The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-30

washington, January Li.-rrC CW
Washington to Panama, the Gridiron
club conducted its guests tonight and
showed them how to construct the
isthmian canal From the reception
room Of the New Willard hotel, pre-
ceded by the marine band and led by
President Richard Lee Fearn, of the
Gridiron club, and President Roosevelt
of the United States, members and
guests wended their way through
maze of labyrinth of palms and trupi-
cal plants to the dining room which
was transformed to resemble the pia-
"a in front of Governor Magoon's res
idence in Panama. From that time
forward the dinner was conducted as
if the correspondents and their guests
were beside the big ditch. A pass was
issC cd to each guest over the "Gridi-
ron way" the only "air line beyond
Washington-Panama personally con-
Quoted tour
The initiation of the two new mem
bers afforded an opportunity to play
upon Santo Domingo situation. Both
General Morales" and General Car
ceres were brought in. the former as
the fellow who Jumped hot job in
San Domingo, and was looking for a
soft snap on the ditch Both were re-
jected, however, in favor of the mem
bers previously elected who were pre-
sented as "Bonafide suppress agents,
real ten thousand dollar beauties"
A new "statuary hall' was created
on the plaza" and many prominent
guests with appropriate quips, were
given prominent places there.
There were scores of hits upon canal
building. One member was rushing
hastily across the plaza and when ask
ed what he was doing, shouted:
Don't stop me. 1 have got to write
10000 words attacking the canal, and
have only got ten minutes to stay
Another member with a telescope said
he was looking at the canal systems on
Mars, which were successful because
on that planet there were mo trans
continental railroads" After long
discussion of canal digging, in which
many of the alleged methods, past and
present, were ridiculed without limit,
all the participants were hu~ lied away
with the song, dig, We terriers. dig"
which was written especially with
reference to the Presidents presence
at the dinner.
Thee were number of other songs
which were utilized for the introduce
ton of speakers. Those who made
interesting speeches were the Presi-
dent, Secretaries Root and Taft, Mark
T~cin," and the French ambassador.
The menu was "a guide to Washing
ton," profusely illustrated and hunor-
ously descriptive of different points OF
interest in the national capital. Fol
lowing are some of the specimens:
1.-The White House-this is a school
for the education of Senators and Rep
resentatives as to their duty to their
country. The head master is Professor
T. Roosevelt, A. B., A. NJ, LL. D., Lift.
D. (Harvard 1880 There is a gym
mas am connected with the institution.
The motto is, Hit first and frequent.
"The Senate chamber is the assem-
bly, room of the finest club on earth.
The deliberations of the Senate are
public, except when the doors are clos
ed for executive session. Then they
are published.
"There is no more instructive sight
in Washington than Senator Morgan
is when making speech on the Santo
Domingo treaty. You can't see Morgan
because the doors are shut and locked.
You can't see the other Senators be-
cause they are not there"
"Postofice OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
rapidly through Postmaster General
Cortelyou's ante-room We come to the
headquarters of the Republican Nat
ional committee 1t has direct private
telephone communication with the
White House"
There were many other like descrip-
tions in the menu which were enjoyed
by the large company present which
included officials, diplomatists, busi-
ness men and literary men of pronlt-
nence.
The guests included President Rcos-
velt, Secretary Root, Secretary Taft,