Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-19
SIR THOMAS PRAISED
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT PROPOSES
TOAST TO GALLANT SPORTSMAN.
Yacht Club Dinner on Center Island
Was Scene of Unbounded
Good Cheer

night from Oyster Bay: President Roose-
welt was the guest of honor tonight at the
annual dinner OF the Seawanhaka-C CORN
THAN Yacht Club at its handsome and spa
cious home on Center Island. In Oyster
Bay. While many men prominently idenu-
fed with yachting in the east were pres
| ent and the dinner was a handsome and
delightful affair. as function 1t was not
| 50 elaborate as the dinner committee Origi
nally had planned
The President gave the club to under
stand that he could not attend the dinner
| If 1t was to be made great banquet with
many invited guests outside of tine club
membership. 1t was intended to have
among those in attendance Sir Thomas Lip
ton and members of his party now sojourn-
ing in this country. and a large number OF
distinguished army and navy officers. all
of whom We're to be invited to meet the
President This plan did not meet the
Presidents approval and the list of guests
was curtailed. An invitation was sent to
Sir Thomas Upton. but he was unable to
accept on account of Illness and because OF
his engagements in the west.
The President, about O'Clock this even
Ing escorted by Lieut.. Charles F. Preston
commander of the naval yacht Sylph. and
Midshpman Hammer. entered a launch at
the j. West Roosevelt pier and proceeded
to the yacht club house across the bay
He met at the club landing by Chair
man Colgate Hoyt of the board of trustees
to the club house His entrance elected ap-
plause and cheers.
Secret Service Guards.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Presi-
dent was among friends and fellow club
members, precautions were taken to insure
his personal safety. Two secret service
officers remained near him and additional
precautions were taken by the club itself
The scene presented on the bay and the
grounds surrounding the club house when
the President landed was brilliant one.
Yachts of every description dotted the wa
ters, nearly every one being beautifully
outlined in parti-colored electric lights.
Several large steam yachts from New York
brought down parties to attend the dinner
The grounds and the club house were
beautifully decorated with flags and Japa-
nese lanterns.
Immediately after the arrival of the Pres
ident the guests. who numbered about 100
sat down to dinner. 1t was an informal
affair, the various courses being inter
spersed with songs by glee clubs. in which
nearly all the guests joined. Vice Commo-
dore William ]. Matheson of the Seawan-
haka Yacht Club was the master of cere-
| monies. In a graceful speech he introduced
President Roosevelt. who was received with
great applause, all the guests standing.
The President spoke in part as follows:
Presidents Address.
| l enjoy being with you and 1 enjoy listen
ing to the glee clubs 1 always feel when
l visit you that / am here under false pre-
lenses, for in yachting matters am at the
feet of Gamaliel," indicating Commodore
Bourne. who sat at his left Il like to see
| a man play himself and not hire some one
to play for him. This club is prominent
for sports In which the masters themselves
take an active part, while others hire men
to do for them / feel that this club stands
as a type of sporting club conspicuous for
menliness and decency. You ought to be
! encouraged but do not think you need en-
| enlargement
During the past summer all have been
deeply interested in the international
| yacht races. 1t was eighteen years ago
when the first Of the single StickerS came
| to begin that great duel which has been a
feature of yachting interests during all
these years. 1t Is not wise to boast when
we put Our armor on. but rather when We
put 1t off. 1t Is a curious fact that not
only has our boat won each series. but
every race of all the series. We owe a
debt of gratitude to the designers. the
captains and the seamen who contributed
to the winning of the races by the Ameri-
can boats.
Now, 1 am going to ask you to drink
to the health of all our gallant opponents
of the last eighteen years. and especially
to the health of Sir Thomas Upton. whom
we had hoped to have with US tonight"
Sir Thomas Cheered.
At this mention of Sir Thomas Lipton's
name the guests rose and cheered enthusi-
astically, and the toast was drunk with
equal spirit.
Just before the close Of the dinner, the
following message was sent to Sir Thomas
Upton:
Club House, Sea Observation-Disclosures Y. c..
Oyster Bay, n. Y.
Sir Thomas Upton. Chicago:
At the annual dinner tonight of the Sea-
wanhak a -Corinthian Yacht Club there were
unanimous expressions of disappointment
over your illness and regret at your alb
senee President Roosevelt proposed your
health. and expressed best wishes for your
speedy recovery.
FRANCIS G. STEWART. Secretary.
The following telegram was received this
afternoon by Secretary Stewart from the
private secretary of Sir Thomas Upton:
Regret on account of Sir Thomas LIP
toms illness 1 have been unable to put
your kind telegram before him. VIII do so
earliest opportunity. Am certain had II
been possible he would have been delighted
to be present at the Seawanhaka Yacht
Club dinner. His condition is certainly inn
proved this morning. but he probably will
be confined to his hotel for several days
1t was almost IL O'Clock when President
Roosevelt was escorted by members OF the
club to his launch and started on his Jour-
ney across the bay. AS he left the landing
he was given three hearty cheers