The San Francisco call., 1896-03-01

sity on the outside was forgotten IN the
warmth of true Republican hospitality on
the occasion of the reception extended by
tlsa club to the visiting delegates to the
Republican State Central Committee meet
ing IN Pioneer Hall in the afternoon.
From 9 clock until long after midnight
the visitors came and went, exchanging
congratula on the magnificent pros
pects for Republican President for 1897.
In fact, congratulations were so plentiful
that some were left for President Cleve-
land for the mastery manner in which he
has swamped the Democratic party be-
tween duck-hunts.
The officers of the club honored the oc-
casion by appearing in evening dress, and
they were not idle for a single moment in
the pleasurable duty OF entertaining the
guests President George Stone seemed
to have several doubles in each room, or,
in other words, ne seemed to be every
where at one and the same time.
WeILknoTn Republican faces were
prominent among the throng. Towering
IN stature among the rest was Harbor
Commissioner Dan 7. Cole OF Sierra,
whose head and countenance ere strik-
lngiv suggestive of those OF Abraham
L. H.
clean-shayen classic features of Frank D.
RYAN. Sacramento's District Attorney
As bronZed as a granger from the rich
semi-tropical valley of the san Joaquin
was Senator Flint of San Benito. he being
in striking contrast with his vis-a-yis,
General John +. Sheehan, whose visage,
adorned with jet black mustache and i'm
perial, is of the Louis Napoleon order OF
physiognomy.
Among the tall men was Deputy Su-
preme Court Clerk McGraney OF Sacra-
fnento, and in physique he was an excel
lent foil for Commodore Cornelius O'Con-
nor. Supreme Court Justice Mcfarland,
S. N. Shortridge, Judge Dibble and Judge
Carpenter, who halls from the whole OF
Southern California, were prominently in
evidence. Wendell Easton, who never
misses a Republican gathering; General
Backus, Charles II. Shortridge. c. II. Reed
of San Luis O5ispo, A. Hochheimer of
Glenn, Guy C. Earl OF Alameda and others
of me Old Guard we're in the front rank of
the knights hospitallers of the Republican
fort.
They sat in groups OF twos and threes
and fours chatting of politics. and pros
pects, and out of the confused murmur of
many voices in many keys, and through
the light blue cloud of tobacco smoke that
yeiIed the takers, arose the form of Will
liam Mckinley of Ohio. His name was
mentioned Olic VI bHC
able candidates for the Presidency. but the
general opinion appeared to be tnat it was
too early in the season to predict the prob
able winner OF the laurels OF the nomin
alton.
President Stone interrupted the general
conversation at 10 O'Clock by inviting the
visitors 10 the banquet-room, in which
collation. with punches and other refresh
ments was spread. The acceptance of the
invitation converted the banquet hall into
a converse tion-room.
The charm of the entertainment was the
absence of all stiffness or formallty. The
visitor was made to feel at home, and
nothing in the way OF entertainment that
would tend 10 make his position irksome
was expected of him. The greatest har,,
mony prevailed during the evening, and
the occasion will long be remem bered as
one of true Republican hospitality, unal-
loved with even the slightest trace OF
seIfishness.