National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-07
PRESENTATION.

DIR. KEENE PRESENTED WITH A BADGE.
A very pleasant affair was the presentation
last Saturday afternoon Of badge to DR.. Reene,
health officer Of the District, by the sanitary
inspectors under his supervision.
The inspectors, highly appreeiatlng thesterling
qualities Of their chief as officer and gentle
man, resolved to express their appreciation in
suitable manner, and decided upon and had made
q gold badge Of the most exquisite workmanship.
The badge CONSISTS Of uaTTUT plate with curved
top, on which is inscribed "Dr. P. T. Keene." At
each end Of this plate is q ring from which de-
ponds the badge prOper-a shield bearing the in
scription, Health Ohieer of the District Of
Columbia" On the reverse side was the inscriF-
ton, "A testimonial Of respect from the inspec-
tors" With the present, which was in the nature
of q surprise, the inspectors assembled as usual
to make their daily reports, and were not little
discounted On learning that the health oficer
was in private conversation with some members
Of the Board OF Health, and would not be access
ible for hour or two. By little sharp practice,
however, they secured his presence in the health
office, where, finding all the inspectors and
clerks assembled to man, together with some
members Of the board and few admring
friends unconnected with the Board Of Health,
he was at a loss to comprehend the meaning Of
the unusually happy expressions on the cOunte-
nanees Of those assembled: nor was he enlightened
until Mr.. Wolf, meat inspector, introduced Mr..
W. II. Craig the oldest inspector on the force,
who from that circumstance had acquired the
soubTiqust Of Past IGrand,' who said:
DR.. Keene, have been selected by my brother
inspectors to perform the most pleasing and in
teresting duty of presenting you. as q token OF
our esteem Tor you, this badge OF once. You
have been our health officer Tor more than Ons
year, and Turing that time we have had n iavOra-
BILE opportunity OF Judging and knowing your
qualifications and merit. We have ever found
you ready TO sympathiZe with and assist US in the
more dithcult duties belonging to our respective
positions, and il gives us no little pleasure to say
that not only are We proud to have such chief,
but through your unt.ring efforts in the sanitary
interests OF the District OF Columbia the citizens
themselves, are fast learning fully 10 appreciate
labOrs its executive officer. We shall continue
TO strive, in the future as IN the past, to do our
whole duty in assisting you promote the highest
sanitary good of the District. Accept this badge
with the assurance in its purity and durability il
htly represents the affection entertained for you
by your inspectors"
DR.. Keene responded to these remarks in a neat
and feeling speech, in which he thanked the in
spectOrs for their expressions Of confidence and
good will, assuring them that he accepted the
present on this account, and particularly for its
appropriateness. II he had, at any time, seemed
unnecessarily severe in the administration of his
ONCE 1t was because Of his earnest desire to Sc
cure the highest degree Of efficiency in the in
spectors, and thus secure TO the citizens of the
District all the advantages possible from the de-
partment over which he prssides. He would ever
cherish in grateful remembrance the many evil
dences Of good Will on the part Of the inspectors
and now epitomized In the badge which they Ere
sented, and hoped he might continue to merit
them.