Evening star., 1904-02-01

dard. He prescribed httIe OF both. n.
Clay Evans, who was ones comsnissioner Of
pensions was asked II hei iwouldsg1ve I'D his
fat consul geperalship f0fs another Office at
a proportionate Increase ofisalar5.
Early In the dinner the i4eat between Sem
ator German and Senator Aldrich, vacant
by the absence of William r. Hearst, was
filled by monstrous yellow Kid" Then
Miss Democracy fidgeted into the room,
poke bonnet, fan and alE bearing a dove
Of peace and a placard labeled HARMONY
which was hung between Senator German
and the kid. The ancient dame tried to
flirt with Senator Gorman. but he would
not respond, and she whfskedrout on the
arm of Grover Cleveland. while the quartet
sang -Four More Years OF ,Grover."
A courier Of the czar was announced, as
a bewhiskered, uniformed officer entered:
What Is it, Michael StrDgOff3"
"A petition from the czar" lc
Petition to whom?
ITO Simon Wolf"
Simon Wolf will not receive petition
from the car" retorted the presiding Of
ficer, and the courier stumped out.
For awhile there bid fair to be an un-
pleasant episode in connection with the
speech of the Grand Vizier of Persia, Mira
Ali Asgar Kahn, who is passing through
was brought into the dinner in the middle
OF the evening and received distinguished
attention. Speaker Cannon. Senator Cor
man and Senator Aldrich, sitting near him,
came over and were introduced, and the
entire company marked the gracious man
ners Of the oriental grandee. OF course he
was called upon for speech, and on ac-
count of his deficient command of English,
read from manuscript.
Imagine the horror of the assembled
Gridironers when Mr.. Mira broke all the
canons of Gridiron down by launching into
a most bitter arraignment of nations repre-
sented by guests at the dinner. He ruth
lessly scored Germany right under the nose
of Ambassador Sternburg, and the host of
that gentleman looked as II he would sink
through the floor Finally the presiding
several times, abruptly halted him. Mr.
Mira left the hall in high dudgeon, amid
the murmurs of the company. Members
Of the club who took Mr.. Mirza's part were
squelched by the chair. who said the mat
ter would be settled at another time. Just
at this awkward moment the oriental re-
entered, and after a few remarks disclosed
that he was a fictitious kahn, and the host
Of Ambassador Sternburg heaved a sigh Of
relief.
Ten-Year Medals.
A bit of sentiment was injected into the
proceedings by the presentation Of ten-year
medals to three members, In testimony Of
their connection with the club for that
length of time. They were c. c. Randolph
J. Henry Kaiser and Frank v. Bennett.
Mr.. Robert j. Wynne made the presenta-
ton in felieitous speech, teeming with
witty personal application to each recipient
Of a medal. In addition, Mr.. Bennett. with
out whose aid and advice no Gridiron din
ner could reach its perfection. was given a
new hotel to manage, the Gridiron Hotel,
reported a perfect model of the modern
caravansary. 1t looked like a slice of fruit
cake standing on end, and was recognized
by all New Yorkers instantly as the real
thing.
The music by the Gridiron singers was
distinctly delightful feature of the enter
tainment. topical song was introduced,
in which Gen. Corbin. H. Clay Evans and
other were touched up, much to the delight
of the listeners. sr7H
The song that set the house wild, how
ever, was a composition addressed to Presi-
dent Roosevelt. The chorus was led by
John Philip Sousa, and went with a will.
The tribute to the President was received
with cheers, and the company stood up and
waved napkins and handkerchiefs while
they shouted themselves nhoarse.
During the dinner a great many sly digs
were made at President Roosevelt. Senator
Hanna and General Leonard Wood The
climax in this direction came when the
"GridirOn Jai Alai, Great Gambling Hell"
was set up. 1t was explained that this
was modelled after the Havana gambling
institution. which had been recognized by
the United States government In the
Gridiron Jai Alai, however the prizes were
not money, but gifts of fate and destiny
The wheel of fortune was turned by the
gaudily attired sports" in Charge of the
game and the name Of a public man was
drawn; then, prize was drawn for him.
Speaker Cannon got what he could not get
in any other way-the United States sena-
torship-" Senator Hanna drew a MAJOR
generalsh1p in the army; William J. Bryan
drew the part of musical composer and
the quartet sang his first composition. en-
titled "Forsaken." His plant was very
touching. Senator Burrows drew COM
plete blank-'"The first time on record that
Senator Burrows ever sdrew what he de.
served" Senator COekrell drew the presi-
dency and clerk Immediately brought in
his nominations-William r. Hearst, min
lister to South Africa, and, other rival demo-
Gratis likewise effectually disposed of by
the new president. 4z
So 1t went until finally Senator Reed
Smoots name was drawn whereupon the
presiding officer raided the Joint before his
prize could be drawn.
The last act of the evening and which
conVulsed the company was the presenta-
nikins, endowed with almost human intel
ligence Seven members of the club, wear
ing placards bearing the names Of German
Knox, J. Pterpont Morgan, Hanna. Taft
ed before the audience. The professor in
charge asked them questions which the
mannikins answered.
Arthur F: German. how do you like be-
ing democratic leader?"
Il would like it a heap better IL ary
democrats would follow me-
attorney General Knox, Is 1t more fun
to bust trusts or to work for them?'
1T is fun to bust them, but there is more
money in working for them"
Mr.. Taft was afraid he would catch cold
sitting in the room Root had occupied SEN
ator Hanna suggested he should come to
the White House; he would get warm
enough seeing how glad the President was
to greet Hanna. ]. Pierpont Morgan COM
planned OF the ruthless Rockefellers who
had stung him in business deals. David
r. Hill wanted to know what party intend
ed to nominate Cleveland. Throughout it
all Senator Scott's representative, the mis-
chlevous mannikin, at frequent intervals
set up loud shout, "Hurrah for Hanna"
IL was study to watch Senator Hanna
and Senator Scott during this performance
They enjoyed the fun like couple of boys,
ana the drive at Senator Scott's touting of
the alleged Hanna boom in season and out
was particularly relished
The exhibition OF the mannikins with
their sparkling and cutting dialogue, was
continued for some time and kept the
house in an uproar of merriment.
New Members Initiated.
TWO new members of the club were initi-
ated-Mr. Scott c. Bone of the Washington
Post and Mr.. NO. Messenger Of the Even
ing Star. Their initiation was made the
n nj 1arI rvS,,