New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-01-21

little before o'clock. accompanen D!
Major Butt, his aid, and his secre'a'',
George D. Hiles. All of the two hundred
diners arose and applauded as the FTes'-
dent entered. and the band played the ma
tional anthem. The President wore Ms
! usual broad and happy smile. and wa%'h
cheerful mood as he spoke.
"Mr. Chairman. ladies' and gentlemeri OF
the Society OF the Genesee." began the
President, "as I look about this ineer-
esting audience. 1t seems to me that i see
good many people have met before al
other dinners as having come from otner
parts OF the world and other parts OF 'cne
State OF New York.
This caused laughter, many Of the menu
bers Of the society having stayed but zone
night I'm the valley Of tho Genesee.
And I wonder" the President resumed,
whether YOU do anything else in New
York except dine. I'm something OF a
diner myself. Laughter and applause.) i
meet my friends Cortelyou and Hedges at
dinners either in this hotel or some other
hotel whenever come to New York, and
! come often
His Cheerfulness Infectious.
The cheerfulness and gsyety of the Presi-
dent infected every one. and again he had
TO pause until their laughter ceased
They are always there" continued the
President The truth Is now never meet
man that he doesn't invite me to dine.
whether 1t is my proportions that awaken
interest or whether It Is habit, l am unable
TO saw.
But certain 1t is that to-day banquets
are part OF the life of a so-called states
man, and good digestion an essential If he
is to laugh.
This, I understand. is small but select
organization OF gentlemen who began as
farmers In one Of the richest valleys of
New York and have graduated as agri-
culturists 10 come TO New York to spend
the savings they made as farmers In the
Genesee Valley.
And whenever the Genesee Valley is
suggested II suggests the Wadsworth and
other old families up there"
President Taft then facetiously referred
| to the mode of life in the Genesee Valley,
saying he supposed that II the rest OF the
state knew they had sort Of peerage oil
their own II would doom them to political
isolation.
1T is interesting" he continued, always
&c study what men go to make up life In
| city community. I don't want TO renect on
| those gentlemen who were born In New
York and have lived there all their lives
but 7 rather think that an examination
! would show that II II had not been Tor the
intelligence and enterprise Of those VINO
gave ND the country air OF their childhood
YOU wouldn't have such city as New York
is to-day"
President Taft ended his brief speech by
topinS all would have a pleasant evening
Dspew Greets the President.
Chauncey Depew, who sat at the guest
table. walked over TO pay his respects 10
the President as he finished The President
laughed heartily as he greeted the former
Senator The Right Rev. Thomas F.
Hickey, Bishop Of Rochester, and others
at the guest table were then presented to
the President, and he Immediately left TO
go to the Bar Association dinner.
AS usual the President was toasted ana
his health drunk standing.
Chauncey NJ. Depew was then introduced
by Job L. Hedges, who acted as toast
master. q,
Mr.. Depew brought the house down when
| H. referred 10 the Colonel Harvey ood-
| row Wilson Colonel Watterson fuss, saying:
1T seems a great pity TO me that great
| Governor and scholar and educator should
| he done TO Death by two of the most mill
| tant colonies in the United States.
Go ernor Dix was not feeling we'll and
made brief speech.
| Others present were Mayor Hiram II.
! Edgerton of Rochester, Don C. Seitz, JUS
| tice Edward J. Gavegan. Richard b. All
croft, IT, Edison S. Lott. William Brosmlth.
| FIbridge l. Adams, James NJ. Bell, Justice
! Abel E. Blackmar, William j. Burns,
| George B. Cortelyou, Congressman II. G.
| Danforth, George G. Foster, Samuel s.
Koenig Ribert +. Jennings. William TraV-
/ ers jerome Ralph Peters, w. III. Trues-
dale, Samuel Untermyer. William r. Will
cox, chairman of the Public Service Com
| mission and Clark Williams.