The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-29
A NEW DEPARTURE
BY THE GR|O|R0N.
The Club Holds a National
Convention.
SOME HARD HITS GIVEN
The Delegates Only Have to Furnish
the Enthusiasm.
CLUBS LATEST MEMBER COMES TO GRIEF
In an Admirars Coat He Mounts Platform,
Accepts the Nomination, Declares Himself
Peoples Candidate and Goes Down
With Co!Iapsing Platform.
. (Bv the Associated Press

Washington, April 2S.-The Gridron
and the Washington correspondents COM
prsng that organization scored beat"
on the parties which will nominate candi-
dates for the Presidency. The April din
ner Of the club was based on the con-
venton idea. Over the doors to the ban
quet hall were the words: "Grdiron
Convention and everything that follow
ed was on the national convention order
in Gridiron style.
The idea Of convention was carried
out in the elaborate decorations. At in
tervals along the table were stats and
banners bearing the names and coat of
arms of the States, Among the appro-
pirate legends were Admiral Dewey's
Headquarters, Parlor 1,313,' Hanna,
Quay and Reform etc.
The menu souvenirs were fac SMILES
of convention tickets, being handsome
and unique, and were brought in by two
Southern delegates" who were alleged
10 have been trying to sell them on the
outside.
There was a genuine satire in the stateS
ment by President West that all details,
such as the selection of temporary and
permanent officers, appointments of COM
mittees, ETC.. had all been arranged be-
forehand. "Then what kind of con-
vention is ths?" asked a member OF the
club.
"a convention on the Philadelphia
PLAN" was the reply. 1.-The delegates
have nothing to do but furnish the en-
thusiasm.''
,;C hon tn hn "
satisfactory, for then there appeared the
Gridiron marching club, carrying red,
white and blue campaign umbrellas and
wearing linen busters. After repeating
like a college yell, the fact that they
were friends of Mckinley, the club
marched out and Immediately reappeared
shouting with equal enthusiasm for Bry-
an The marching club" was preceded
by two musicians playing drum and
fife in true campaign style.
The latest member of the club, Henry
G. Kemp, of the Baltimore Sun. was in
troduced as the clubs hero and entered
wearing an admirals uniform. After he
had been presented with wreath,
sword and other trifles. he mounted a
platform, returned his thanks, accepted
the nomination and declared himself the
platform collapsed and the choir sang,
with luguCricus effect, There's Hole in
the Bottom Of the Sea.
Governor Roosevelt was impersonated
as a rough rider with ludicrous success.
The speeches were excellent. one Of
the novelties about them being the nomi-
nation by some of the principal speakers
of themselves. Among the guests who
Allison, Depew, Carter, Hanna Repre-
sentatives Allen, Dalzell and others.
The club did not nominate any one, but
referred the selection of candidates to a
committee consisting of Mark Hanna,
Platt, Senator Jones and ex-senator Cor
man, to report at the dinner of the club
in December next.
The guests included Secretary of State
Hay Secretary Long, of the Navy, Secre
tary of the Interior Hitchcock, Postmast-
er General Emory Smith, Mr.. A. D. Prov
and member of the British Parliament;
Senators Allison, Carter, Depew, Hanna,
Kean McComas, Shcup, Spooner and
Burrows; Representatives Allen, Cannon,
Dalzell, DeArmond, Littlefield McClel-
Ian, Richardson and Campbell. Lieuten-
ant Governor Timothy l.. Woodruff, of
New York; Ex-Governor Francis, Mis-
souri,; ex-senator German, Maryland; Di-
rector of the Census Merriam, Charles g.
Dawes, Comptroller of the Currency;
Henry Clay Evans, Commissioner of Pen
sicns; w. A. Turk, Southern Railway;
Herbert Putnam. Librarian Congress;
General John w. Brooks, General H. c..
Corbin. Rear Admiral Bradford Rear Ad-
miral Hichborn.
Some weeks ago the Lotus Club, of New
York, entertained the Gridiron Club and
tonight quite a large number of Lotus
Club men were guests of the Gridiron's.
When anything happens to small
boy it is invariably a few minutes before