Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-11
PRESIDENT TAFT STAYS
HAND OF EXECUTI0NER
incidents of Last Campaign and Grim
Forecast Of Future Politics Are Pic
tured in Comedy Sketch and Ia
acknowledgement of Champ
Clark Election Bet.
(By Associated Press)

past, present and future, was the
dominant note at the annual fail
dinner of the Gridiron Club tonight
President Taft was there with mem
bers of his cabinet; Vioe-President
Sherman; senators and representa-
tiveS in congress; latest presidential
possibilities; newly-elected governors
of states and men Of mark in vari
Gus positions and of all shades of
political belief, and ambass adors and
ministers plenipotentiary Of foreign
countries who were numbered among
the clubs guests heard with wonder
the good natured grilling administer
ed by the newspaper men to their
victims. With tableaux and comedy
sketch and topical song. in clever
speech and moving picture, the incl
dents of the last campaign were re-
called and grim forecast made of the
future.
And right wittily and with many a
scintillating thrust Of oratory did the
objects of this attention retort upon
their tormentors. Forgotten for the
moment were party differences: vic
tor and vanquished joined hand and
glove in repelling the attack of their
critics.
Uncle Joe Sentenced.
Clearing the way Tor the incoming
Democracy, Uncle Joe" Cannon was
swept aside and in skif embodying
parody upon the Mikado, he was
sentenced TO decaDitation. 1t was left
to him to select his executioner. Vic
tor Murdoch, he declared. was TOO
hasty" while he feared Senator La
Toilette would talk him to death. The
man he selected as of strong arm
and sure. an old friend, was "Ko Ko'
Longworth. Just in the nick of time
President Taft, in the person of the
Mikado. STAYED the hand of the Exc
cutioner and commuted Uncle Joe's"
sentence to staying in Congress, as
helpless minority and to being chain
ed to his seat during the debate on
the House rules The catchy chorus
of the Mikado's son ran:
MY smile is still serene"
AS plainly may be seem
NO matter how they may jump
the track and batter the old ma
chine"
For I am quite content"
ITO do the work that's meant"
For a big American President"
American President"
Redemption Of cIark's Bet.
A furious cracking of whips and
clanking of chains. and roars Of "Ged-
dap" and stamping Of hoofs signaliz-
ed the approach of tumultous party
from outside. Il portrayed the re-
demption of Champ ClaTk's famous
aute-elsction pledge TO ride down
Pennsylvania avenue behind team
of mules il he were elected speaker
The actor who represented Mr.. Clark
was clothed in farmers costume
with>bie whip. overalls, wide felt hat
and hickory shirt He was riding
two wheeled cart cracking his whip
aud shouting at his mules, christened
Lob" and Fritz" Dragging behind
in heavy chains were Cannon, Daizeh
and Payne. At every other step the
Ex-Speaker yelled defantly "Dicta-
tort Gear"
Ollie James introduced Clark as
the new Speaker, and the latter
promptly sentenced bis prisoners to
various punishmants. such as the as
siRpment OF Cannon to the chairman
ship Of the committee on Disposition
Of Useless Paper" (where the AID
rich-Payne-Smoot Tariff was con-
signed) while Payne and Daizell were
to be trampled by Ollie James. Clark
undertook to define his policies but
had only gotten to the point where
n. declared for free trade when the
marty broke up IN row.
Miss Democracy"
Few OF the guests at first could re-
cognizs the dainty little lady Miss
Democracy in the brswny. big mus
cIed. large WASTED and base voiced
female in evening dress who occupied
in solitary state the place Of honor
on the Democratic Band Wagon which
drew up on the stage. Hanging on
we're various candidates for the pres
Dental Office. but the lady while c1y.
vas also firm IN her attitude AID
presented a face Of flint TO her suit
ors. She announced hat she was not a
ssmeerinE old-rnaid. bat was militant.
that she was taking this JOY ride frr
the first tire IN sixteen years anJ
had chartered II for cure a spell too.
When the President souEht 70 exPe,i
her she defed him. szv'1y tiat he
talked 'liks T. r. before election
dav.~
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