The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-04
A GR|D|RON CLUB DINNER.
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY AND OTHER
DISTINGUISHED MEN PRESENT.
the banquet, the Leading Eea-
ture Of Which Was the Military
Aspect Given It-VsuaI BurlesQue.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-Tne Gridiron
Club tonight gave a most notable dinner.
entertaining distinguished guests from the
United States, Europe and other parts or
the world. In the company were the pres'-
dent, vice president, members OF the cab
met. the president Of Costa Rica, the pre-
mier Of Canada, the entire joint American
Canadian commission, Gen. Garcia, the
most prominent officers OF the army and
navy, senators. representatives. and many
other distinguished men.
More than 16e persons were assembled in
the beautiful decorated dining hail OF the
Arlington hotel.
The dinner was In measure conducted
on lines of compliment and honor to men
who distinguished themselves by both land
and sea in the late war.
Great ovations were given TO the presi-
dent, Admiral Schley and Gen. Shafter
when they arose TO speak, while others re-
ceiyed most generous consideration.
Although the dinner was Or the lines in
dicated. Wit and burlesque were inter-
spersed with the patriotic sentiments, SO
that at all times the guests were never
allowed TO get away from the Grdiron
method of conducting a dinner.
President Frank II. Hosford presided in
an admirable manner. He was very for
tunate in his introductions of prominent
conducted the features OF the dinner to a
most satisfactory conclusion
Speeches are always. short at Gridiron
dinners. and there was no exception to the
rule tonight.
Remarks were made by the president,
the vice president. the president Of Costa
Rica. Lord Herschell Sir Wilfrid Laurier,
nas Ham L9ng se bGss
Gen. Shafter. Gen. Garcia. Capt. Sissbee,
Senator Lodge. Mr.. Foster and others.
The menu was in keeping with the other
features OF the evening There were sew
NJ he-
ginning with the proclamation of the pres
dent of the club calling on volunteers
tguests) 70 assist the regulars Of the club
81 the engagement in the Arlington dining
room from to IL o'clock. This was fol-
lowed by series Of orders In military
style directing the various companies of
the club TO prepare the different features
Of the entertainment. and 10 assume such
duty as is usually performed by them. The
guests were grouped iii divisions OF volun-
teers, aud in orders very direct and ex.
plicit required to keep In the line of
fire" during the entire engagement.
A map OF the battle-ground was one OF the
unique features. in which the various di-
visions We're represented as charging
through the Champagne river toward the
Table heights. where they were supposed
TO have captured Soon won hill
There We're several quips in special order
directed at the prominent guests Of the
evening. which added to the merry feature
of the occasion.
Among the features was a buriesque IN
which conveyed some OF the more humor-
GUS fancies Of the really unique demon
stration.
Members of the committee brought in
immense stacks Of testimony, also large
volumes OF reports and exhibits which took
of 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 Anglo-Saxons
stood together. AS this was done the
American and British flags were unveiled
as compliment 20 the Canadian members
OF the joint high commission.
Another feature was the appearance OF
Uncle Sam with a number of colored chill
dren dressed TO represent the Ffliplnos and
a play was made up OF the new population
which would be acquired by the Philippines
becoming a part OF the United States
A very laughable sketch was the present
alton OF horse to Gen. II, V. Boynton.
who IS one of the charter members OF the
club. who also has a military commission
In the army.
The horse was one OF the stage variety
and it's appearance caused great deal of
hilarity.