The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-29
PEACE TREATY ON
THE GRIDIR0N.
The WeII-KnOwa Organization Rati-
fes It in Executive Session."
GREAT SECRECY MAINTAINED,
But rs Usual the Newspapers Give
Full Particulars and Detailed Vote
Many Prominent Men aud Some
Amusing Incidents

WASHINGTON. Jan. 2S.-Thc Grid-lron
club gave It's fourteenth annual dinner
at the Arlington Hotel tonight The
club is composed of forty Washington
newspaper correspondents. who have a
speciality for the entertainment of dis
unguished guests at dinners Of a unique
character. The dinner tonight Was no
exception and has added another notable
and picturesque performance TO the credit
of the club More than one hundred
and seyenty-hve persons Were present I'M
Guiding men from every sphere of public
life. and from different quarters of the
globe. Many features OF entertainment
were introduced such as bur.esqulus
events of the day. touching upon topics
of general interest and humOrOusly im-
personatine prominent men. who were
guests of the evening The speeches and
features were nterspersed with SONGS
bv the club Quartette. solos and witty
Interruptions and observations. General
Henry v. Boynton. the newly elected
president OF the club. occupied the head
of the table. Grouped about him were
men whose fame has extended whereter
the English language is read and spoken
A BRILLIANT SCENE.
The dinine-rOom az the Arlington was
handsomely decorated with North Caro-
lima laurel. hung with festoons OF pink
ribbons. The tables which were ar
RANGED to resemble d grid-iron were COW
cred with ferns. i'm which pink roses and
orchids were embedded a blazing grid
iron inst back OF the president threw a
lustre over the scene and was reflected
In the plate glass Of the room.
President Boynton, in patriotic utter
,nce opened with "a toast 90 the President
~ the United States. This is an innova-
tion. He concluded the toast as TO-
lows: ~.
And tonight il shall be 20 that Pres
ident under whose mastery guidance the
marvellous results Of the year have been
wrought out .,..
Among the speakers OF the evening
were Senators Frye, German lu ran
.r Secretary Wilson Mr. Koruna, tne
ta',a,ese Minister. General Corbin, Ad-
n,iral Schley. Mr. Depew, Mr.. Alien and
senator GRAY Of Delaware, a member OF
the Peace Commission.
The initiation of Mr.. Henry Hall Afford
"a an opportunity for play upon ihe
Normnn question. A. he came into the
.oo,n ne was followed by four alleged
wives personated by members of the
ch.b in female costume. who were at
tached to him by gaiycoiOred ribbons.
MIR Hall was not allowed admission 20
the club until divorces had been secured,
which were speedily granted with the
assistance Of Chicago lawyer The
waiiing grass-widows We're provided FOR
by lottery. each pulling out Of basket
a large card with the name of some
prominent guest attached. a proceeding
which created much mirth.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Tho Gridiron Club ratified the treaty
Of peace. A mock executive session Of
the Senate was held. different members
OF the club impersonating various sena-
tors prominently identified either for or
against the treaty, and after brief dis
cussiOn and several very funny Incl
dents. the treaty was finally ratified.
President Boynton then declared that the
greatest secrecy be maintained as 10
the action taken, stating on no account
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