The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1898-01-13
'P0sSUm AND 'TATERS FEAST.
Georgia Statesmen and Politicians Toast
Their Fayorite Dish.

dOt6S Blu tAcAangluS poItlcaI con
fdences, merry hammered and as
light-hearted as school boys, the
most prominent men from every
walk Of life in Georgia assemled
here tonight to hustle out the failing
year and to make plans for the new
conner while discussing the typical
Southern dish, 'possum.
The sight presented at the smok-
ing pits to night WAS worth coming
miles to witness
The supper" as it is called, is
given once d year, and every body
who is nybody in the state looks
forward to each occasion as en- even!
Of extreme importance.
To these feasts are hidden men
who have controlled the des!inies of
state for years, shrewd politicians
who are anxious to strengthen their
influence; statesmen who gladly
seize the opportunity to keep politi-
cally in touch with the elect of the
state, and other persons of a purely
convival nature, who are useful in
lending an airy background to the
stern picture of energetic political
scheming, which is bound to take
place under cover of the savCry
vapors which ascend from the boil
ing pots.
On this occasion the festivities
opened early in the evening with an
informal reception to Gov. Atkinson.
Staid officials and politicians threw
dignity to the winds and the chief
executive WAS the center of throng
that was as industrious in circulating
the joke and raising the laugh a. a
bevy of girls.
Prominent lawyers and Supreme
court justices were conspicuous, and
the disjointed conversation glowed
with scintillatiug wit and mirth-
provoking story. This continued
until about 9 o'clock, when uni
versal and Insistent cry of "'possum,
possum,' assembled from the ever
increasing throng. This is the time
honored and pre-arranged method
of opening the annual eating and
toasting, and the guests settled
down to the generous tables, dug
their forks in the appetiziDg and
delicious rodent before them and
the supper was "on."
The active political heeling of the
evening was over, and the jollity
reigned supreme.
Governor Atkinson responded tc
the toast on The State AdmInistra
ton" with a grace that brought the
greasy faced enthusiasts to their fee'
with resounding whoops.
Chief Justice Simons followed
with our Court OF Last Resort,
and for a while the possum lay
, aghast, deserted while the merry
makers listened to the eloquence o
the barrister.
Clark Howell discoursed on 9TH,
National Democracy"
United States Senator A. S. Cha,
responded to the toast, The Stat,
Democracy" and, gesticulating will
the rear joint of juicy possum
made the hit of the evening.
Ex-Congressman Carlson, speaking
/ for The Press" e!oquently review
: ed the history of the 'possum a
, connected with politics and news
: papers. and was applauded by tn
jewellers with vociferous energy.
Gen. Clement A. Evans brough
the tears to the eyes of his hearer
in describing The Old Soldier il
Peace"
The toasting ended and informs
conversation was resumed, som
eminent lawyer or politician occe
sionally interruptlng his friend t
the pit and secure a fresh suppl
; of Georgia food and succulen
'taters.
Once more the guests were Gale
to order and r L. Berner delivere
the last toast, on "Possum an
Taters " While he was still speal
ing the clock struck Il, the guest
D vociferously shouted out odd Lam