New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-29
NEWSPAPER MEN MAKE MERRY.
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL DINNER OF THE
GRIDIRON CLUB OF WASHINGTON


Washington. Jan. %-The Gridron Club gave IFS
fourteenth annual dinner at the Arlington Hote'
tonight. The club Is composed of forty Washing
ton newspaper correspondents. At the dinner
more than us persons were present. General
Henry V. Boynton. the newly elected president Of
the club occupied the head Of the table. Grouped
about him many wel-known men. The dining
room handsomely decorated with North Caro-
Ira laurel with festoons OF pink ribbons The
tables. which were arranged 10 resemble grid
iron. were covered with ferns in which pink roses
and orchids embedded. blazing gr'diron
hung Just back OF the president.
President Boynton opened the exercises with a
toast TO the President OF the United States, an
innovation which he commended saying:
In this new time the Grdiron Club desires TO
make new suggestion concerning toasts 10 the
President OF the United States There is an Anglo
Saxon nation across the sea whose boast Tor many
decades has been that II rules the waves and mat
the sun never sets on Its domnons a, AL MS
wave within the tropics. the first toast ~ ne
Queen" There Is now another Anglo-saxon Nation
this side of the sea. upon whose flag OF stars the
Sun snec bad sSndes for the Nation calling
it in the twnkling OF an eye to life TO wider
responsibilities TO broader fields OF patriotic effort:
the earth Let Anglo Saxon forms follow drum
beat around the world and at al our h src,ic
Circle. where temperate regions smile, or where
ropc airs blow softly. let the first toast be always
President under whose mastery guidance the mar
vellous resources OF years have been wrought out
Among the speakers were Senators Frye and
Foraker Secretary Wilson. Mr.. WI. the Chinese
Minister; Mr.. Kumura, the Japanese Minister Gen
eral Corbn. Admiral Schley, Mr. Depew MT.
OMeara and Mr. Allen The menu was calendar
for 1899 the months surrounding Jolly looking
monk who held a grdiron TO his breast and seemed
10 invite enjoyment and promise good cheer lie
stood at the opening Of n kitchen on doorsill
marked with the latin word Pax, as typical OF
the peace soon expected
The initiation of Henry Hall afforded an oppor-
tunty for a play on the Mormon question. Az he
into the room he was followed by four alleged
wives Jersonated by members of the club In female
costumes. who attached TO him by gayly col
ored ribbons. Mr.. Hall not allowed admission
10 the club until divorces had been secured, which
speedily granted with the assistance OF chi
cago lawyer The wailing grass widows were pro-
vlded for by lottery. each pulling out OF basket
large card with the name Of some guest attacheu'
a proceeding which created much m'rth
The club ratified the treaty of peace. mock
executive session of the Senate was held difrer-
ent members OF the club mpersonated various sena-
prominent for against the treaty, ana AFTER
a brief discussion and several funny incidents
the treaty was finally ratified President Boynton
then declared that the greatest secrecy mus De
maintained. saying that on no account sh3ua 3 n
proceedings In executive session De aIlo"eu 70 De
come pubic As he ceased speaking a great clanoT
was heard outside, and Crosby 5. Moves EHitor Oh
The star came n at one door with arm W Ia5Ee
Beriah Wilkins Editor of The Post" entered at
another with as many extra Posts. cries OF
Extra Star" and Extra Post" - together with
All about the ratification Of the peace treaty In
executive session." loudly voiced by the two
editors and the papers containing the detailed vote
and the proceedings OF the executive session were
distributed among the guests, TO the great amuse
ment OF many Senators present.
The swearing-in of Chauncey NJ. Depew furnished
another feature that was appreciated by everybody
present and by more than Mr.. Depew nm
self A member Of the club personatinG Senator
Plat insisted Mr.. Depews being sworn. ana a
representation OF a large book labelled Depew
Jokes" stalked in. After some objections ana ue-
bate the oath OF Office was administered. and the
book was directed to be conducted to the Senate
restaurant a little later II insisted that the
proceedings irregular, and that the other par
Of Mr. Depew should have something TO say. rms
was agreed to, a curtain was drawn aside. ana a
photograph In fun view began TO grind out some OF
Mr.. Depew's stories.
The comforting OF ten-year medals afforded an
other opportunity for fun but In this instance the
members Of the club were put on the gridron.
Civil Service examination was held. and the mem
beers receiving medals were catechised on different
subjects and ach made TO perform some spe-
cialty.