet picture, which is nos to be won
dered al, since its composition is entirely of
sugar. The piece represents cottage, from
the windows of which streams red, blue and
green lights. The structure is feet long feet
high and feet in width. On the face and rea r
walls are engraved Press. 1891" This beau j.
1ul piece stands at the juncIure of what is
called the alley and the cafe proper and it
illumined the way of those who, by force of the
large number were crowded into the former
place. as alter the dinner they wandered back
into the latter to hear the addresses
That was only the finest of the pastry pieces
but Its nsgnihcence did not oversnadow the
duzen or SO Of smaller creations tnat were to be
found on the tables in the different parts of the
hall They were of every character, shape and
design. and description is simply unnecessary
except that they were the work of the best men
tue DuQuesne's CORPS affords, and were of the
finest OF material
When the coffee was placed before the as
sembled guests and clubmen the President
Major William Hartzell, said:
Introduction of the Toastmaster.
~ greet you on this tenth anniversary of the
PittsburC Press ClIb. On behalf Of Its mem.
bers bid hearty welcome TO our guests. es-
pecialv to brothers of the press from abroad
who honor US with their presence on this Joy
ols occasion. / would not orget our sisters in
the profession. now being entertained at
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