The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-11-10
TAFT IN CHARLESTON.
DELIGHTFUL BANQUET IN PTESI.
DENTS HONOR.
The City of Hospitality Maintains its
Reputation as Il Host-Prcsident
Taft Makes a Brief Speech That Was
Devoid Politics and in Excellent
Taste.
(NewS and COurier.O


quet given in his honor at the Char
lesion Hotel last night. His speech
was filled with local illusions and it
was punctuated throughout with
laughter and applause. He declared
In coming here he did not feel that
the reception accorded him by Char
lesion was simply the hospitable vel
come of another hospitable Southern
city, but that it was a sort Of home
coming; that in reaching Charleston
he was back again among friends who
knew him personally and whose
names and faces were those of fami-
lar friends. He reminded the ban
queters that this was his sixth visit
TO Charleston, and repeated with pos
itiveness his belief that this was the
pest OF all cities from which to en-
bark for Panama. He paid high
tribute to George Lagare, had some
good natured fun at the expense of
the Governor and Senators of South
Carolina and of his local newspaper
friends, told amusingly of his exper-
fences on the present trip and ended
with the earnest hope that Charles
ton might lose none of those things
which today make her unique among
American cities.
the banquet last night was a COM
plete success in all respects. The
guests included, besides Mr.. Taft and
his party. the Governor of the State,
both the United States Senators from
South Carolina, representatives Of the
army and navy and leading newspaper
and Chamber of Commerce men from
all parts of South Carolina, besides
large number Of the leading citizens
OF Charleston. The banquet was en-
joyed by all present. Practically ev-
cry seat at the table was filed, and
with only few exceptions all the in
vited guests were present, some of
them coming from considerable dis
tances especially for this event
To Chairman Samuel Lapham, Of
the banquet committee Is due the larg-
est share Of the credit for the
smoothness with which everything
passed of. All the arrangements had
been carefully planned before hand,
and the schedule was adhered to as
arranged throughout. The beautiful
ly decorated banquet hall was entered
promptly at 8 o'clock and the dinner
had been served, Mr.. Taft had made
his address and everything was over
at half after II o'clock.
The guests began assembling in the
lobbies Of the Charleston Hotel short
ly after o'clock. There they min
gled pleasantly and those who had not
met the President were introduced to
him. Shortly before O'Clock they
were formed into lines according to
the tables at which they were to be
seated and under the marshalship Of
Messrs r. G., O'Neile, Montague
Triest, Danl L. Sinkler and p. H.
Gadsden they were escorted into the
banquet hall while the First Band.
Coast Artilledy Corps, played patrio-
tic airs. The band was located on a
stand in the court yard Immediately
outside the banquet hall, the windows
being open. and their music through
out the banquet added greatly to the
pleasure Of the occasion.
Mr.. Taft escorted by Mayor Rhett.
was the last to enter the banquet hall.
He was cheered hearty upon his en-
trance.
The banquet was served in the large
dining hall Of the Charleston Hotel.
All Thursday night and all day yes
terday force Of skilled workmen had
labored under the capable guidance Of
Dir. T. ]. McCarty. OF the Connelley-
McCarty Company, to make the ban
quet as beautiful as possible The re-
suit was all that could have been de-
sired. Inc whole atmosphere was one
Of unobtrusive elegance.
The tables had been arranged in the
form of gigantic punch bowl. In
the centre was a beautiful sunken
garden. while all around the outlines
of the bowl the guests were seated.
The Presidential party was located at
the north table. Just behind the Pre-
sident's chair, in the centre of his ta-
BILE. were two very large vases of ex-
tremely handsome chrysanthemums
Immediately in front of the President
were the marble steps leading down
into the sunken garden. At the points
to his right and to his left where the
walls Of the garden joined the table
| at which ne and his party were seat
l.,I