The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-08
Pathos Not Lacking in
Levity and Fun OF
Gridironers.
BID FAREWELL TO
PRESIDENT TAFT
Political Avalanche of November
Furnishes Theme Upon Which
Wit and Humor of News
paper Men Are Played at
Their Annual Fall
Dinner.

Washington, December THE land
slide OF 1912: how II happened, and
the futiiity OF an attempt 10 reorgan-
ize the &c. o. P" on the old lines
were the themes upon which played
the wit and humor of the Grid1ron
Club at the annual fall dinner to-
night Events OF political Importance
and action upon which turned ma
tional ISSUES were treated in a spirit
OF Ievity and fun. Underlying each
Jest and quip and skit were touches
of human sympathy and kindness tor
the victims OF the November ava
lanche, as well as some bits of homely
advice and warning for the victors.
that kept everybody in good humor.
Not even his late political. enemies
failed TO welcome the pathetic tri-
butte to President Taft in the song
rendered by the Gridiron Quartetts,
appealing to him mot to forget us
when you go away The President
sat and listened with the members
of his Cabinet scattered about the
banquet hall.
Fun starts Early.
The fun started early. 1t was dis
covered that tho usually immaculate
hall was not as tidy as 1t should be,
and White Wing Was sent about
gathering all sorts OF litter. This
turned out TO be Campaign rubbish.
and each ind brought forth ripple
OF applause. He pulled out from the
banosrand a pair of moose horns. and
the club menroers tossed into. his bag
some worn-o out souvenirs OF the Gam
paign. such were the Last positive
predictions of Senator Dixon and
Charles ID. Hilies': That smile that
wouldn't come on; the BLUR at Big
Business. o. KID by Bill Bryan; q
coupe of old empty wallets, onss
marked &C. P. T." and thu other "G- W.
p" the peace treaties the Commerce
court, and the hopes of henry CABOT
Lodge for the cnairma nship OF the
Foreign Relations Committee
Unlike other clubs, the Gridiroc
Club initiates its members in public
and this time it acquired two worthy
young journalists in novel fashion
Eobbling into the hall on clutches,
bandagej, hats knocked in and clothes
dishevelled, came caricatures of Presi-
dent Taft. Uncle Joe" Cannon. Nick
Longworth. Murray Crane and Repre-
sentatives Sulloway. Mckinley and
DaIzeu. Some of the landslides de-
cIared their purpose TO reorganizs the
Republican party rallying around the
messengers from these States each
announced their four votes in lin
erick, Vermont declaring:
In the Green Mountain State. Tecoi-
leo.
Old Taft won BY a neck;
And we'd We elected him.
Eff they hadn't neglected him.
In forty-six states, by heck
The messengers. IL was discovered. ;
were Bull Moose spies. in disguise
who. when stripped of their false
bearas. turned out to be the new mem
bers OF the club. Charles p keyser'
correspondent Of the st. Louis Globe
Democrat. and Edward B. Clark, cor
respondent Of the Chicago Evening
Post.
College insists on Meeting
The Republican Electoral Coilese
insisted on meeting while the dinner
was in progress to name candidate
for the second place. for which ar
Gus names were suggested. only Z"
he Instantly vithdrawn By soiicitous
friends. OF such was that staoie-
minded. uever-changinE- hiS-vic~s pa
triot." Herbert : Hadley. the "ster-
ling r.vislouist.~ Reed Snoot; the IN
,incible Borah": the great friend o.
the common people senator Fenrose'
and Roberf Marion LaFoilette. whose
motto Is. Forgive your enemies VINO
recommended mat the place be gwen
TO oyster Bay"
Tben the scene changed 70 the,
orisnt. and the Battle q Arnaseo1on
was fought in realistic style. as de-
srr.bed BY half dozen var oor
s,o,5en.S To- the benefit % old SAIL
~
connicts. -.
r-i.-l Marshal u'V1n RAD moved down
--t.sr ra-Sns- Mrromts. with par
..-.-.- -,.,.htne Mr-orlbS had poured
49, .s.-.rr.rr iafr Field N&rsnaf
rsirI.s ard Niles RAD hit Dixin with
49,. rfaia-itv ll4iuk N.dshipI-@H
-.s.o-5 plnrrot. aid O. General Per
si-s reported that TIC Senerai nse1se
gr,u,-nition and had sent him for
fo.snfai--pcn 20 write cneck- Wa
saul supposed % ee nof.e' w..
-. - re a Bull Moose. and the two
49,. h.~~i-r on his sank. Adam Bedc
"a John Harlan. were saii 70 be tse
--r..,.h reuers- DO they tel the
nh inquired saul To which Cor
resroadent Champ clark replied. say
mister. you're not q kinE. you're ne
court ester.
Carnage I. FrfEssfst
F~s.r from the Battlefield On hi-
r,r.e. Correspondent WattcTson -
...-s.l tnaf a. te irff ~ SID. t7c
f.n-oc~a-s of TIE Housc were tryin<
lo orange ths tarir schedries- ~and
she earuaxc ~aS friahff1- fnfocso
81. glasses. saul siscsrned the general
"a a.. Rsu Moose. dashing tc~er1
-. s.rxe general seated 81 the rot-
- 80. foIfourd ~ frr fEuW9u