Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-12-05
THE GRIDIRON CLUB DINNER.
TheGridiron club in nWashingtonSatur-

IneGrlulr0n cluD ID w WaSnlneGonSatu1'
day night gaveIa most notable dinner, ,en.
pertaining DISTINGUISHED guests from the
United States, Europe and other parts
of the world. In the company were
the President, Vice-President, members
of the cabinet, the President of Costa
Rica, the Premier of Canada, the entire
joint high American Canadian commits
sion, General Garcia, the most pre-
minent officers of the army and navy,
Senators, Representatives and many
other distinguished men. More than
one hundred and sixty people were as
sembled in the beautiful dining hall OF
The Arlington hotel.
Toe dinner was in measure conduct
ed on lines of compliment and honor to
men who distine uished themselves on
both land and sea in the late war. Great
ovation were given to the President,
Admiral Schley and General Shafter
when they arose to speak, while other
speakers received most generous con.
sidvralion. Although the dinner was
apon the lines indicated, wit and burles-
que was cleverly interspersed with the
patriotic sentiment, so that at all times.
the guests were never allowed to get
away from the Gridiron method of con.
ductiDg dinner.
President Frank II. Hosford presid-
ed in an admirable manner. He was
very fortunate in his introduction OF
prominent guests, and with sentiment,
wit and satire conducted the features OF
the dinner to most satisfactory con-
cusion. Speeches are always short at
Gridiron dinners and there was no e1-
ception OF this rule Saturday night.
Remarks were made by the President,
the Vice President, the President OF
Costa Rica, Lord Herschell, Sir Wilfred
Lsurier, Secretary Long, Secretary
Hay, Postmaster General Emery Smith,
Admiral Schlev, General Shafter, Gen
eral Garcia, Captain Sigsbee, Senator
Lodge, Mr.. Foster and others.
The menu was in keeping with the
other features of the evening. There
we're several pages in imitation OF army
orders beginning with a proclamation
of the president of the club calling on
volunteers (guests) to assist the regulars
of the club at the engagement in the
Arlington diuing room from 8 to Il
O'Clock. This was followed by series
of orders in military style, directing the
various committees OF the club to pre-
pare the different features of entertain
ment, and to assume such duty as is
usually performed by them. The guests
were grouped in divisions Of volunteers
and ordered to ''keep in the liue of fire,
during the entire engagement. A map
of the battle ground was one OF the
unique features in which the various
divisions were represented as charging
through the champagne river toward
the table heights where they were sup
posed to have captured ''soou won
hill" There were several quips in
special orders directed at the promi'
nent guests of the evening, which add
ed to the merry feature of the occasion.
Among the features was hurlesque
investiga ion of the conduct OF the war
which conveyed some of the more hum
orous fancies OF the real Investigation.
Members of the committee brought in
immense stacks of testimony, also large
volume of reports and different exhibits
which took off some of the guests and
caused great amusement The report
concluded with the finding that there
was a war; that Spain got licked and
that the ADglo-Ssxon stood together:
AS this was done the American and
British flags were unveiled as com,
pliment to the Canadian members OF
the Joint high commission. Another
feature was the appearance of Uucle
Sam with q number of colored children