New-York tribune., 1909-02-13
MR.. TAFT AT DINNER
CREOLE BANQUET GUEST.
Speaks to Negroes and Plays Fare
SCeU Game of Golf.

New Orleanss Feb 12.-WiIliarn H TAFT breathed
the distinctive atmosphere of New Orleans hos
pl1ahty to-day and tonight. His morning
devoted to the negro race his afternoon to leisure
ana recreation with the tension entertainment
light as possible. but with the shades OF evening
mere gathered about him the genial host, multi
pied by eninence. rank and distinction.
Inc entertainment feature tonight Creole
banquet where the fattened oysters the savoriness
OF the cuisine with its hundreds of years OF repu-
tation. blended with the honeyed words of conplf
ment and oratory, music and floral tribute. Mr..
Iaft was toasted by the Governor, the Mayor citi.
1ens or prominence and speakers Of reputation An
invocation was pronounced by Cardinal Gibbons
who is in the city visiting his brother Nr Taft
responded in the spirit OF the occasion. He talked
or MS desire as the Chief Executive to represent
the whole nation, OF his intention TO make the
representatives Of the administration in the South
represent the best element OF the communities In
which they ived OF his recent visit the Isthn1us
OF Panama and with repetition OF his hope for
tthe completion OF the canal within his administrs-
ton.
THE CREOLE BANQUET.
The banquet was given in the newly decorated
banquet hall OF the Grunewald Hotel vhers Mr
Taft is qusrtsred- A Thousand citizens paid s25
each for places at the board, and considerably
than half OF these present.
To-day being Friday. fish was a notable feature
OF the banquet The recipe for 'fbuiia baise" one
OF the principal dishes, includes six slices of red
snapper. six slices of red fish, half q bottle Of
white wine, half lemon. six large fresh tomatoes
three onions. three cloves of garlic and three bay
leaves This is the dish that drew from Thackeray
the remark that In New Orleans you can get a
'buillsbsise' the like OF which was never eaten IN
MarseiIies or Paris"
The banquet would not have been regarded as
conplete without Creole sumbo. and only was
II served, but recipe was given the Taft party
Casburgot chAnbord another feature The
richness of this dish may be judged from the in
gradients. which include . fine sleeps head. two
dozen oysters, three large tomatoes. cup OF
stale bread. three sprigS each OF thyme and pars-
ley, quart OF fresh mushrooms. two large onions.
two bay leaves, three cloves. bottle of white
vine and salt and pepper 10 taste.
Although conferences during the day were had
between Mr. TAFT and Mr.. Hitchcock, his Postmas-
ter General, and Treasurer Uphsm of the national
committee nothing definite obta!nable regard
ing the undecided places IN the Cabinet Mr. Hitch
cock furnished certain information desired by Mr..
Taft. but the etdtude Of the President-eIect
frain from discussion not changed.
In his speech TO the negroes to-day Mr. Taft
reiterated his well defined principles regarding the
development of the negro and the settlement
OF the race question. He gave wholesome advice
to the effect that the big question be solved
ny the effort of the individual rather than by any
PRONUNCIATION Of a general principle He wanted
be considered the President the whole country
the President OF every in the country, and
pressed his sympathy with the struggle the black
man FOR progress This speech delivered TO an
audience Of negroes which filled the srandstsud
bleachers and large portion OF the grounds OF
the local baseball park, and what he said
ceived with marked approval.
FAREWELL GAME OF GOLF
The afternoon spent at the country club,
which not only afforded the opportunity for a
luncheon party. but opportunity for what will
doubtless be the last game OF golf Mr.. Taft will
indulge in for many months Mrs Taft took ad-
vantage OF the opportunity to do some shopping
during the day
MI and Mrs. Taft viii leave here for Cincinnati
at $40 O'Clock tomorrow morning. arriving IN
that city at 10:A5 Sunday. Monday afternoon the
Pr~sident-eiect vfIl start for Washington.
Governor Sanders, responding TO the toast
Louisiana" at the banQust tonight, after sx-
tending 8 hearty welcome to Mr.. Tart, spoke in
favor Of the federal government assuming the
maintenance Of the levee system OF the Mississippi
River and some OF It's tributaries.
Governor Sanders took up the possibility OF
legislation innical TO the rico and interests
of the South and appealed to Mr.. Taft to protect
these interests He asked that thought be given
us the Americans who engaged in this farming
industry and that the eyes OF those who sit in the
seats of the mighty rest upon us for q while and
not be turned exclusively 10 those Eho toll beyond