The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-29
GRIDIRON CLUB HUMOR
NIGHT OF FUN WITH WASHINGTON
NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS.
Initiation of standardized Depew and
@AIOrmOn" HaII-Senate Executive
Session BurIesqued.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-The Gridiron
Club gave its fourth annual dinner at the
Arlington Hotel tonight. The club is COM
posed of forty Washington newspaper CORE
spOndents who have made speciality of the
entertainment Of distinguished guests at a
dinner of unique character. The dinner
tonight was no exception and has added
another notable and picturesque perform
ance to the credit of the club. More than
17J persons were present, including men of
every sphere of public life and from different
quarters of the globe. Many features of
entertainment were introduced, such as bur-
lesquing events of the day, touching upon
topics of general interest and humorously
impersonating prominent men who were
guests of the evening. The speeches and
features were interspersed with songs by the
club quartet, solos and witty Interruptions
and observations.
General Henry V. Boyntop, the newly
elected president of the club occupied the
head of the table. Grouped about him were
men whose fame has extended wherever
the English language is read and spoken.
The dining room at the Arlington was
handsomely decorated with North Carolina
laurel hung with festoons of pink ribbons.
The tables, which were arranged TO resem-
bic d grdiron, were covered with ferns, in
which pink roses and orchids We're i'm
bedded. a blazing gridiron, just back of the
president. threw a luster over the scene and
was reflected in the plate glass sides of the
room.
President Boynton, in a patriotic utter
ance. opened with a toast to the President
OF the United States, an innovation which
he commended saying: In this new time
,,,1~a
suggestion concerning tOaStS to the Pres
ident of the United States. There is an
Ansio-SaXOn nation across the sea whose
boast for many decades mas been that II
rules the wave, and that the sun never sets
on its dominion. At all its feasts, whether
in polar regions or where palms wave With
in the tropics, the first toast IS The Queen
There is now another Anglo-SaXon nation
this side of the sea, upon whose flag of
stars the sun shines increasingly. 1t Is as
if the trumpet OF resurrection hdd SOUNDED
for the Nation, calling it in the tWlnkilng
of an eve to new life, to wider responsible
titles to broader fields of patriotic efforts,
TO a commanding position among the powers
of the earth Let AnglO-SaXon forms fol-
low our drum beat around the world ana
breaks within the artic circle, where tenn
ECrJte regions smile, or where troplc airs
blow softly, let the first toast be always
he President And tonight IL shalI be
L. that President under whose mastery
guidance the marvellous results OF the year
have been wrought out"
Among the speakers of the evening were
Senators German Foraker, Gray and Frye,
Secretary Wilson, Mr.. WI. the Chinese min
lister, Mr. Komura, The japanese minister,
General Corbin. Admiral Schley, Mr.. De-
pew, Mr. O'Meara and MIR. Allen.
The menu was Il calendar for 1899, the
months surrounding a jolly-looking monk,
who held a gridirOn to his breast and
seemed 10 invite enjoyment and promise
good cheer. He stood at the opening of
kitchen door sill marked with the Latin
word Pax" as typical of the peace soon
expected TO come.
The initiation of Mr.. Henry Hall afforded
an opportunity for play on the Mormon
question. As he came into the room he was
followed by four alleged wives, perSonated
by members of the club in female costume,
who We're attached 10 him by gaily colored
ribbons Mr.. Hall was not allowed admiS
sion TO the club until divorces had been
secured which We're speedily granted with
the assistance of Chicago lawyer. The
Wailing grass widows were provided for by
lottery each pulling out of a basket &. large
card with the name of some prominent
guest attached, a proceeding which created
much mirth.
The Gridiron Club ratified the treaty of
peace. \ mock executive session or the
Senate was held. different members of the
club imperSOnating various senators pronl-
uently identified either for or against the
treaty and. after brief discussion and sew
eral very funny incidents. the treaty
finally ratified. President Boynton then de-
Cared thst the greatest secrecy be main
tanned as to the action taken stating that
or no account should the proceedings in ex-
ecutive session be allowed 10 come to the
public. AS he ceased speaking, great
camor was heard at the doors and Mr..
Crosby n. Noyes, editor of the Star, came
IN at one door with a large bundle of extra
Stars under his arm, while Mr.. Beriah VIII
kins editor of the Post, entered at another
with as many extra Posts. Cries of Extra