Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-29
A NOTABLE COMPANY
The Fifteenth Annual Dinner of the
Gridiron Club.
FUN FAST AND FURIoU
Distinguished Guests Who Enjoyed
the Evening.
A HAN DSOME SOUVENIR

A HAN DSOAIE SOUVENIR
The successes of the Gridiron Club have
advanced for fifteen years by geometrical
progression. and such high standard had
been reached that it seemed impossible
that Saturday nights banquet could equal
its predecessors. But in the estimation of
many who were present. and there were
quite a number who from experience were
competent Judges, the hospitable Gridiron-
ers had never given their guests as jolly an
evening. The success of a Gridiron dinner
depends as much upon the Entertainment
furnished by the guests as upon the witty
skits which the club provides for the first
part of the evenings enjoyment. The I'M
usually large number of distinguished
guests gave President West an opportunity
to call upon noted men Of such diverse po-
litfcal views and of such recognized ability
as five-minute speechmakers that when
the coffee had been served and cigars light
ed 1877 men, all in an equable frame of
mind settled back in their chairs and for
an hour thoroughly enjoyed the bright,
witty remarks of the distinguished guests
who were called to their feet one after an
other by President West, after his peremp-
tory gavel had succeeded in temporarily
checking the continuous peals of laughter.
The club committees whose duty 1T was
10 make merry the fore part of the even
ing were fully equal to the requirements of
furnishing something fresh and new.
Everything on the program was not new,
however. for there are some things SO old
out SO good that they are always welcomed,
even demanded. A Gridiron entertainment
would be as insipid without Major Stofer's
banjo and Herndon Morsells song that
reached his heart as a banquet menu with
out an entree and cafe nor.
The club members and their guests met in
the large reception rooms of the Arlington
Hotel at $50 O'Clock. and for thirty or forty
minutes new acquaintance were made and
old friends cordially greeted.
Beautiful Decorations.
At the ringing of the big dinner bell the
doors to the banqueting hall were thrown
open and the guests were ushered into
miniature fairy land. The electric lights
never We're SO numerous or twinkled so
brightly, the mural and ceiling decorations
never We're so elaborate or handsome the
vases and orchids which decked the tables
never so fragrant or SO brilliant Every
nook and corner of the large room was filled
with stately palm trees and tropical plants,
the ceilings, walls and chandeliers We're
fairly hidden with Alabama evergreens, and
everywhere sparkled over a thousand vari-
cOlOTet Tiny electric lRnlS. small ndQ sur
passed all his previous successes in decora-
ton. Nearly the entire floor space of the
immense room was occupied by the tables,
which were, usual, arranged in the form
of a mammoth gridiron Notwithstanding
the size of the assemblage, the arrange
nIents We're perfect that every man
readily found the place that had been as
signed to him.
Handsome Souvenirs.
Each name card was beautiful souvenir
in the form of a leather-bound book, on
each page Of which was a vignetted half
tone portrait of a member of the club. with
a miniature representation of the first page
of the newspaper he represents, accompa-
MED by an Illustration of some act at for
mer banquet in which he was a participant
The work was prepared by Mr.. J. Harry
Cunningham. Every envelope containing
the souvenir and the title page of every
book bore the name of the occupant of the
seat before which they were placed.
The Presidents Address.
The room was darkened, while President
Henry l.. West, who presided during the
evening. with grace and dignity, made his
happy speech of welcome, in the midst of
which, at the right moment, Il new electric
gridiron, larger and more brilliant than
before. flashed its rays from the wall at the
head of the table. After the health of the
President of the United States had been
drunk. in accordance with the time-honored
custom of the club, the evenings fun be-
gan, the good things to eat and the good
things to hear alternating with each other.
Hardly had the soup been served when eX-
President Boynton took the floor to present
to his successor, Mr.. West, the presidents
badge of Office. q handsome gold gridron,
studded with rubies, diamonds. sapphires-
the red, white and blue. General Boynton
told Mr.. West that since his election by
some nine thousand votes to one, which the
judges of election had claimed was in his
Boynton's) own handwriting. he had come
to the conclusion that either the club was
opposed to second term or that he was
persona non grata. He reluctantly there
fore. yielded up his badge of office and
pinned 1t on the lapel of the new president
and heartily congratulated the club upon
its selection of a president for whom he
wished unqualified success. President West
in turn facetiously congratulated his prede-
cessor on his ability to produce the valued
emblem at the proper time and compll-
mented him upon having rescued the Office
from the oblivion into which 1t had been
cast by his predecessors.
Fun Fast and Furious.
Before the fish had been served gentle
man In a far corner of the room arose and
expressed his belief that some guests were
present who had not been invited, and a
demand was made upon all to show their
tickets. This led to summoning to their
feet dozen or more prominent railway
officials who were charged with eating on
tickets marked. Mot good on the Gridiron
Limited" They were not put out, how
ever, but allowed to continue their courses,
with the understanding that in the future
all passes issued by them should be good
on the limited trains Of their respective
roads.
Award of Medals.
The chairman of the medal committee
announced that there were three candidates
who claimed they were entitled to the ten
year club medals-Messrs. Richard Lee
Fearn, David S. Barry and Herndon Nor
SELL The twentieth century problem arose
with the question whether the first named
had completed or was just beginning his
tenth year. But when 1t was ascertained
from the treasurers books that the last
mentioned member really had eleven years
to his credit the vexed question was hap
PLY settled, without precipitating a news
paper discussion, by his yielding his extra
year to Mr.. Fearn. The candidates were
then required to kneel and were decorated
with the handsome bronze medal attached
to black and white ribbon.
Old-Tfme MlnstreIs.