The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-05-05
After the Elimination Of the
Savory viands, Oratory and
Cigar Smoke Filled the
Large Hall.
MERRYMAKERS EVEN
ATTEMPTED POETRY
President John F.. Mccarthy
Made an Excellent Toast
master and Told Of the
First Banquet Held.


Greater unanimity of spirit never
1ound more general expression at any
gathering in this city. than that which
marked the fifteenth annual banquet
OF the Richmond Commercial club last
evening at the Masonic temple. About
400 OF the city's business men. mer-
chants, retailers and wholesalers.
manufacturers and public utility rep
ressntatives, joined IN making the af-
4 str the most successful of the fifteen.
Evcry business line Of the city was
Represented. And there develop6d ir
the great body 81 men the sinAlc pur-
pnse, "Ricl,morditas for Richmond"
II wassa few minutes after o'clock
when the Richmond 400 formed in
line for the advance to the banquet
hall The tables were laid In the large
hall on the fourth floor. They were
decorated with cut and potted flowers.
AT each plate was q carnation. As
the horde advanced to the tables tbs
Richmond orchestra rendered lively
air.
Some Disappointment.
The occasion proved to be superior
in several ways to anything OF = simi-
lar nature that has been held locally.
disappointment was Keen when 1t be-
came known that Horace Starr. Of In
dianapolis, Senator w. A. Kittinger.
OF Anderson and Hush TIL. Miller. o.
Columbus, had been unable to attend
Mr.. Starr was compelled to be In ar
other part Of the state and sent his re-
grets. He was notified OF tthe inter-
ruption of his plans only yesterday.
Senator Kittinger Was detained at
home by Illness and Gov. Miller was
prevented through illness In the fam
fly. Each of these men Is an excel
lent after dinner speaker and their
Inability to be present was matter
Of general regret.
There was q feast Of reason" after
the viands prepared by the Eastern
Star had been disposed of. There
were relishes or wit and humor that
kept all in jovial moo6 And there
was the fragrance OF the Havana to
subdue any spirit OF insurrection that
may have arisen when the hour show
ed the last street cars had gone ito
che barns.
Burns Dinner Toast.
sSome hae meat what Gamma eat
Some, hae meat that want 1t.
But We hae meat and we can eat 1t.
And SO the lord be thankfl.''
The verse from Burns appeared on
an arch in the rear of the speakers
table ana seemed to express the senti-
ment OF the banaueters. Poetry was
1n order several times during the ev-
ening and those who sing in rhythm
were called upon for frequent quota
Nons. There were some. who at
tempted q little of their own origin
and Il proved equally entertaining to
the hearers--it may be even moreso.
The program was long but not un-
interesting. Topics of local. state and
national interest were dwelt upon.
One speaker crossed the ocean and
found subject for comparison to the
United States. The recent local or
tion election was butt for the jok-
en-. Those who knew the returns and
what they Indicated only from what
they had read In the newspapers
took delight ID making fun at the ex-
pense Of the county. But the tannts
were without sting. One serious
minded speaker found the option cleo
tion . cause nor dissertation on
home rule The municipal election OF
Monday was another topic that was
treated repeatedly. Local speakers
placed the most significance Ii this,
hut after approaching to the ragged