National Republican., 1876-01-17
HANDSOME GIFT.

Presentation 10 . Warthy Ex-OmeAsl.
OH December 81 the wsll-known and much es. I
teemed W. W. Curtis, who for four years past has
been chief clerk Of the General Land once, re-
signed his position to enter upon business LIE
where we trust q more adequate reward than the
meagre salary of Government clerk awaits him.
On Saturday Iss., 81 o'clock, his late fellow
clerks united in presenting to hin cSea or their
respect and affection In the shape OF a beautiful
collection of silver ware for family use consisting
Of fifty pieces, inclosed in an elegant morOcco case
suitably inscribed. The Commissioner OF the
Land Oiice, on behalf Of the clerks; In few well!
chosen ard feeling remarks, presented the tes:i-
monial. He spoke as follows:
REMARKS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
Mr.. Curtis For we'll nigh fifteen years You
served the Government in the General Land
Office. Beginning ut the lowest round oil tue
clerical ladder you mounted to the top: when you
severed your connection with US you held the po-
sition OF chief clerk. That you did not reach be-
yond-if such may ever have been your desire
that you were competent to discharge most &C
ceptably the duties Of the commissionership, and
entitled to whatever of consideration that office
carries with 1t, those who know you best will
have 10 doubt. How well you have served the
people during these fifteen years; how faithfully
ried into the official record, there to remain as
testimonial to you and your children from gener-
aIT aOn " tbeIe and then boaa folly
which asserts its independence, which declares
its indifference to the opinions OF the present,
and assumes to court the verdict OF the record
Of the future-alone Such is not the impulse of
right-thinking men, certainly never that OF
W T1g eo1lm H. that our best Joy comes from the
assurance that those who surround US and mark
cur ways follow US not alone with the assent
which is accorded to business or official useful
ness and fair dealing, but with the warmer
motions Of personal regard and good viii. This
piace in ofciaI records. That happily it has been
your lot whilst discharging public duties onerous
In themselves, and often calling for the exercise
seemingly invidious In their nature, to yet gather
to yourself their most hearty personal esteem,
this their valuable and elegant gift Is the testi
monial.
In their name now present it to you, and with
ii am sure may also convey not only the assur-
yourself and Tor your family, but their sincere
wish that Providence may have in store for you
ample blessing and reward for all your future
lRbOrs.
RESPONSE OF Mr.. CURTIS.
Mr.. Curtis responded as follows:
Mr.. Commissioner, my friends, and, until very
lately, my co-laborers and associates: have had
mitted to drop quietly out of official life without
the formality OF leave-taking until very short
time ago, when was requested BY one or two Of
your number to be present upon this occasion.
The words you have spoken, my friend, take as
expressive Of the feeling Of my former associates
nothing iii ip Wstmth Of feeling or eoSuencs rO9 @
the medium through which they have been con-
Veyed to me. But how shall respond to you,
Judgment" with all my imperfections on my
tongue? am in even worse plight than that
favorite humorist Of our country, who, upon an
occasion somewhat similar to this, protested that
he had the gift Of eloquence, but he hadn't II
with him. But even had the gift OF eloquence,
how poorly would it serve me upon this oc;a-
sion, and how beggarly would 1t seem by the
side Of this rich gift OF yours.
1t has been many days since any Official death,
and if days Of mourning were indeed at all re-
left this office rich, rich in the kindly words and
wishes which came 10 me from every one, bat TO-
Of this beautiful token of your friendship and at
time when i am powerless TO help or harm you.
How shall thank you? know we'll the hack
and Iineer on my tongue but, even though spoken
in all sincerity would fail to speak my feelings
In my poverty Of phrase, can oaly give you my
Door thanks. God knows how sincere they are.
Thanks, not only for this expression of kindness,
but as look back through the years, and call to
mind many pleasant events OF our past asso:ia-
tion, can wish my successor no better fate than
that he should, in his official career, find so many
pleasant relations, and meet with as hearty friend
ship and cooperation as have fallen to my lot II
you may have spoken kind words Of me my pride
will not be humbled by hearing kinder words oi
him "Who, coming after me, is preferred before
me-"
that was uppermost in my mind when sevseII
my official connection with this office and stsPo1
out upon the new life that was before me- ms
entered; twas not the laying aside of te ht
duties which had become q second 20 aa'Iae Iin Tus
that painful feeling one would fee, W M a. h, *
his own household never again to 'h'eF 1t ous aS
And now, friends, can but. ay ;. that L a:c:pt S
it is rendered. only fear n dds In1s ACT oI eyer
kindness to me you may TeaItS Of az vo-ds a.
ness to yourselves @e IN partpF "a with
"God bless each an 80