The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-04
GRIDIRON CLUB DINNER
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS ENTER
TANNED IN A PECULIAR WAY.
Speeches by President Mckinley, Adj
miraI schIey, General Shafter,
Lord HerscheI and Others.

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 Presi-
dent and Vice President members of the
Cabinet, the President of Costa Rica, the
premier of Canada, the entire joint high
American-Canadian commission General
Garcia, the most prominent officers of the
army and navy, senator's, representatives,
and many other distinguished men. More
than 100 people were assembled in the beau
tifully decorated dining hall Of the Airing
ton Hotel.
The dinner was in a measure conducted
on lines of compliment and honor to men
who distinguished themselves by both land
and sea in the late war. Ovations were
given to the President, Admiral Schley and
General Shafter when they rose to speak,
while other speakers received liberal APP
plause. Although the dinner was on the
lines indicated, wit and burlesque were in
terspersed, that the guests were never
allowed to get away from the Gridiron
method of conducting a dinner. President
Frank H. Hosford presided in admirable
manner. He was very fortunate in his in
Productions of prominent guests, and with
sentiment, wit and satire conducted the
features of the dinner to most satisfactory
conclusion.
Speeches are always short at Gridron
dinners and there was no exception to the
rule tonight. Remarks were made by the
President, the Vice President, the President
of Costa RIGA, Lord Herschell, Sir Wilfred
Laurier, Secretary Hay, Secretary Long.
Postmaster General Smith, Admiral Schley,
No ta
Sigsbee, Senator Lodge, Col. J. w. Foster
and others.
The menu was in keeping with the other
features of the evening. There were several
pages in imitation of 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 dining room from to u
o'clock This was followed by a series of
orders in military style, directing the var
ious committees of the club to prepare the
different features of the entertainment and
to assume such duty as is usually per-
formed by them. The guests were grouped
in divisions of volunteers and in orders, very
direct and explicit, were 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 various
divisions were represented as charging
through the Champagne river toward the
several quibs in special orders directed at
the prominent guests of the evening which
added to the merry feature of the occasion
Among the features was burlesque m
vestigation of the conduct OF the war when
conveyed some@ of the more humorous ran
ceS of the real investigation. Members OF
the committee brought in immense stacks OF
testimony also large volumes or reports,
and made frequent hits which took OIL some
of the guests and caused great amusement.
The report concluded with the finding that
there was war; that Spain got licked ana
that the Anglo-SaXons stood together. AS
this was done the American and British
flags were unveiled as a compliment to the
Canadian members Of the joint high COM
mission.
Another feature was the appearance of
Uncle Sam with a number of colored chill
dren dressed to represent the tlllplnos. ana
a play was made up on the new conditions
brought about by the Philippines becoming
a part OF the United States. A very laugh
able slzit was the presentation OF a morse If
to Gen II. V. Boynton who is one OF the
charter members of the club, and who also
holds a military commission in the army:
The horse was one of the stage variety, ana
it's appearance caused great deal or HI
larity.
present were the following: William Nc
Kinley, President of the United States;
Senior Don Iglesias, President OF Costa
Rica; Garrett A. Hobart, Vice President OF
the United States; the Right Hon Lord
Farrer Herschel, C. {. B.. England; Sir
Wilfrid Laurier, premier of Canada; Sir
James Winter, premier of Newfoundland
and commerce, Canada: Sir Louis Davies
minister of marine and fisheries, Canada
Senior Don Joaquin Bernardo Calvo, minister
of Costa Rica; the Hon. John Charlton, NJ
P. Canada; Hon. John Hay, secretary of
state: Hon. Lyman ]. Gage, secretary of
the treasury; Hon. John W.. Griggs attor-
ney general: Hon. Charles Emory Smith.
postmaster general: Hon. John ID. Long,
secretary of the navy; Hon. James Wilson,
secretary of agriculture; Lieut.. Gen. John
NJ Schofeld United States army, retired
Mai Gen. Nelson A. Miles, commanding
United States army; Rear Admiral Winfield
s. Schley, United States navy; Maj. Gen.
William r. Shafter, United States volun-
teers: Mai Gen. Henry w. Lawton, United
States volunteers; Mai. Gen. ID. L. Mertva-
60 Russian embassy; Maj. Gen. Calixto
Garcia. Cuban army of liberation; Rear Ad-
miral A w. Weaver. United States navy,
retired; Brig. Gen. Joseph C.. Breckinridge,
United States army: Brig. Gen. Thaddeus
II. Stanton. United States army; Brig
Gen. Henry c. Corbin. United States
army; Brig. Gen NJ l. Luding-
ton United States army: Brig. Gen.
Charles p. Eagan United States army;
Capt. Alfred Paget II. n, British embassy:
Capt. Charles d. Sigsbee. United States
navy; Capt. Royal b. Bradford United
States navy: Col. William u. Carter. United
States army; Col. Charles Haywood. United
States marine corps: Col George Fl. Har-
ries. United States volunteers: Major Japaes
NJ L