The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-12-29
A Possible Presidential
Candidate.
Last Evenings Banquet by
Commercial Club.

Boston, December 2s.-Surrounded by
some of the most prominent men in the
financial, business and social life OF Bos-
ton, Secretary of the Navy John ID.
Long, was the central figure at banquet
at the Algonquin club tonight when his
achievements In public life were the
theme OF many speakers. The banquet
was a complimentary one and the civers
of 1t were members OF the commercial
club body of mer Jhants devoted to the
welfare OF Boston trade with the outside
world. The list Of guests, besides Mr..
Long was q representative one and the
only absentee on the list was Hon. George
Won. L.. Meyer, ambassador to Italy,
whose place as speaker was taken by
Congressman Samuel W. Mccall Of this
state. The post prandial speaking was
mostly In lighter vein, topics OF ma
tional moment being avoided and the
force or argument being directed to the
grand WORK of Massachusetts, men, the
honored guest at the table receiving
shower OF compliments sincerely spoken.
Among those at the tables were Hon.
George p. Lyman, collector OF tine port
of Boston, Lieut.. GOV. John Il. Bates.
Mayor Thomas N. Hart. Representative
samuel W. MoCall, Hon. David j. Hill,
assistant secretary of state, Bishop
William Lawrence aud President Henry
S. Pritohett of Technology.
The presiding offiosr was l.. @. Burn
ham, president OF the Commercial club.
Mr.. Burnham refsrrt to many eofficiais
acts of MIR. Longs that have won him
confidence and In closing tonight brougbs
cheers by referring to Honest John ID.
Long.
The secretary of the club then .ead q
letter from Senator Hoar, it being In part
as follows:
HOAR LETTER.
sit does not seem 90 me that can 90
to Massachusetts, during the Christmas
holidays.
81 should be glad to express my great
personal regard for your eminent guest.
But, as an American citizen and citizen
of Massachusetts,, 1 should be glad of an
opportunity TO say what I think of the
administration OF that great department
during a great aud unexpected war with
out mistake, without a miscarriage.
without public complaint and without
a scandal. There never was another war.
that know of where the navy had a
great share which was not accompanied
by great mistakes, and by great scandals
mo historian OF the last three years
Will fall to give a conspicuous and honor.
able place to the name of your guest TO
whom SO much Of the glory OF our late
conquest with Spain is owing.%
The presiding officer next presented
Hon. George II. Lyman collector or the
port of Boston to speak for the national
administration.
Lieut.. Governor John l., Bates was
next presented. When Lieut.. Governor
Bates said that he was present to well
come the guest of the evening by thu or
der of that keen alert business man who
occupies the leaing placed in ths adj min
istration of Massachusetts,, Gov. Crane.
the applause was enthusiastic as was
likewise his closing eulogium OF the
guest. President Burnham presented
Mayor Hart to voice the welcome of the
city.
Assistant Secretary of State David j..
Hill, followed with a tribute from Wash
ington 60 the honored guest. Great ap-
plause grestsd his address when he said
that Mr. Longs work In ths cab met in
cluded him among the makers of the ma
ton
Representative Samuel W. Mccall made
a brief but humorous address which
called out much merriment, particularly
his congratulatson that a good future
candidate for the Presidency had not
been spoiled by being made vtcs Presi-
dent
Bishop Lawrence spoke next. His
characterization of Secretary Long as In
two respects typical American. first In
his advocacy OF peace and second as an
optimist struck peculiarly responsive
chord.
The Rev. Thomas Van Ness followed
with an argument In favor Of tins com