The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-28

middle OF the nail were QScOTdtCO with
| the red and white ribbons. The letter
"S'' represented the first letter OF sat
urday,'' the colored walters were en-
blematic of Might" and Club was
suggested by the barber IKE poles run
ming down the center of the hail. The
tables were decorated with massive
punches of peonies and the big pro
grams were printed on gray deckled
edge folder like heavy matted paper.
The title page gave the name and place
of the banquet. next the program with
the rules and regulations, followed by
the menu. Then page was devoted
to the members of the club and the
staff of the banquet.
Pure Food Inspection.
After the first course had been served
to the Jolly crowd a noise was heard
at the side entrance This followed by
a hep-hep sound and in MED a oand
of seven men led by Tom McNeal ana
gentleman bearing big STANDARD on
which was printed-'State Board OF
Health They marched around the
room looking at the eatables and nna1-
ly gathered around the plate OF the
secretary Of the state board OF health,
DR.. S. ]. Crumbine. Here they ex-
tracted from some of his eatables a
bug as big as a buIlfrog, labelled a
germ" It was taken to the center
of the room and match was touched TO
the tail of the insect. A muff1ed ex-
plosion followed by a bright Hash-and
loaded red fire scheme invented by the
ever ready Tom McNeal. At this juno
ture A. F. Colson, who served the
banquet to the members, appeared upon
the scene per request and examined
thoroughly by the board of health.
He was at last ''fumigated' with big
powder pump and two big placaros
were placed around his neck bearing
the inscription-"O. X. State Board OF
Health" This was the beginning of
the evenings fun.
Loving Cup Is Passed.
AS a formal opening of the banquet the
retiring president arose and introduced
Frank P. MacLennan, who was official
ly registered on the program as cup
bearer. The president explained the pos
session of the cup by telling few facts
concerning the last Mysterious Strang-
err banquet of the club in which Sena-
tor Charles Curtis presented the club
with the loving cup. Mr.. MacLennan
took the cup and starting with Gen.
Funston, he introduced the distinguish
ed gentleman. General Funston drank
from the cup and Mr.. MacLennan then
introduced Charles Gleed. The guests
who had never attended one OF the
banquets before thought naturally that
the cup bearer would introduce the men
at the speakers table and then take
his seat. But not so. Mr.. MacLennan
took the cup to every one of the guests,
gave their initials, their name, told
their business and made some COM
ment in connection. This made con-
tinuous performance lasting Is minutes
Several of the introductions brought
down the tables with laughter. Tom
McNeal refused to drink from the cup
unless it had been fumigated. Matthew
Weightman was introduced as the drug
gist who would keep open after the
29th''-this being sign of prosperity
and legitimate business. Robert Stone
as "the man who would rather be in
Topeka as a lawyer than Washington
as the recipient of an appointment
with a revocation attached. Arthur
Capper was given the distinc-
ton by the cup bearer as publishing
the best paper in Topeka published in
the morning). Mr.. MacLennan finish
rise and drink to the memory of the
late famous Kansas newspaper man,
F. P. Baker.
The Ball Is opened.
After the courses had been served
and the cigars were passed around, the
chairs drawn up to the center of the
IS" L. L. Kiene, the president, who
acted as POSTMASTER, started on his
speech. He held in his hand a large
piece of manuscript and commenced to
read from it in big commanding voice
well knowing of the ammunition held
in reserve for him. 1t is always Gus
tomary for the members of the club
to make life miserable for the retiring
president and before Mr.. Kiene had
finished his first sentence there were
ten men on the floor calling for order,
for peace and for help. However, this
did not make an impression upon the
president who went right ahead with
his save the country Grafton
Mr.. Kiene finally sat down mid a
storm of cheers and applause. 1t was
evident that he had conquered his
enemies after all and his last words |
We're given with vehemence and were
listened to with awe.
Mr.. Kiene added a clever little ex- |
PLANTATION to his talk just before telling |
of a number Of the members in the |
crowd. Behind him was situated a big |
frame and in this frame were a num- |
Der of crayon cartoons representing |
members of the club. The cartoons
were made by Parsons, the State Jour |
nal cartoonist. John Macdonald was
pictured in his Scotch Highland Fling |
garb. E. D. McKeever was hunting for |
a thread to his political advancement" |
Arthur Capper was drawn standing in |
naughty attitude in front of his build |
ing labelled "Cappertal." The men car |
TONED were John Macdonald, E. D. |
McKeever. John Switzer, Silas Porter, |
Rosseau A. Burch, Charles Sessions, |
Arthur Capper and Fred Bullene.
McKeever on Short Terms.
Short Terms in Office was the sub
ject of an address printed on the pro-
SraIn1ne just before the name OF EDWIN |
D. McKeever. Mr.. McKeever not only /
had to talk Of short terms but he |
talked in short terms. He commenced |
Mr.. President, (''You start all right"
came from the crowd, I desire to say |
tonight CT doubt it, from another end |
Of the room), that my talk on this sub
ject will be very short and brief" This |
brought down the house. Cries of |
"Hurrah" Such luckr' Couldn't be |
more satisfactory THE shorter the
better" were heard. But this did not |
affect the speaker. He told of his am
bitions-either to be president or drum |
major in a niger minstrel show. When |
he went on to tell of the many things |
he had been through some one yelled
That's all right, but what's been |
through your" He then went on to ex-