The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-27
HAS REACHED ITS MAJORITY.
THE SAVANNAH RIFLE AsSOCIA-
TION's 2IST ANNIVERSARY.

Marked by Feast, Music and Flo
quence-The Baaquetters at the
south End, Tybee-Messrs. Saussy,
Mercer, dUBignOn, Judge Falli-
giant and Col. Lester the Speakers.
Mr.. duBIgnon ConErR tuIates Him
self That NOt "A Woman in Georgia
voted Against Him.
The twenty-frst anniversary Of the Sa-
vannah Rifle Association was celebrated
i'm an appropriate and even jubilant man
ner at the South End hotel. Tybee. last
night II will be remembered as a not
able occasion in the history OF the asso-
citation. which, as Toastmaster Saussy eX-
pressed Il, has just reached its majority.
II was a feast OF wine. music ana elo-
quence. with fish dinner on the side, the
component elements not being stated in
the order OF their Importance, out OF de-
! ference 10 the varying views of those who
attended. or course. all enjoyed the elO-
quence. without which much would have
been lacking; but many were deeply salts
fed with the fish dinner. not 20 mention
Its necessary and important accompani-
menL
down 10 the island on the train leaving
the city at6:55. There was more than a
passenger coach filled with them. They
arrived at the South End at 7:l5 O'Clock.
and spent about three-quarters Of an
hour taking in the sea breezes before the
dinner.
There were rinemen present from every
branch of the service. and some whose
only service OF recent date has been with
the association. There were milltiamen
from almost every company there was
the Chatham Artillery and the Naval Re
serve, and the coloners stan, too. was
represented by zone or two" captains OF
target fame.
II was just $3.50 o'clock when the rife
men sat down to dinner. Mr.. ]. II. Saussy
acted as chairman IN the absence OF the
president, DIR. J. ID. Martin. HonorarSR
President Capt James w McAlpin was
seated on his left, and Col. Rufus e. Les
ter on his right. About eighty members
and guests of the association were seated
around the tables.
TOastmaster Saussy welcomed all to the
dinner in a few brief and applicable
words He was glad to welcome all, he
said, on the occasion of the associations
twenty-first anniversary.
I'VE have reached our majority. and
are qualified to vote" he said, and Il is
! fitting that we celebrate IL tonight. In
| your celebration remember the associa-
ton and uphold It's dignity. Let all enjoy
themselves with festivities, fast, but not
furious. Gentlemen, be seated. and let
| good digestion wait on appetite"
Messrs. Bohan & COwan are to be con-
| graduated upon the service OF the din
ner. They personally superintendent 1t.
| and everything was conducted with sys-
TEN and in order. The dinner was served
! in the following courses:
Boiled Sea Bass, Egg Sauce
Potatoes a la Duchesse.
Sherry.
| Tybee Whiting. Salt Water Trout
Mashed Potatoes.
| Sirloin of Beef, Petlts Polls.
Potatoes a rItalienne.
Mumm's Extra Dry
| Shrimp Croquettes. Crabs a la Diable.
Crab Salad Shrimp Salad.
Lettuce. Chow Chow.
Queen Olives. Picked onions
Ices. Cakes. Nuts. Raisins.
| Roquefort Cheese. Crackers.
Cafe Noir.'
When the time arrived for the feast
of reason Mr.. John NJ. Bryan, treasurer
Of the association, was requested to act
| as POSTMASTER by Chairman Saussy.
/ Toastmaster Bryan complimented the as
/ ISOLATION on the manner in which It HAD
/ celebrated the occasion. He called upon
/ the banquetters to MI their glasses TO
the first regular toast, our Anniversa-
| ry," response by Chairman J. r. Saussy.
Just as Mr.. Saussy began his speech
| Judge Falligant, who had been detained
/ in the city by official business, and came
| down on the late train. entered the halt.
| 1t was a signal for prolonged applause,
and the conclusion of which Mr.. Saussy
| said:
Better late than never We are glad
| to welcome Judge Falligant."
| = Mr.. Saussy spoke Of the anniversary of
| the association as an occasion of festiVity.
| 1t is a time he said, wh0n We get to-
/ nd ma ia h
| ers' company and tell stories OF the past.
| While the association may have reached
its majority, he said, assure you It viii
| never reach senility, for we will always
| be boys. He said the members Of the
| association were bound together by ties
| of friendship and sociality, ties which had
| been made stronger than those OF any
| oath-bound organization whether in our
| city or elsewhere. His reference to men,
| bers of the association having won
| worlds championships was warmly receiv-
| ed and the names OF Wilson and Posteli,
| Nelson and Cam, were each greeted with
| applause. Some Of his references to the
early days of the association were anus
| ing It was the time when the association
! used to go out to the Hermitage In an ON
| nibus with a keg Of beer and shoot at 100
| and 200 yards, and some of the members
/ used to explain that little puff of wind
| would come along Just as the trigger was
| pulled and blow the bullet away from the
| bullseye.
He was emphatic in Chis praise Of the
| county commissioners for what they did in
/ aiding the military in securing rifle range
| second to none in the country. The county
| commissioners, he said deserve the praise
/ and not the condemnation OF the grand
/ Jury. The sentiment was applauded to the
| echo.
Mr.. Saussy spoke pleasantly OF the hon
! orary president, Capt. McAlpin on his left,
1 and referred to Col. Lester on his right as
/ one whom Chatham county had delighted
/ to honor and who had made an able and
| a faithful public servant.
The orchestra played "Our Anniver-
| sary," and POSTMASTER Bryan introduced
| Mr. George A. Mercer, Jr., who, he said,
would respond to the toast Love, Wine
/ and Song"
Mr.. Mercer said it seemed to him the
! committee had made a mistake In putting
| love before wine. He. said he would take
! the liberty of changing II, as IL was US
/ ual for love and warmth and sentiment
| to follow wine. Mr.. MERGERS references
/ and comparisons, drawn from the range
| and it's vernacular, were very amusing
/ He was glad to see, he said, that every
| man had taken twenty rounds within his
| belt.
| Mr.. Mercer said with wine first and love