Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-02
PLEASANT CONCENTRATIONS

| PLEASANT PRESENTATIONS
took place, the recipients being Speaker
Fletcher, Chief Clerk Howard, Assistant
Clerk Deakin and Postmaster Wade.
The first to be surprised was
Speaker Fletcher, Capt. Collins making
the presentation and spe king sub
stantially as follows:
BLr. Speaker: The Twenty-third session of the
Minnesota legislature is about drawing to a
close. Tomorrow the members generally viii
return to their homes, many possibly never to
return to this hall. In view of this l have been
commissioned by the members to present you a
slight testimonial of their regard Tor
| yourself. 1t is little suggestive
that we are growing old-a cane upon which
| you can lean in your journeying down Efe's
! pathway. Nay 1t be your good fortune to hear ii
to still higher place than that you have long
and faithfully occupied as member of the Mn
nesota legislature. Please accept the heartfelt
wishes of the members of this body for your
future success.
Mr. Fletcher in response said:
Gentlemen. of the House, desire to return my
sincere thanks for this mark of your esteem as
testified by the presentation of this beautiful
staff. 1t is intended suppose, merely as an
ornament, as you can hardly suppose l will need
1t for a support for the next forty years. most
heartily appreciate the kindly feelings that
have prompted this testimonial and
l can say that for the ten years 1
have been a member of this body, l have never
seen in any one session many genial gentle
men, nor in the three sessions it has been my
good fortune to be called upon to fill the speak
ers chair have l presided over body more
earnestly DESTROYS of doing their whole duty
than TINS. l can also truthfully say that it
has been my earnest endeavor to do
| my duty impartially, and if errors have been
made they have been of the head and not of the
heart, and now about to separate and
| return to our respective homes, sincerely hope
that all Of you will bear with you nothing but
| the kindliest recollectlons Of your presiding
officer and of the session, and that such may be
the verdict Of the people you have so honestly
| served as to result in your return another
session. For myself do not now
expect shall ever be a member OF this body
again, and that when 1 lay down the gavel at II
noon tomorrow, after the declaration of the
| sine die adjournment of the session, my connec-
| ton with the arduous duties of legislator will
| be at an end. But the memories of the many
| pleasant friendships l have formed will remain
| with me as long as life shall last, and wherever
l may be, or In whatever position
may be placed l shall always be glad to see and
| greet you and whenever look upon this beauti-
full token it Will be with feeling of grateful re-
membrsnce of this occasion, and of the session
of the Minnesota Legislature so pleasantly passed
together. And finally accept my most hearty
thanks and best wishes for each and all of you
The cane is massive ebony stick with
heavy gold head with the inscription:
| presented 10 Hon. Loren Fletcher, Speak
er, Minnesota Legislature, 1888"
At the conclusion of the speakers re-
marks there was most vociferous clap
ping of hands, which had not fairly
ceased, when Hon. G. G. Hartley, of Brai-
nerd stepping to the desk of Chief
| Clerk Howard and addressing
that gentleman said:
MIR. Howard, please accept this beautiful
watch and chain a token of the respect felt
| for you by the speaker, members and assistant
clerks for the faithful and very efficient manner
| you have performed the duties of your very try
ing and laborious Office during the session now
so near its close May you live long and pros
| per.
MIR. Howard responded as follows:
MIR. Speaker and Gentlemen: There are mo-
ments when language is inadequate to express
the feelings OF the heart. Such an occasion is
, the present, and had the eloqnence of a De-
mosthenes, could not fitly say in words what
my heart prompts. Coming among YOU almost
stranger aud selected byyour kindness to serve
you III tins important position, am not IN
mindful mat Whatever success has attended nv
efforts Is due largely TO your forbearance and
that OF the speaker and TO the kindly and watch
| FIJI aid of my assistants. can only add that 1