Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-03-04
wAYslpe NOTES sY loLeR.

but found it physically impossible to
get around to more than about half.
But there was one he did not miss and
that was the banquet rendered to the
members OF the Michigan press by the
Messrs. Swart Bros. of Hotel Cadillac
on Tuesday evening.
1t was grand. The dining room has
just been redecorated and is dream
OF beauty in silver, gold and light
shade of green.
The tables were placed lengthwise
of the room and were, OF themselves,
beautiful. In the aisles between them
handsome palms added tropical mag
nifcence to the other gorgeous sur
roundings. On the tables potted
hyacinths. roses, lilies and other bios
soming plants contributed their beauty
and sweetness 10 the pleasure Of all.
Candelabra with tinted shades cast
softened glow over the floral pieces.
The speakers table extended along
the north side of the room and was
raised slightly from the floor so that
all the speakers could be seen and
heard To advantage. 1t was decorated
like the rest, with vases of flowers and
candelabra and large centerpiece of
tulips and roses. The mantel over the
bank OF palms, hyacinths, azaleas and
a tall vase in the center looped to the
palms by wide pink ribbons in festoons.
About two hundred guests were seat
ed at the tables and Toasted upon every
delicacy, seemingly, that the heart
could desire, nearly two hours being
spent in doing ample justice to this
part. In the very midst OF it the news
boys band came marching in playing
a serenade, which it is needless to say
was received with generous and hearty
applause. Every appetite being APP
peased, then following the toasts with
responses by various members OF the
Michigan press, excepting Nathaniel
c. Fowler of New York, and Judge
Tourgee. 1t was nigh to three O'Clock
in the morning before the gathering
broke up.
1t would seem to have been poor
plan, the holding the midwinter meet
ing of the Nj. p. A. at the same time
rs these other gatherings as although
there was large number of newspaper
men in the city, the business sessions
we're characterized by very small
attendance. It's too bad, too, for a
splendid program had been prepared,
but the counter ATTRACTIONS proved too
strong.
The Michigan Club banquet, Monday
night,-was largely attended and fully
rs successful as those which have pre-
ceded it. Some were inclined TO think
the oratory was not quite up TO the
standard of the past and possibly it
was not. The club has drawn so many
times upon the brainy men OF the
country that they have not near so
large list to call upon, then too un-
doubtedly, having secured a promise
from Mark Hanna TO be present, the
committee considered they had strong
enough card TO make up for all defic-
iencles and his failure to be present
left them weaker than they anticipated
However, the speeches we're excellent
and would be so pronounced by anyone
who did not have their expectancy
worked up too high.
1t was an inspiring sight when the
ex-Confederate General Walker rose
to address the gathering and all rose
to their feet with cheers and wildly
waving a small American flag. Curtis
Guild, Jr., Of Boston was clearly the
favorte speaker OF the evening, COM
bined with brilliant mind, clearness
of enunciation, and beauty OF word
painting that made ii indeed pleasure
to listen to him.
III the republican sIdLe conVenJlOn
everything was very clear sailing until
they reached the nomination OF the
second regent, then the fun began.
Quite respectable portion, and it
included some OF the leading Republi-
cans of the state too, were in favor Of
nominating Levi p. Barbour of Detroit,
who is sound money Democrat.
Against this was about two-thirds OF
the delegates who we're divided in
their support OF about half dozen can
didates The convention had already
listened to quite number OF nominal
ing speeches when Charles Delemere
OF South Haven appeared to nominate
Chas. d. Lawton. Mr.. Delemere is a
gentleman apparently about SO years
OF age, and an Irishman with consider
able brogue In his talk and not lacking
for Irish wit as was evidenced by the
way he caught the house. He started
out by depreciating himself in COM