The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-01
THE GRIDIR0N CLUB.
Its National Convention Banquet Par
ties and Candidates ''Taken On''-A
Rich Performance.

Washington, April 2S.-The Gridiron
Club held a national convention to-
night and the Washington correspon-
dents comprising that organization
scored a beat" on the parties which
Will nominate candidates for the pres
idency. The April dinner of the club
was based on the convention idea,
Over the doors TO the banquet hall
were the words "Gridiron Convention"
and everything that followed was on
the national convention order on Grid
iron style
The idea of the convention was car
ried out in the elaborate decorations.
AT intervals along the tables were
STATS and banners bearing the names
and coats of arms of the states.
Among the appropriate legends were
Admiral Dewey's Headquarters, par
lor 1,313," Hanna, Quay and Reform.
etc.
The menu sovenirs were fac SINH
lies of convention tickets, and were
brought in by two southern dele
gates who We're alleged to have been
trying to sell them on the outside.
There was a genuine satire in the
statement by President West that all
details, such as the selection of tenn
porary and permanent officers, ap-
pointments of committee, ETC., had all
been arranged before hand. Then
What kind of a convention is this!
asked a member of the club. "a con-
vention on the Philadelphia plan" was
the reply. The delegates have moth
ing to do but furnish the enthusiasm. !"
This seemed, however, to be perfect
ly satisfactory, for then appeared the
Gridiron marching club, carrying red,
white and blue campaign umbrellas
and wearing linen busters. After re-
peating like a college yell the fact
that they were friends of Mckinley,
the cub marched out and immediate
ly rcappeared, shouting with equal
enthusiasm for Bryan. The March
ing club" was preceded by two musi-
clans, playing a drum and a fife, in
true campaign style.
The latest member of the club, Henry
G. Kemp, of The Baltimore Sun, was
introduced as the clubs hero and en-
tered wearing an admiraPS uniform
After he had been presented with a
wreath, a sword and other trif1eS, he
mounted platform, returned his
thanks, accepted the nomination and
declared himself the peoples candidate
At this moment, his platform collaps-
ed and the choir sang, with lugubri-
Gus effect, There's a Hole in the Bot
tom OF the Sea-
Governor Roosevelt was impersonat-
ed as rough rider with liducrous sue
cess.
The speeches were excellent. one OF
the novelties about them being the
nomination by some of the principal
speakers Of themselves. Among the
guests who spoke were ex-senator
German, Senators Allison, Depew
Carter and Hanna. Representatives
| Allen, DaiZell and others.
The CLUB did not nominate any one
| but referred the selection of candidate:
| to a committee consiting of Marx
Hanna, Platt, Senator Jones and ex
| Senator German. to report at the din
ner of the club in December next.
| The guests included Secretary o.
| State Hay, Secretary Long of the navy
| Secretary Of the Interior Hitchcock
Postmaster General Emory Smith
Mr.. A. D. Provand, member British
| parliament. Senators Allison. Carter
| Depew, Hanna, Kean, McComas
Shoup, Spooner and Burrows; Repere
| sentatives Allen, Cannon. Dalzell
| Dearmond, Littlefield, NcClennan
| Richardson and Campbell.