The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-04
ATTEND A CLUB DINNER
MINGLED WITH PA
TRIOTIC SENTIMENT.
THE WAR INVESTIGATION BURLs$QUED
0vations to Mex nIpy, TO Shafter ard to SchIey.
Remarks by Lord HerscheII, Sir Viii
fcrd Laurier and President
of Costa Rica,
of Costa Rica.

OF Costa hlca.
Washington, Dec. 3.-The Gridiron
club tonight gave a most notable dinner
entertaining distinguished guests from
the United States, Europe and other
parts of the world. In the company
were the President, Vice-President mem-
bers of the Cabinet, the President of
Costa Rica, the Premier of Canada, the
entire joint American-Canadian commits
sion, General Garcia, the most prom nent
officers of the army and navy, Sena-
tors, Representatives and many other
distinguished men. More than $50 peo-
pie We're assembled in the beautifully
decorated dining hall of the Arlington
Hotel.
The dinner was in a measure con-
Quoted on lines of compliment and honor
to men who distinguished themselves on
both land and sea in the late war. Great
ovations were given to the President,
Admiral Schley and General Shaftcr
when they arose to speak, while other
speakers received most generous con-
sideration. Although the dinner was
lesque were cleverly interspersed with
patriotic sentiment, SO that at all times
the guests were never allowed to get
away from the Gridiron method of con-
Quoting a dinner.
Remarks were made 10y the President,
the Vice-President. the President OF
Costa Rica, Lord Herschell, Sir Wilfred
Laurier, Secretary Long, Secretary Hay,
Postmaster General Emory Smith, Ad-
miral Schley, General Shafter, General
Garcia, Captain Sigsbee, Senator Lodge,
Mr.. Foster and others.
The menu was in keeping with the
other features of the evening. There
were several pages in imitation of army
orders beginning with Il proclamation of
the President of the club calling on vol
unteers guests, to assist the regulars
of the club at the engagement in the
Arlington dining room from s to II
o'clock. This was followed by a series
of orders in military style, directing the
various committees of the club to prepare
the different features of entertainment
and to assume such duty as is usually
performed by them. The guests were
grouped in division of volunteers and
in orders very direct and explicit required
To keep in the line of fire" during the
entire engagement. a map Of the bat
tie ground was one of the unique fea-
lures in which the various 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 in special orders di-
rected 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 hui
morous fancies Of the real investigation.
Members of the committee brought in
immense sticks of testimony, also large
volumes of reports aud different exhibits
which took off 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 Anglo-SaXOns stoGd togeiner
AS this was done the American and
British flags were unfurled as comph-
ment to the Canadian members of the
joint high commission. Another feature
was the appearance of Uncle Sam with
a number of colored children dressed
to represent the FilipinOs, and Il play
was made upon the now population
which would he acquired by the Philip
pines becoming part of United States.
A very laughable skit was the presen-
tation of horse to General II. V. BQyn-
tom who is one of the charter members
of the club and also holds a brigadier'S
commission in the army. The horse was
one of the stage variety, and Its APP
pearancc caused a great deal of hilarity.