Evening star., 1897-05-03
THE BOARD OF TRADE
An Enjoyable Excursion, Notwith-
standing the Rain.
MANY EXCELLENT SPEECHES MADE
Congress Wiling to Provide for the
Capital City's Needs.
PLANKED SHAD ELOQUENCE


distinguished guests who braved the rain
storm Saturday to attend their annual din
ner of planked shad at Marshall Hall. The
Washington board CT trade is one thing
finite that can successfully compete with
looked forward to with pleasant anticipa-
ton by every one fortunate enough to have
an invitation. Two hours before the time
for the steamer to sail it began to rain
and there was a persistent and sDiteful
downpour the rest of the afternoon. The
hosts felt that their guests might be kept
away by the rain, and thought CT post
poning the dinner, but before 30 o'clock,
when the party was to have started, more
than 200 gentlemen had assembled ready
to take the boat. In recognition Of this
high compliment, the committee abandoned
all thought of postponing the trip. Prob
ably TO other entertainment and no other
hosts could have brought so many persons
out in the drenching rain, and the hoard
of trade had a right to feel connplmented.
The Start Down the River.
On account of the weather which would
destroy the outdoor pleasures of Marshall
Hall, there was no hurry about sailing.
Lunch was served on the steamer while
she lay at the wharf. and It Vas about S
The board of trade had in mind 10 show
the senators and representatives who
were their guest something of the
condition of the Anacostia flats, which
it is desired Congress should take
some steps to improve by removing.
Therefore, the party first sailed uD the
eastern branch az far as the navy yard,
and the statesmen viewed the soggy ex
panse through the raln-spattered windows
of the cabin. after which the steamer pro-
ceeded down the river.
more enjoyable occasion coul1 hardly
be conceived of. No one seemed 10 con-
slider even the absence of sunshine nor to
feel that fair weather was needed 10 6Gd
TO the enjoyment. A large number of the
party found it pleasant enough to sit on
the after deck and view the river and NOV
ing landscape in the light of dull gray
Gay, while others played cards or ch:tted
in the comfortable cabin.
The PIanked Shad Dinner.
They arrived at Marshall Hall in time to
see the fires built and the shad spread be-
fore the Goals. The guests had to wait
only long enough to make themselves at
home about the place before Inner was
served. All then had chance to enjoy
the most delicious clam chowder and
planked shad that the taste of man could
crave Dinner was served in the dining
hall, which was just large enough to seat
the party comfortably. Had it been Il fair
day the number of guests would have Leen
greater and the tables would have been
spread in the open grounds. A representa-
tive and distinguished party of men were as
SemDled and the speaking that followed
the dinner was of extraordinarily high order
There being definite time when the boat
should start on the homeward trip. and
many speakers to hear from, President
Woodward announced in advance that
speeches would be limited to five minutes.
Few speakers encroached upon the time
limit and all had much to say that was to
the point.
The SpecchmakinS.
President Woodward called first upon Mr..
John 3. Wight, secretary of the board OF
trade, and soon to be District Commissions
er. In introducing the speaking, Mr.. Wood
ward said:
Gentlemen Of the Board of Trade and
Citizers of the United States: We do not
know whether you are here because you
like the board of trade or the shadbake
more but after today we are inclined to
think 1t is the board of trade. Tke sliad
may have been better before, but l am
told by the gentleman on my right (Mr.
Ross) that they were never bettar than
they are today. The board of trade of
Washington is a great institution, and it
has been singulariy honored in the past few
days by the appointment by the President
OF our secretary, Mr.. john B. Wight, as
Commissioner of the District
Mr.. John B. Wight.
Mr.. Wight explained very briefly the re-
lations of the board of trade 70 the city of
Washington and to Congress. He said that
he was perfectly sure that Congress was
desirous of acting justly toward the o':y of
Washington and doing what was :rest for
its Improvement, and that what was want
ed was that Congress should always be
properly informed as to the neeis Of the
icf hras,r <,fs lxe
Congress such Information hone estly and
nnpartially, without favor toward Indi-
Vidual or toward section, but with a sin
gle purpose 20 advance the best interests
OF the WnOie community. The board OF
trade never had. and he was sure neve-
would. ask anything that was wrong
PRESIDENT Woodward introduced eacl. of
Inc succeeding speakers with appropriate
remarks, showing himself u be an al
m rable toastmaster.
Senator Hawley.
Senator Hawley, who was the second
speaker. said that the city of Washington
should be the model of the world. In every
respect ii should be made 20 excel other
cities. and every citizen of The United
States should take pride in its excellence.
In many respects, he said, ,here had not
bcen az much done as should have been.
He thought especially that our school sys-
TEN, as good as 1t is, would bear great i'm
Pio'eiutHt 1US people tne DtStrlct were
deprived of the right to vote, and thus to
direct their own government. but he want
ed 10 suggest that they did not know how
much they were blessed by that being So
We are your guardians" he said.--'You
are our children. We are your fathers and
your mothers. While Washington has a.
great deal, ii needs more. We want Won to
nave the best system of sewerage in the
world: the best possible of public schools:
we ought TO be model 10 the world in cur
sanitary laws ana the general character of
our residences. school houses and cnurcnes
we ought 10 have it so that people who
come here would say: This Is absolutely
perfect This is the new Jerusalem You
are here as the representative city of the
United states. and We are all your friends"
Senator Clark.
senator Clark of Wyoming was next
called upon. He said that he had known
OF many mean things being DONE but Of
none meaner than this of asking him to
follow an old after-dinner campaigner like
Senator Hawley. ''The first defamation I
ever delivered as a boy at school," he said,
was one of Senator Hawley's after-dinner
speeches l won't say what effect 1t had
on the teacher.
Il don't know what other congressman
mere may think about Washington" he