Bridgeton pioneer., 1899-04-27
THE BANQUET.

A Splendid Occasion and Very Eloquent
and Well Presented Speeches by
the Visitors Present.
The banquet given at the Hotel Cum
berland Thursday night, which marked
the twenty-seventh anniversary of the
Bridgeton Board of Trade, proved one of
those pleasing, highly successful events
that reflects credit immeasurable upon
those who are responsible for the occa-
sion and the manner in which the detailed
arrangements are carried out.
The Bridgeton Board of Trade has had
banquets previously, and it has been it's
good fortune to have as guests, men who
have the happy faculty of making after
dinner speeches, but there has been no
previous occasion when there were so
many prominent men at the guest table,
or speeches that were more fitting for the
occasion, nor more happily presented.
The fact that nearly all of the speeches
last night were extemperaneous, and pre-
sented upon the inspiration of the occa-
sion and surroundings made them all the
more pleasing, bright and free from the
form that too often dulls the piquant
brilliancy of set speech.
The Board of Trade was represented
at the banquet by its representative MEM
bers, and they must have been very much
pleased with the manifest pleasure of
those outside the mem bership. who were
present, either as special guests or par
ticipants of the occasion.
The Hotel Cum berland was, from eight
in the evening until one O'Clock Friday
morning, the scene of brilliancy and
good cheer Between eight and half past
nine O'Clock, the parlors and corridors
upon the second floor, were crowded
with the representative men of the city,
many attired in full evening dress, pay
ing their respects to the distinguished
gentlemen, who honored the occasion
with their presence.
These guests were Governor Foster M.
VOORHEES,, Congressman H. G. Louden-
slayer, Senator E. G. Stokes, Judge
Joseph n. Gaskill, Burlington county,
and Robert Gwynne. Mayor of Salem.
There were also prominent in the gather
ing Internal Revenue Collector Isaac
Moffett, of Gloucester county, and D. A.
Hayes, of Philadelphia.
The reception was very pleasant one,
and the business men of this community
gave hearty greeting to the gentlemen.
Particularly warm was the welcome
rendered to Governor Foster M. Voor-
hees and Congressman Loudenslager.
Both of these distinguished gentlemen
are almost at home here, so we'll are they
known. but their previous visits have
been largely political, and it was all the
more pleasing and delightful to greet
these men personally. and honor them
for the distinguished services they have
rendered the people and their State.
Judge Gaskill and the others we're also
introduced to the business folk of this
community and their charm of manner,
and the evident genuine pleasure they ex-
hibited in being here, greatly attached
everyone to them.
1t was little more than half-past nine
O'Clock, when Councilman George A.
Bowen, President of the Board, led the
way to the big banquet hall, escorting
Governor Voorhees,. The other guests
were personally conducted to the tables
by members of the organization.
The scene in the dining room was a
pretty one. Two great tables running all
the length of the room and where joined
at the head by the guest table. Banks of
palms and ferns, blooming flowers and
pretty delicate lilies were everywhere in
evidence, and at each plate was bouton-
Mere.
It was an impressive scene, after all
had entered the room and were for a
moment standing. when Rev. s. w. Beach
invoked the blessings of the Almighty
upon the association.
The menu was superb and the service
was beyond criticism, it being as follows:
Menu.
Blue Points. Mock Turtle,
Boiled Rock.
Potato Croquettes.
Roast Quail.
Cranberry Sauce.
Peas. Celery.
Roman Punch. Sailed Almonds.
Creamed Oysters.
Chicken Salad. Salted Waters.
Tutti Frutti.
Macaroons. Cakes. Fruit.
Coffee.
Hard Crackers.
English Dairy. Roouefort.
Segars.
The speech making did not begin until
eleven O'Clock, and President Bowen
presented A. R. Fithian' Esq, as toast
master for the occasion. Admirably Mr..
Fithian filled the important position, and
his introductions were happy and most
appropriate. Particularly we'll did be
present Governor Voorhees,, referring
more especiallg to the manner in which
the States Chief Magistrate had pre-
formed the exacting duties devolving
upon him during the war. Mr.. Fithian
also briefly called attention to the yarious