Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-04
GRIDIRON CLUB,
Gives Oae of It's Justly Famous Ban
Quets at Washingtol---A Notable
Event.

Washington, December 3.-The Grid.
iron Club tonight save a most notable
dinner, entertaining distinguished
guests from the United States, Europe
and other parts of the world. In tn
company were the President, Vice
President, members CT the cabinet. Tie
President of Costa RIca, the Premier
of Canada, the entire joint high Amefi-
can-Canadian commission, Gen. Garcia,
the most prominent Cheers Of the
army and navy, Senators, Representa-
tives and many other distinguished
men. More than one hundred and siN
ty people were assemDied in the beauu-
Iuny uecorated G}nlEs room OF the AT
llipRten lot a. sssa,4 q
tsraal oyations we're gwen 70 the
President. Admiral Sch4cy and General
Shafter when they arose 10 speak, whHS
others speakers reteiyed most gener-
Gus consideration. Wit ana burlesque
were cleverly inJsrspersed, so that the
guests were never allowed TO get away
from the Gridiron method of conduct
ing a dinner.
Speeches were always short at Grid
iron dinners, and there was no excep-
ton to the rule tonight.
The menu was in keeping with the
other features OF the evening. There
were several pages III imitation OF army
orders, beginning with a proclamation
of the president of the club, calling on
volunteers (guests) to assist the re-
gulars OF the club at the engagement
in the Arlington dining room, from 8
to IL O'Clock. This was followed by a
series of orders, in military style, d.
rectng the various committees of the
club to prepare the different features
of entertainment, and. to assume sueh
duty as is usually performed by them.
The guests were grouped in divisions
of volunteers and in orders very direct
and explicit, required to keep in the
line of FIRE" during the entire engage
ment.
A map Of the battle ground was one
of the unique features in which the va
rious divisions were represented as
charging through the champagne river
toward the table heights, where they
were supposed to have captured Soon
Won HILL" There were several quips
directed at the prominent guests OF the
evening. which added to the merry fea-
lures OF the occasion.
Among the features was a burlesque
investigation of the conduct of the war,
which conveyed some Of the more
humorous fancies of the real inve5tiga-
ton. Members of the committee
brought in immense stacks Of testi-
mony. also large volumes Of reports,
and different exhibitions which took
some of the guests and caused great
amusement. The report concluded
with the finding that there was war;
that Spain got licked, and that the
Ambassadors stood together. AS this
was done the American and British
flags were unveiled as compliment to
the Canadian menD ers Of the joint high
commission.
Another feature was the appearance
of Uncle Sam with a number Of colored
children dressed to represent the phil
ippines, and a play was made upon the
new population which would he ac-
auired by the Philippines becoming a
part OF the United States.
A very laughable skit was the pre-
sentation OF horse 10 Gen. II. V. Boyn
ton. who is one OF the charter members
of the club and also holds commission
in the army. The horse was one OF
the stage variety, and its appearance
caused a great deal Of hilarity.