Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-13
Its Annual Excursion Down the River
an Enjoyable Affair.
MANY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS PRESENT
A Shad Bake Dinner and Several
Complimentary Speeches.
PRAISE FOR WASHIN GTON

Jupiter Piuvius Is not a permanent resi-
dent OF Washington, and hence is not eligi-
Die as member of the board of trade.
This probably accounted for his Jealous
intentions on Saturday, on the occasion of
the annual excursion and shad bake of
that organization to Marshall Hall. But
not even the fierce efforts of the rain god
could wholly mar the enjoyment of the oc-
casion He began to scowl before the
steamer Manchester left the wharf, and
grew more and more threatening as she
made her way down the river. When the
boat touched Marshall Hall to take on
few pounds of ice to quench the thirst of
the four hundred and fifty men who were
aboard the skies looked very black indeed.
But the entire program of the day was
carried out to the letter, and the boat pro-
ceeding to Indian Head, the members of
the board and their guests were given an
opportunity to hear some big sounds and
see some big sights.
At Indian Head.
The excursionists were met at the prov
ing ground wharf by Lieut.. Mason, the Of
ficer in charge of the station, and his as
sistants. Secretary Herbert and Commo-
dore Sampson. chief of ordnance. who were
among the guests, quickly led the way to
the battery, a hundred yards above the
wharf, and the crowd took possession of
the hill Immediately in the rear. There be-
ing no plate to test. Lieut. Mason caused
the six-inch gun to be fired several times
at the sand butt, in order to test the brass
cartridge cases. The six-pounder rapid
firing gun was also exhibited to show the
great speed that could be had in leading
and firing, but by this time the storm
cloud had burst, and about half the excur-
sionists returned to the boat. which backed
away from the wharf, gracefully making
room for exhibition of range firing from
the 5-inch gun. which threw three projec-
tiles far down the river into the teeth Of the
gale which was making its way up the
stream The splash of the projectiles could
be plainly seen by those on shore.
The Manchester then returned to Marshall
Hall ard a luncheon that was spread and
partly made way with on the down trip
was completely demolished Indian Head
had been reached at 3 o'clock and departed
from 1t t. The hall vas reached shortly
before o'clock. and by this time the skies
were promising steady downpour of rain.
Maj. McKibbin had arranged to have the
plank shad dinner served on the lawn be-
tween the mansion and the new dining
hall, and great tables had been spread
there for this purpose. quite sufficient to
accommodate every guest. Before $50.
however, the hour at which dinner
scheduled, the rain was falling so fast that
the outdoor project had to be abandoned,
and it was foreseen that there would be
difficulty in getting all of tine guests into
the dining hall. This proved to be the case
and the dinner was eaten in sections AT
the first table sat the officers of the board
ana the guests OF nOnOr, together with a
couple of hundred lucky ones who managed
to obtain seats. There was considerable
good-natured crowding and rivalry to OBJ
tain places. but as nobody was to blame for
the very apparent hitch in arrangements
except Jupiter Pluvius himself there was
no hard kicking done. and almost every
body good humored.
The first table was quickly cleared and
second one was spread. Meanwhile many
of the eKcursioniSts had secured little
tables and had them spread here and there
Has- halt and fha nnd rV1An nj
In a truly Bohemian fashion. The shad
planks were kept constantly in service. and
pounds upon pounds Of the delicious ma
terial found its way to the table. BY
o'clock all of the guests had been served
and the word was passed for everybody to
assemble in the dancing pavilion near the
wharf. which was transformed quickly Into
rostrum. and the post prandial eloquence
was then delivered. The eastern side of
the elevated section of the structure was
occupied by President Warner and his
principal victims, and the majority OF the
members OF the board were scattered about
on the floor, seated on hard little benches
like school boys. They seemed, however.
to enjoy the novelty Of the occasion thor
oughly, and to enter into the spirit OF the
makeshift arrangements that the rain had
made necessary with the true zest OF pic
nickers.
The OratOricnl Proceedings.
President Warner. in opening the oratori-
cal part OF the proceedings at 1880, spoke of
b -
ton, which has been insured by The broad
spirit of legislation that has prevailed in
Congress during most of the sessions, and
paid happy compliment to the southern
representatives, who had. through their
efforts in Congress. accomplished so much
for the District. AS a type of these men
he introduced Secretary Herbert, who had
always striven to secure legislation tending
to the Identification of Washington.
Secretary Herberfs Remarks.
Secretary Herbert was recei?ed with
great enthusiasm He said that he had not
come to make a speech, but to enjoy him
self. and to allow others to enjoy them
selves. He told comical story about ex-
Governor Houston of Alabama, who never
could speak after eating hearty dinner. to
Illustrate the homely adage prevalent in
the south that an empty barrel makes the
most fuss He gave way to Representa-
tive CoombS of Brooklyn, who, he said, had
prepared speech, and closed, compliment
ing the board of trade as the representative
body of the most representative city OF
America.
Representative Coombs said that the
Secretary, next to whom he had sat during
the dinner, had secured all the best cuts of
the FISH and was now trying to get the bet
ter of him by forcing him to make his
speech. After few pleasant remarks he
spoke of his pride and love for the city of
Washington, a city unique in all the world.
None, he said, can compare with it in many
IL
at all. He was glad it was not a manufac-
turing city. but that its refinement and lit
erary culture would keep all nuisances at
distance. 1t will always. he said at
tract the best class of people, for the rulers
or the city, for those interested in it's well
rare, snow extreme care for the comfort
OF the citizens. He did not know whether
this was due to the skill of the Commission
ers or the public spirit of its citizens but
he thought it might be due to both One of
the advantages of living in Washington
he said is that its markets are not exorbi-
tant ana hence men of moderate incomes
can live here much cheaper than in airy
other city in the Union.
With its beautiful surroundings and its
healthful climate" he said, "Wasfinyton
Is ideal, and you have it in your power to
continue its growth in these lines But
you must frown down all combinations that
In other cities tend to put up the price of
living. Mr.. Coombs said in conclusion
that he had always taken a great interest
In the city and had striven to give it bene-
fetal laws. He proudly declared that he
had always fought all propositions looking