Evening star., 1897-04-02
Mr.. G. ]. Bell rendered Testimonial
by His Associates.
HANDSOME BANQUET SCENE
Gratifying Words Concerning the
Inaugural Plans and Results.
THos Sc WHO oKE

committee in charge of the arrangements
for the recent Inauguration gave a BAN
quet last evening at the Arlington in honor
of the chairman Of the committee, Mr..
Charles J. Bell, who labored so long and
faithfully to make the Inauguration sue
cess in every detail. The banquet in tue
character of the men about the board, in
the elegance of the decorations and the
quality of the menu, was one of the most
delightful affairs of the sort ever given in
Washington.
More than two score Of gentlemen We're
gathered about the table representative OF
the best of the social and business lite
at the capital, and each had something
pleasant TO say of the manner in which
the chairman of the inaugural committee
had discharged the important duties that
had been intrusted to him. Among the
guests were several gentlemen who nave
served In similar capacity ds chalr1nen
at other iuaugurations, and each took oc-
cation to say that while ne and the gen
tlemen associated with him in turn had
done all that was possible to make that
particular Inauguration the most success
full ever held, he must admit that Chair
man Bell haG surpassed all previous efforts
in this line, and had given the nation
spectacle that would long be remembered.
Rarely has there ever been a banquet
served in this city where the decorations
were more superb or in better taste. The
banquet hall of the Arlington would have
been little large for an affair of the size
of this. but by the aid of the florists art
it had been transformed into an apartment
that was coZy and charming to a degree.
A huge circular table capable of seating
about fifty guests was set In the center of
the room All around it and about ten
feet back was a wall of tropical plants
with entrances at regular intervals. so that
the guests sat in a perfect bower of plants
and flowers. The space inside the table
rlnfn J, lvv,.
tropical growths and mammoth vases full
of gorgeous American beauty roses. The
center palm rose to the ceiling, and about
it was banked a profusion Of others.
Through it all perfect maze of tiny
electric lights in colored globes, giving a
fairy-like effect to the scene. 1t was. in
way, reproduction of the beautiful foun-
tain in the center of the big inaugural
ball ROOM and called forth the unstinted
admiration of all present
striking feature of the decorations in
the space inside the table was a pair of
magnificent japanese bronze vases. They
We're quite five feet in height, without the
pedestals. and We're ornately decorated with
beautifully carved figures. Each was filled
with a mass Of long-stemmed American
Beauty roses. The vases came in for full
share of admiration. but they took an
added interest to those who were not In
the secret when the toastmaster. in the
course of his opening remarks, announced
that the vases were intended present
and q testimonial from the committee to
Mr.. Bell, to remind him in coming Years of
the pleasant relations that had existed be-
tween him and his associates in the inaugu-
ration of President Mckinley 1t was a
magnificent present, and, needless to say,
Mr.: Bell appreciated it highly.
Mr.. Myron NJ. Parker acted as toast
raster at the banquet with the greatest
tact, and IN introducing, or, rather calling
upon each speaker, said Just the few pleas
ant words needed to start him off at his
best. Occupying the seats of honor were
Mr.
Mckinley's secretary, who was present to
represent the President. Among others
who sat near by were Col. j. G. Berret who
acted as chairman of the executive COM
mittee at both inaugurations Of Mr.. Cleve-
land: Mr.. A. T. Britton, who was chair
man when President Harrison was inducted
into office, end Mr. John w. Thompson.
who performed like service for President
Garfield
The progress that has been made of re-
cent years Ill the elaboratepess of the in
augural ceremonies was remarked uIon
several times during the evening but new
er more happily than by Col Berret who
when called upon for speech spoke most
entertainfngly of other inaugurations. He
described at some length the exercises at
tending the Inauguration of Gen. Har-
rison as he remembered them after the
lapse of fifty-six years. Gen. Harrison
insisted upon the severest simplicity and
even refused to ride from the railroad
station to the city hall where a recep-
ton was held. because the gentleman
whose carriage had been placed at his dis
posal, Gen. Van Ness, was a typical aris-
tocrat and the carriage was drawn by
lour white horses. He preferred to walk
and, accompanied by the mayor Of the
city, waded through the snow and slush
rather than sit in carriage drawn by
Iour horses Times have changed since
then. and Col. Berret depicted the devel-
opment down to the recent ceremony when
nothing seemed too elegant to suit the pop
Glar taste of the American people, who
now ike to see their President inaugu-
rated with fitting dignity and display.
Inc special committee in charge of the
banquet last evening consisted of Messrs
M M, M; Parker, A. T. Britton. H. A. Will
iard, J. e. Berret and George H. Walker
one OF the secretaries of the executive
committee.
Those present at the banquet, includ-
ing few who were not members Of
Bell, Parker. Porter, Senator Hanna, Sec
retary Long and Messrs. Crosby S. Noyes
A. I. Britton. ]. G. Berret, H. A. Willard,
Henry p. Davis, R. Ross Perry. Simon
" woodward. John Joy Edison, John w.
thompson. Gen. H. V. Boynton, Beriah
wilkins. George Gibscn, Col. Cecil Clay,
Capt, Capt James q. Bell. NJ NJ. Holland, Thos
Brackett, NJ. l. Weller. T. E. Roessle.
Clarence F. Norment Edward McCauley,
John G F. Cook, G. G. Glover, Lawrence
car Galdner. r James L; Norris. Chaplin Brown
Mr. Parker started the ball rolling when
the cigars were lighted, by making short
aadress. n which he testified to the un-
firing zAal and industry with which Mr.
Bell ha1 performed his important task,
and paid a tribute to the success which
had crowned his efforts.
In reply Mr.. Bell insisted that very little
credit was due to him. for his labors had
been very much lightened by the skill and
devotion which every member of the COM
mlttee had shown in tending to the ini-
portant matters intrusted to him. He
sndnhed and for ths them all for what they had done
and. not least of all, for the handsome
testimonial he had received from his as
Mr.. J. Addison Porter WAS then called
upon; and made a charming speech, In
which ne took occasion % express the
gratincation which President Mckinley
felt at the success which had attended
oil the details Of his Inauguration. Sena-
tor Hanna also spoke briefly.
Before the party adjeurned, many of the
members We're called upon by Mr.. Parker,
and made pleasant little speeches, testify
Ing to their appreciated Of Mr. Bells