The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

sufficient applications to make up the full
number, and these will be acted on at the
next regular meeting.
Maj Meldrim has been president of the
society for sixteen years, having succeed
ed Mr.. l.. j. Guilmartin. who was presi-
dent before him, and who yesterday had
been member of the society for fifty
years.
Mr.. NJ A. OiByrne Of the board Of stew
ards received the following telegram which
was read to the members: Augusta, Ga,
March II, 1S9.-M. A. O'Byrne, Savannah,
Ga: Though 1 cannot be with you when
you welcome the hour" / shall think OF
the night when 1 welcomed it, too, and
forget my own griefs to be happy with
you" Chas. ]. Bayne."
The members and guests of the society
began to assemble shortly after s o'clock
at night in the gentlemen's parlor at the
De Soto. A brief informal reception in
honor of Gov. Atkinson and the other
guests of the society was held, and short
~ before o'clock they marched to the
banquet hall to the strains Of sweet mu-
SIC by the orchestra, and enjoyed the ser
vice of the excellent menu which had
been elegantly prepared by Messrs. Watson
q Powers, proprietors of the De Soto. The
dinner was served in the following courses:
Oysters on Half Shell.
Chat Latour Blanche.
Green Turtle Clear.
Pale Sherry.
Small Patties, a la Victoria.
Olives. Sailed Almonds Celery.
Broiled Pompano, Maitre de Hotel.
Potato Parisienne.
Tenderloin of Beef. larded with Mush-
rooms.
New Asparagus,
Pontet Canet
Sweetbreads Glaoe with Green Peas.
Punch la Cardinal.
Broiled Quail on Toast.
Lettuce Salad.
Pommery Sec
Charlotte Russo Decorated.
ASSORTED Cakes. Champagne Jelly.
Neapolitan Ice Cream.
Fruits and Coffee. Roauefort Cheese.
Shortly before 11:SO o'clock Mr.. NJ. a.
OByrne, chairman of the stewards,
claimed the attention of the banquetters
a few moments, to read some letters of
regret and congratulation He read let
ters and kilograms from the Charleston
Hibernian Society, the Charitable Irish So
ciety of Boston, which was celebrating
last night, its 160th anniversary, the
Friendly Sons of st. Patrick of New York
and the Hibernan Society of Philadel-
phia, which was celebrating it's 126th an
niversary. He also mentioned letters and
kilograms of regret at their inability to
be present from Senators Clay and Bacon,
Senator David B. Hill, Col James Arm
strong, Hon. j. T.. Hartridge of Jackson
Vile, Judge Spencer r. Atkinson, DR..
Landrum of Atlanta, Judge Little, Hon.
Clark Howell, Hon. Evan P. Howell Hon.
Frederick r. Coudert, and Col George A.
Mercer Gen. Henry r. Jackson, Hon.
Patrick Walsh Hon. j. C. C. Black, Bish-
op Becker, Col. ]. H. Estill, Mr.. S. B.
Adams, Judge Emory Speer, Gen. J. b.
Gordon, and many others.
Unfortunately ne had to announce also
the unavoidable absence of several of the
visiting speakers, who were expected.
Hon. w. c. Glenn of Atlanta, was de-
tanned by severe Illness; Hon. r. L.
Berner made an effort to come, but could
not get excused from some important court
work In which he was engaged, and Prof
II. c. White of Athens was detained be-
cause of the death of the wife of one of
the other professors and the sickness of
that professor himself, which left one of
the departments vacant. A trio of Sa-
vannah's ablest after dinner speakers was
secured, however, to fill their places, re-
spectively Judge William d. Harden, Judge
Robert Falligant and Prof. Otis Ash
more
1t was about ten minutes before u
o'clock when order was called and the re-
sponses to the regular toasts began.
Chairman M. A. O'Byrne of the stewards
said the stewards this year had insisted
on the president Of the society to respond
to the first regular toast He therefore
called on Mayor and President P W. Mel
drim to respond to the toast, Savannah
Maj. Meldrim was eloquent in his re-
Spouse, which was as follows:
"A custom heretofore honored in its OBJ
servance has been violated this evening
by the request that should respond to
the toast of Savannah Such a request
has, for me. the force of law, and re-
Spouse is alike matter of love and duty
Love-for the memories of a lifetime
cling around this old city. Duty-for her
generosity to me make me, for all time
her debtor.
And yet know not what to say. 1