The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-31

Gives . Banquet and Iasroduees Some
Novel Features

Washington. January 2s.-The Grid
iron Club gave its fourteenth annual
dinner at the Arlington hotel tonight.
The club Is composed OF forty Wash
ington newspaper correspondents who
make a speciality OF the entertainment
Of distinguished guests at
unique OF character. The inner tonight
was no exception and has added
other notable and picturesque perform
ance to the credit OF the club. More
than It's persons were present in
GLIDING men from every sphere OF pub
lie life, and from different quarters
of the globe. Many new features OF
entertainments were introduced such
as bu~rlesqueing Of the day, touching
upon topics OF general interest n
humorously -inpersonating prominent
men who were guests of the evening
The speeches n features were inter-
spersed with songs by the club quar-
tet, solos and witty Interruptions n
observations
General Henry V. Boynton. the new
ly elected president of the club. occu-
pied h G OF the table. Grouped
about him were men whose fame has
extended wherever the English lam
guage 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 resemble the gridiron.
were covered with ferns in which pink
! orchids were embedded. A blazing
gridiron just back Of the president
threw a lustre over the scene and was
reflected in the plate glass sides of the
room.
n--~t~-* p-xs~n -, N rovrsn+;a -
terance opened with a toast TO tbs
president of the United States. This
is an innovation. He concluded tbs
toast as follows:
And tonight il sha be to that pres
ident under whose mastery guidance
the marvellous results of the year hav'
been wrought out"
The initiation of Mr.. Henry Hal
afforded an opportunity for a pla,
upon the Mormon question. AS h
came into the room he was followed b.
four alleged wives ~personated by mem
bers of the club in female costumes
who were attached to him by gail.
colored ribbons. Mr.. Hall was not al
lowed admission to the club until di
vorces had been secured which wer
speedily granted with the a~ssistanc
of a Chicago lawyer. The wailing gras
widows were provided for by lottery
each pulling out of a basket a larg
card with the name of some prominen
=, guest attached, a proceeding whic
created much mirth.
The Grid Iron Club ratified the treat
Of peace m1.c"t executive sessio
/ of the n was held, din. H eni
! bers Of the club i~mpersonating Va.
Gus senators prominently identifie
either for or aginst the treaty, an
after brief discussion and several yer
funny incidents the treaty was finall
ratified.
President Boynton then declared tina
the greatest secrecy be maintained a
to the action taken, stating that on n
account should the proceedings in exec
utive session be allowed to becom
public. AS he ceased speaking q grea
clamor was heard at the doors and MI
Crosby S. Noyes, editor of The Star
came in at one door with a large bun
die of extra Stars under his arm, Will
Mr.. Beriah wilkins, editor of the Posi-
entered at another with as many extr
Posts. Cries of Extra Star" and Z
ira POST together with "ail about tn
ratification of the peace treaty in exec
utive session were loudly voiced b,
the two gentlemen and the papers con
tanning the detailed vote and the pro
ceedings of the secret session were dis
tributed among the guests, to the grea
amusement Of the many senators pres
ent.
Liz swearing II u Seild IOT-eIec
Chauncey NJ. Depew furnished anothe
phase of a Grid Iron repast that wa.
appreciated by everybody and by non
more than Mr.. Depew himself. A mem
Der of the club, p~ersonating Senate
Plat, insisted on Mr.. Depew's beins
sworn, in and a representation of
large book labeled "Depew's Jokes
stalked in and after some objection!
n debate the oath of office was ad
ministered and the book was directed t
be conducted to the senate
A little later it was insisted that tn,
proceedings were irregular and that tn,
other part of Mr.. Depew should hav,
something to say and it was agreed
upon. A curtain was swept aside ana
a photograph in full view began t,
grind out some of Mr.. Depew's stories