The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-29
THE GRIDIRON CONVENTION.
NEWSPAPER MEN GOT AHEAD OF
THE TWO PARTIES.

wit, Wisdom and Satire Mingled
with n Feast-QuestiOn of a Candl-
date Referred to Hanna, Plat,
Jones and German to Report I'm
December-A Satirica1 Portrayal
of Admiral Dewey's Candidacy.
Many Distin guished Guests.
Washington, April 2S.-The Gridiron
and the Washington correspondents COM
prising that organization scored beat"
on the parties, which will nominate cam
didates for the presidency.
The April dinner of the club was based
on the convention idea. Over the doors
TO the banquet hall were the words Grid
iron Convention" and everything that fol-
lowed was on the National Convention
order in Gridiron style.
The idea of a convention was carried
out in the elaborate decorations. At in
tervals along the tables were staffs and
banners bearing the names and coats of
arms of the states. Among the appro-
pirate legends, were:
Admiral Dewey's Headquarters, Par
Tor 1. 3d.
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
to have ben trying to sell them on the
outside.
There was genuine satire in the state
ment of President West that all details,
such as the selection OF temporary and
permanent officers, appointments Of COM
mittees, etc. had all been arranged before
hand. Then what kind of q convention
is this?" asked member of the club
"a convention on the Philadelphia plan"
was the reply. THE delegates have moth
ing to do but furnish the enthusiasm"
This seemed, however, 10 be perfectly
satisfactory, for then there appeared the
Gridlron Marching Club, carrying red,
white and blue campaing 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 reapepared, shoutine
with equal enthusiasm for Bryan. The
Marching Club was preceded by two
musicians. playing drum and a fife, in
true campaign style.
Hit at Dewey.
The latest member Of the club, Henry
G.. Kemp, OF the Baltimore Sun, was in
trOduced as the CUPS nero and entered
wearing an AdmiralS uniform. After he
had been presented with a wreath. a
sword and other trihes, he mounted a.
platform, returned his thanks, accepted
the nomination and declared himself the
peoples candidate. At this moment his
platform collapsed and the choir sang.
with lugubrious effect, There's a Hole
in the Bottom of the Sea-"
Gov. Roosevelt was impersonated as a
Rough Rider with ludricous success
The speeches were excellent one of the
novelties about them being the noniina-
ton by some Of the principal speakers of
themselves. Among tho guests who spoke
were ex-senator German. Senators All
son. Depew, Carter, Hanna, Represent
atives 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 ne the dinner OF the club
In December next
The Guests.
The guests included Secretary OF STATE
Hay Secretary OF the Navy Long. secre-
tary Of the Interior Hitchcock. Postmas-
ter General Emory Smith Mr.. A, -. Pro.
wand. member OF the British Parliament,
Senators Allison. Carter, Depew. Hanna.
kean. Mccomas, Shoup spooner ana Hur-
rows. Representative Allen, Cannon, Dat.
aeh, DcArmond. Litllsneld. Mcclellan,