The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-26
Ex- MAYOR TESTERS GIFT.
The Police Present Him With Silver
Tea Service

| Tea Service.
While the rain beat down outside, twenty
uniformed members of the police force
stood around ex-Mayor Testers dinner
table last night chatting merrily TO their
former superior. 1t was the occasion of a
presentation to the ex-mayor of beautiful
silver tea service, a gift from the police
! force, The service bore the inscription
ITO Hon. Rufus E. Lester, from the police
force of the city of Savannah, January,
1882
The set, besides the waiter, consists of
two tea pots, sugar bowl, cream pitcher
and finger bowl. The gift was a complete
surprise to the ex-mayor, and when the
police detail, accompanied by p. j. OCon-
nor, Esq, Sergt. Killourhy. and Detective
| ST Base Knocked for admittance at his door,
| he cautiously opened it, not knowing what
was wanted. Sergt. Killourhy carried in
the service and placed it on the table in
front of Mr.. OConnor, who made the pre-
sentation.
The gift was from the members of the
police force, he said, who desired 10 express
| their high regard for Mr. Lester and for
| the service he rendered the city as its chief
magistrate during his term of office. He
always stood by the police force in the per-
formance of their arduous duties and be
protected the men from unjust criticism
and with the department, Mr.. O'Connor
said, were at all times agreeable. Through
the wise and judicious policy which Mr..
| Lester pursued the best interests of the
city were subserved. 1t could be
truly said that he did his duty fearlessly.
Mr.. OConnor said that while the city is
now deprived of the ex-mayor's services it
has been fortunate in securing those of a
worthy successor 1t was gratifying t.
know, he said, that Mr.. Lester will repre-
sent Savannah in the national congress.
Georgia" he added, "has been esteemed
and respected for her talented repre- senta-
tives, and in you she will have champion
of whom she may be justly proud. The
gift which present to you is not only orna-
mental, but useful, and in consequence of
the approaching time when your residence
will be in Washington, it will be specially
useful, since cold teas are congressional
| beverages"
The handsome service was then uncov-
cred and presented. Mr.. Lester, who had
stood with his hands behind him, listening
to what was said, and wondering what was
to come next replied in a feeling speech
| 1t was the first time since his connection
with the force" he said, that he had be a
under arrest II need not say" no added,
THAT / am surprised at what you have
done tonight l am glad to know that your
| mission is of no more hostile nature than
you have given me to understand. 0u
come with expressions of good will to me,
and at that | do not know that | am sur
prised. Between myself and the members
of the police force, during the time that l
was connected with it, l know of nothing
that gave me any cause not to esteem a id
highly regard and appreciate not only the
officers of the force as a body, but the
members of it as Individuals
NY connection with the police force was IN
dead pleasant one. had no difficulty to
contend with. The men performed their
duty faithfully, efficiently, aud looked
upon me, so far as | know, with a regard
and with an idea that was not only COM
mander of the force, but that | was a
friend Of the members. Their individual
conduct was such as TO endear me to them
and them to me, and it shall be one
of the pleasantest recollections that | shall
carry with me from the office of mayor
the association of myself with this body Of
men who did their duty. shall keep your
gift, gentlemen, valuable in itself, but
shall preserve il and it shall be one Of the
best testimonials that have ever received
during my lifetime. If all the people were
as well bound to duty as the police, and C. is
charged it as well, Savannah although not
prosperous and loved by all her citizsns,
might still be better model for imitation
by larger citiesn
The officers joined in lusty cheers. Mr..
Lester entertained his visitors handsomely
Sergeant Killourhy, in short talk highly
eulogistic of tie ex-mayor, said that Mr..
Lester had never, on any occasion, OPP
pressed any officer or private, and that
while it had been in his power to cast errinr
men aside, he always endeavored 10 inspire
the with confidence and assist them in
regaining their footing
Mr.. Lester is the SEQ md mayor ever pre-
sented with gift by the Savannah polio e
Mayor Screven was presented with to ker
Of regard by the officers in 1872.