The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-02-18
GR|D|RON CLUB
ENTERTA|NS IN
ROYAL MANNER
MISS DEMOCRACY THE BELLE or
THE MID WINTER DINNER
WHICH WAS ATTENDED, BY
PRESIDENT TAFT AND MANY
OTHER DISTINGUISHED VS.
IToRs.
speeIal to The yourna..

9PCCtat 10 u No SouFuaf.
Washington. Feb. 17.-Miss Democ-
rgcy was the belle OF the mid-winter
dinner of the Gridiron club tonight.
while members disguised to represent
the several candidates for the Demo-
cratic presidential nomination enter
tanned with their wooing q distin-
guished company, including President
Taft, some of the candidates in per-
sen, prominent members OF congress
Of all factions. and guests from a num-
Der of states.
Festivities began, as usual. with the
blazing up OF the red and white
lights of the immense gridiron over
the head of the presiding officer. and
from that moment until the diners
were dismissed to the strains of sThe
Song That Touched, My Heart can
6idafes Of the Democratic faith were
continually in evidence. They APP
peared as judges of election, members
OF court of honor, as Robin Hoods
band of lusty outlaws, and as contend
ers in steeplechase. The situation
was enlivened occasionally by a few
breaking in upon the dominant and in
sistent Democratic candidates.
Louis Garth of the Baltimore
American was initiated as president of
the club and was subjected to q
griIling cross examination by ten
presidential candidates in order to
his fitness Champ Clark wanted to
know of Mr.. Garthe whether he
favored tearing down custom houses
and annexing Canada. La Toilette
asked what he would think of Gods
patient poor biting a. piece out of a
fat corporation every day." while Os-
car Underwood put his question intoJ
rhyme, thus:
IF cut steel and steel cuts me.
Can cut ice as g. nominee2 2"
The answer was: Not If Mr.. Bryan
sees you first
To the sGentlemen's Court OF Hon
orr was left the reply to Woodrow
Wilson's query: Us the schOolmaster
abroad safer than at homer Har-
mons pathetic appeal, Running for 3
real president. which would you rather
have, Cleveland's blessing, Bryan's
curse, or an Ohio candidate against
answer, MY candidate is not running
in Ohio
The Gridiron club permits its guests
to share in the fun attending the in
itiation of q new member. and there
was no exception tonight when M
Harry Stevens was added to the limit
ed membership. A spot light in the
darkened hall disclosed an old time
lard, who delivered The Lay Of the
Last Minstrel His songs. though set
| IN classic music, were redolent of
present politics. Thus sang Bryan OF
''The Nomination.:
Believe me. If all those Endearing
Charms,
Which SO fondIy to conquer try,
Were to vanish tomorrow and fade in
AS they faded In campaigns gone
by,
You would stiil be adored as this mo-
nent thou art,
Let the delegates vote as they will.
Around your dear image each wish OF
my Teart,
Would entwine itself verdantly stiIl.
Asked for one Of raft's favorite airs
the minstrel sang to the tune Of
"Tara's Harp"
Oh. the tariff talk In congress halls.
Grows sadder day by day,
And Underwood INCREASINGLY calls
Upon the band to play.
A veto 6ercely turks about,
With musket and with sword
To kill BIN put through without
Leave from Taft's tariff board.
The whiskers were pulled from the
minstrePs face by q suspicious mem
Der. and the trembling neophyte stood
revealed. He WAS warned that only
Ambassador Bryce and Uncle Joe Can
non were privileged TO wear boards at
Gridiron dinners, and was then exam
med as follows:
What is your opinion OF woodrow
wilson,
IF you want me to sing It, I can
give you q lovely, melancholy funeral
chant"
Have you ever heard OF Senator
Cummins?''
-oh, he is that fellow VINO wrote
Every Little Movement etc"