Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-16
PLEASANT AFFAIR.
Friends of Mayor Gregory Tender Hi
a Birthday Surprise.

frenus OF mayor Gregory Tender Him
Birthday Surprise.
Mayor Eugene Gregory was last night
made the recipient of surprise that was
perhaps the most complete success of any
thing of the kind that had ever before taken
place in this city. The occasion was the
thirty fifth anniversary of his birthday.
and the affair was so quietly arranged by
the members of the Native Sons organlza-
ton and the city officials that he was kept
in perfect ignorance of what was going to
be done. These bodies had decided that il
would be fitting opportunity on which to
give expression to the respect and admir-
alton which they all entertained for Mr.,
Gregory as friend, brother" citizen and
public official. Business had called him to
San Francisco, and when be returned last
night he found his residence in possession
OF great throng of people, while his ap-
proach had the magic effect of bringing
into action full brass band, which en-
phaslzed with an appropriate air the well
come that awaited him. He was taken
thoroughly by surprise, but the situation
was soon explained, and he entered heart
lily into the spirit of the reception, which
was quite informal. There were present
delegations of gentlemen connected with
the several departments of the city govern
ment, the Police Department being espe-
cially well represented, while Native Sons
were slowed around everywhere, filling
the parlors, halls and reception-rooms.
The parlors bore evidences of a previous
invasion, as the walls were embellished
with notices expressive of sentiments of
love and esteem for the recipient of the
honors of the evening. Over a handsome
portrait # the Mayor (or, more correctly
speaking, over a finely-executed portrait of
the handsome Mayor was the greeting,
Welcome" done in evergreens, with the
letters, IN. S. G. W." On one side were
the words, SHOWERS of Blessings Fall on
Thee" and on the opposite side, Many
Happy Returns of the Day." while below
the portrait was, Blessings On Thee"
The wife, mother, sisters and brothers of
the Mayor received the guests.
After all had arrived, Mayor Gregory
YVES conducted to an inner parlor, where he
was informed that one of his friends had
something to say to him. Robert 7. Devlin
then approached, and addressing him,
said
Mayor Greg0rp-Brother Greqoru-Faoe7,e Grso-
org: When the heart is full the lips are silent.
On this occasion, when your friends have as
sem5led 10 commemorate the anniversary OF
your birth, l fear that the commission with
which have by them been intrusted will be
but imperfectly discharged To-Day they look
back with you over the years that have passed,
each one of them from the time when you
entered upon manhood's estate, gilded by some
generous act, and all of them exhibiting a
continuous display of courtesy, kindness aud
noble character. There are some things in this
world that gold cannot measure and wealth
cannot buy. An established position in the
business world. the confidence of your fellow
citizens the devotion of true aud trusted friends
rityht and how H..
life--all these are yours. You have not oh
tanned them by birth or accident but YOU have
honestly won them by your own individual
merit.
For over two years you have been the chief
executive officer of our city. Your duties have
been many and irksome; but you have seemed
IN the whole course OF your official life to have
considered duty pleasure. In the perform
snce OF the duties OF honorable and responsible
office you have exhibited that rare combination
OF qualities-genial manner, delicate tact. cool
judgment, firm decision snd energetic action.
The officers at the City Hall, the Police De-
partment, and those who have been associated
with you in the management of our mu-
nlcipal government, uniting with your
not desire that your birthday should pass
away without affording them an opportu-
nifty of showing the estimation in which YOU
are held. They have accordingly deleg ated me
70 present TO you. in their name this beautiful
diamond pin. Rich and radiant though ft Is
yet prize il more for the sentiment that prompts
the gut Let II REMIND YOU that now in the
midday of your life, your friends rejoice that
your course has been such as to tie them to YOU
by links stronger than steel. They rejoice that
yon who are, may say, in every sense Saera-
meato boy, have, at an early age, acquired
distinguished position in civic life. Allow me
now, in handing to you this dazzling Jewel to
accompany il with the heartfelt wishes OF all
your friends for your happiness, success and
prosperity.
The gifts were both beautiful and ya,ua.
BILE. That rendered by the Native Sons was
god badge typical of the insignia of that
Order. 1t consisted of gold bar about
two ana one-half inches long. bearing the
name of the recipient, Eugene Gregory, .
in black eDameled letters. Suspended
from the bar by miniature chains was
geld Maltese cross, with raised figure of
Minerva in the center. and by her side q
representation OF grizzly bear In the
breast of Minerva was set lustrous dia-
mond, while encircling the figure was
raised wreath of laurel. The extremiiies
OF the cross bore the words: Presented
BY the Native Sons of Sacramento" Above
the cross, and between the chains by which
il was suspended from the bar. was also
suspended complete golden figure OF a
bear. The badge (which was the work of
H. Wachhorst) was contained in bearti-
ful plush casket.
The other gift--the offering of The city
officials and the Police Deparimen;--was a
solitaire diamond stud, of magnificent pro-
portions.
In receiving these tokens OF his friends
esteem the Mayor was visibly affected. He
said he would make no attempt at that
time to reply to the kind and fisttering ex-
pressions attending the offer of the beaIti-
iul gifts. Ii there ever had been a time
when words failed him in which to ex-
press his thoughts and feelings, il was now
He wished 10 assure bis friends, however,
that he priced these tokens more for the
good will which prompted their giving
than because of their beauty and intrinsic
value. Ii was indeed surprise to him
so complete that be was caught wholly of
his guard, and be felt utterly unable to re-
spona to the hattcring test mcnials SIS he
would wish. As 8 public citizen, he had
tiled to 90 his duty, and as a Native
Sen he had simply followed in The ftot-