The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-05-09
C. P. HUNTINGToN'S GUESTS.
HE GAVE HIS ANNUAL DINNER
SATURDAY.
Southern Pacific Officials and
Heads Of Departments
Participate.

SAN FRANCISCO, May S.-President
c. P. Huntington of the Southern Pa
cific Company entertained over 100
heads of departments and other officers
and employees of the railroad at his res
idenee on California street last even
ing. The occasion of the gathering was
the annual dinner which for years it has
been Mr.. Huntington's custom to give
before concluding his visit to the coast.
The event last evening was more sump-
tuous and more enjoyable, if that be
possible, than any of the preceding af-
fairs of the kind ever held at the big
mansion on the HILL
The spacious ballroom of the Hunt
ington residence, which serves the pur-
pose of an art gallery except on occa
sions such as that of last evening, was
the scene of the festivities. The tables
were arranged in the shape of horse
shoe and were decorated with a splen-
dor and magnificence probably never
exceeded at any function of the kind
ever given in San Francisco. 1t re-
quired the services of large corps of
florists for a day to arrange the floral
decorations. Roses were the only flow
ers used in the establishment of the
banquet hall, and thousands of the
choicest and most fragrant blossoms
We're employed in the artistic adorn
ment of the tables.
President Huntington presided at the
head of the table. Isaac L. Requa and
Horace K. Platt sat at his right AMI
Irving NJ. Scott and w. F. Herrin were
Immediately at his left. H. E. Hunting
ton and j. Kruttschnitt presided at the
ends of the two wings of the long table.
After all present had done full justice
to a most appetizing menu, Mr. Hunt
ington called the gathering to order and
addressed the company briefly.
Another Of the f1eeting years which
mark the passage Of men and events
has rolled around and brought us once
mere together" he said. Il cannot ade-
quately tell you how much it gratifies
me to grasp hands again and welcome
you to my home. 1 would that our an
nual roll call might show no gaps and
that every year, as / look into your
friendly and smiling countenances, 1
might not have to look in vain for some
OF the absent ones. But since we were
last together three of our immediate
number have fallen at the post of duty,
and the recollection of their genial per-
sopalities alone remains.
"As I recall our last reunion, only one
short year ago, it seems to me that in
the death of such men as Mr. Gray, Mr..
Smurr and Mr.. Wilder we have suffered
an irreparable misfortune We all knew
them so well, and they seemed so close
to us. Each in his department. sought
faithfully and conscientiously to do his
full duty to the company and to his fell
lows. You may hear from more elo-
quent lips than mine fitting eulogies
upon their virtues, but no heart beats
tonight that renders to them a more
just appreciation of their worth than
my own, and none can feel more kindly
and sadly the extent of the loss we have
sustained
Il am not going to make a speech.
gentlemen, but shall say only a few
words. For remember on the occasion
of our last meeting the night was be-
ginning to grow old before the last
toast was reached, and perhaps some
of you who had long distances to go felt
somewhat impatient to get to your
homes. Perhaps I was largely to blame
for it, because what said took up an
appreciate part of the time I should
have given to others
You are my guests tonight and /
want to hear you talk more, / am sure,
than you want to hear me. 1t may be
that | shall. a little later, infiict upon
you some brief written memoranda of
things I would like to have you read
and which in that way I can more sat
isfactorily express, for am not at my
best when I am on my feet. You are TO
talk to each other tonight as friends
and brothers. There is no jealousy
here, for we have met as comrades.
There is no envy, unless it be my own,
when / listen to the speeches of those
here who are blessed with the delightful
gift of oratory. If we are not all Of one