The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-03-08
A Presentation.

On Thursday morning the Assembly was called
oorder at $50, and alter the transaction of bust
ness for thirty minutes, at 10 O'Clock a motion
was made TO take recess for fifteen minutes
The Hon. ]. ] Harris, Speaker of the House, then
called Colonel COttrell 10 the chair having been
quietly informed that the members desired to
present the Colonel with cane, in token of their
high regard for him personally and the value
placed upon his public services TO the State.
Colonel Cottrell, upon the other hand, had been
informed that he would be called upon TO preside
and present TO the Speaker handsome gold chain
anil charm as an emblem of the high appreciation
by the members of the Legislature OF 1891 Of his
ability and impartialiiy as Speaker Of the House
Imagine, then, the surprise of both when the
other arose and IN presentation speech offered
the articles named. in behalf of the Assembly, as
a remembrance of their kindness and esteem
Speaker Harris spoke in substance as follows:
Colonel Cottrell: / have the honor upon the
part of the members of the Assembly of 1881 to
present you this cane as token of their esteem
and appreciation of you individually and Of your
services to the State; may it serve to support
your weakening frame for many years TO come.
Accept ii in the spirit it is given, with our best
wishes for long life and prosperity.
Col. COttrell replied substantially
Mr.. Speaker l am completely overpowered.
Next to the approval of my own conscience
esteem the regard and good fellowship of my
fellOw-men. First God then nv own conscience
and then the approval of my associates. This
manifestation OF your kind appreciation takes me
by surprise and unnerves me. | was wholly un-
prepared to witness it, and / receive il as an
emblem of your regard and shall hand it down
TO my children q memento TO be cherished by
them | can only return my sincere thanks. l.
thank you from my heart
And now Dir. Speaker the members of this
Ssembly hold yoG in their highest esteem, and
=. ~e the honor for these, our brethren TO pre-
10 u With this chain and charm as a token of
seniIy >sIsa for you as friend and gentleman,
,neit est, SRd impartial presiding officer.
AIS an apig ~ss-COl Cottrell and gentlemen :;
t Speaker ia. '<e at my command to express
nv. $3.50 ~ ,angu gu. >oT, The accumulation of
feeling overpowers me; 1.,;cn Of wei done ,e
me 10 have your accIa. + have .ndes voreJ
good and faithful servant ..S IN odvsnce
TO do my duty to the membe "a $1,000 a,a,e
the prosperity of my adopted a. sor ms $50
L thank you deeply and sincerely r shoii
OF regard; its worth is invaluable to ~ 80
always remember our kind relations q sn1l
never forget individually COLLECTIVE, W 'ne
Legislature of 1881.
The cane was a beautiful stick of what
known as "crab-wood,T native of the lower
peninsular, with the following inscription en-
graved the solid gold head " To Col. J. L. |
F Cottrsll, from the Assembly, Tallahassee, Flor
ida. 1881"
The chain was of heavy, solid gold, with |
charm in the shape OF shield, on one side Of |
which was engraved Hon J. J. Harris, Speaker |
of the Assembly of Florida, 1891" On the re-
verse: Presented by the members and Officers |
as Testimonial of their Esteem"