Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-06
BRETHREN OF AMEN CORNER
Unique Press Club En%tertains Hum
dreds at banquet TO Sem
.., RtOr Plat.

NEW YORK, April SAN sorts and
conditions Of men of all shades of political
sentiment, but with mighty few probi-
bitionists," was the Characterization by
Chairman Edward ]. Riggs of the great
gathering Of statesmen, politicians, jour
nalists, divines and inanciers who met
Senator Thomas c.. Plat tonight at the
dinner given in his honor by the "Breth-
rem OF the Amen Corner" at the Fifth Ave-
nue. hotel.
The great dining room OF the hotel was
filled with about 400 guests of the Amen
Corner Brotherhood" an association con-
sisting Of the Albany correspondents and
the principal political writer's on the news
papers Of New York.
At the guests table were: Hon. Timothy
]. Woodruff, Hon. Joseph II. Marley, Hon.
william e. Warner, Colonel George w.
Dunn, Hon. c. Spooner, Hon. August Bel
mont, Hon. Ellhu Root, Archbishop Ire
land, Hon. Chauncey NJ. Depew, Hon. Ar
thur p. German. Mayor Seth Low, John A.
Mccall. Hon. Henry c. Payne, ex-Gov-
ernor Frank s. Black, Rev. DR.. David J.
Burrell, Hon. Nathan B. Scott and Hon.
John P. Jones.
President Roosevelt was among the
guests invited, but sent a letter regretting
that he was unable to attend. The letter
follows:
WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, April
my Dear Riggs: VIII you present to
the Brethren of the Amen Corner" nv
present at the dinner? L should enjoy it
greatly, but is a simple impossibility for
me to get away from Washington at this
brethren. Most Of them 'T are i my oIiS a .nS
valued personal friends and my Inability
to come Is a matter Of most sincere re-
gret to, Yours faithfully.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Mr. r.; q. Riggs, Chairman Amen Cor
Roars Of laughter greeted the parading Of
the room before the dinner, after an i'm
mense picture Of Senator Platt as a Sunday
school teacher addressing a class composed
of President Roosevelt, Governor Odell,
Former Governor Black and Senator Depew.
AS the picture was borne around the room
the assemblage Joined in singing "The Sum
day School" The singing of the anthem OF
the Amen Corner" served as a prelude to
the introduction of the guest of the evening
by Chairman Riggs. Senator Plat was
greeted with roars OF applause and the
singing of the Battle Hymn of the Repub-
lie" by the whole assemblage.
In his address the senator referred at
considerable length to New York city, state
and national politics, to the progress OF the
country within recent years and eulogized
President Roosevelt and Governor Odell.
Secretary Root entered the room at 9:4O,
having just arrived from Washington. He
was received with cheers and the rendering
OF buglo calls by the orchestra.
Senator Depew was introduced by Mr..
Riggs as THE Bridegroom with the
Lohengrin wedding march. In the course
OF a speech laudatory OF his colleague in
the senate Mr.. Depew said:
NJ Plattt's leadership has differed from
that Of most OF his predecessors in a recog-
milton OF rising ability and giving It's pos
SCISSOR his opportunity without the fear OF
thereby losing any OF his own prestige or
authority. He has been as true to his
friends in their adversely as in their pros
perity. In his strength and hold upon pub
lie men, upon politicians in and out OF
ONCE and upon active workers OF the party
Is that his word has always been his bond"
Former Governor Frank s. Black and the
mayor of New York were the next speakers
Governor odell sent a letter p~raising SEN
ator Plat as 'one whose peculiar exeeu-
tive ability for political leadership place
him in the front rank Of public men"
Archbishop Ireland said he was proud to
be a member Of the Amer Corner" to
which he said he had been attracted by the
name.
Secretary Of War Rooot apologized for not
appearing in uniform" He praised Gov
ernor Blacks speech and said in relation to
the administration in New York City, 81
don't believe in the new party OF fusion,
but am a firm believer in partisanshlp."