The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-02
ANNUAL BANQUET
 OF THE PRESS CLUB
More Than 75 Gather Around
 the Banquet Board
WIT FLOWED LIKE WINE
Burlesque on Vulcan Was Greeted With Cheers and sApplause-En- joyabIe Occasion at the Met
 ropolltan Hotel.

The Birmingham Press club gave its third annual banquet in the dining hall on the second floor of the Metropolitan hotel last night. About 75 of the active and honorary members were present, and all enjoyed the toasts and the clever skits which were presented by the club Eli P. Smith was the toastmaster of the evening and his introductions of the va rious speakers were felicitious He was introduced by President Emil Lesser who made a happy talk on the club and it's purposes
 One of the cleverest bits of humor of the evening was the burlesque of Vul- can. Following the toast of Col. l.. w. Johns, Early Recollections," announce ment was made that Vulcan had just arrived at the station from St. Louis and that charge of g was attached to the figure for freight
 It was found impossible to raise so large a sum, but finally the statue was rafflGd for 30 cents and 1t was at last secure in Birmingham. The sally was met with cheers and much applause. It was very cleverly portrayed by Leon W. Friedman, John c. Henley, Jr., and other members of the club. The first liquid refreshment was a dry Martini, and accompanying 1t on the menu card was the appropriate passage "A good digestion to you all And once more I shower welcome on
 you;
 'Welcome all"
  panied by fitting quotation, one of the best being the companion of the Cafe Noir, which was as follows: This is pity wine should be so de-
 leterlous,
 For coffee leaves us much more serious" Finally, just as the banquet was break ing up, and the last of the courses was being served, this apt quotation comes T will make an end of my dinner" Some of the best speakers of the two previous banquets were out of the city, and for that reason were unable to at- tend. Among these was Col. T. G. Bush. who has twice before been very happy in his toasts and he was on the programme for one last night. Several others were also missing.
 The number of toasts was longer than
  speeches were shorter, time limit being put on all At the foot of the menu was this:
 "NOTB--Speakers are expected to con- sume no less than one nor more than three and sne-half minutes of time, but can consume wine as long as the supply holds out
 As is customary at the Press club ban quets all stood and joined in "Auld Lang Syne'' just before the formal portion of the banquet was over. and following that a large majority stood around the ban quet table for some time telling a good story or two, singing a song and making merry.
 The music of the evening was flttingly chosen, and frequently the strains of the familiar airs were taken up by the club and few lines were sung.
 The banquet room was dressed In palms and the halls leading to it were lined with palms and greens. The orchestra was hidden behind bank of evergreens and palms.
 Among the toasts which were respond ed to last night were the following: Address of President and introduction of toastmaster. Mir. Emil Lesser.
 Toastmasters address, MT. Eli P. Smith
 "Father of Press Club" MT. R. F. JchE ston
 "Matrimony and Fertilizers" MT. Gull pepper Exum.
 "The Rough Rider" Mir. R. S. Nun ger.
 "Frenzied Politics." MT. J. W. Tomlin- son.
 How We Referee" Mir J. o. Thomp- son.
 Me and George Ade," MT. Austin Sims.
 Talking to Teddy" Mir. James Wealth. erly.
 Drugs as a Side Line," MT. John L. Parker.
 "Modesty as a Fine Art" Mir Harry Jones.
 Getting on the Inside" Dr. II. T. "A New Register" Mir. s. A. Benton. "Titles and Tickles," Col. o. P. Gaut. From Warriors Diary" Col. E. l.. Higdon.
 "Tin Cans and Politics." MT. John W. o'Nein
 '"rhe Same Old story-The Pennant Cinched" MT. J. W. Mcqueen.
 "The Hot Air Line" J. G. Cantrell. "Horse and Horse" Eugene Fiees. "Industrial Development Augmented by Journalistic Enterprise" ]. A. Roun- tree.
 Early Recollections." Col. L. w. Johns
 "Cuffs, Collars. City Council-the Four Cs," S. Klotz.
 "A Pipe Dream, Mir. Ben Barbour lover the Foam we Glide" MT. J. M. Wixen.
 "Trots at Trotwood," T. G. Hewlett. Story of the Bacon Massacre" A. H. Carpenter.
 "The Lieutenant Governorship," MT. H. B. Gray.
 
 BASKETBALL GAME.