Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-07-02
PREST FARRA'S LUNCHEON
City Council Assembled for
a jolly Spread.
AN EVENING OF GOOD CHEER
Only Words of Praise for
the Host.
Editor Hersey Boldly Asserts; "There
Are Honest Democrats - President
elect Benson's Pleasant Tribute.

Editor Hersey Boldly Asserts; "There
Are Honest Democrats"- - President
elect Bensons Pleasant Tribute.
After the adjournment of City Council
on Thursday the members of that boly,
other city officials and representatives of
the press proceeded to Mullins cafe,
and were guests upwards of two hours
of John 9. Farra, the retiring president
of Council. The party was refreshed
with a delicious collation., which was
served in the parlors on the second
floor. Covers were laid for ~ persons.
Excepting Mr.. White all of the members
of Council were present. The gathering
was composed of President Farra, Presi-
dent-elect Benson, Councilmen Baugh,
McKcnney, Sharkey, Beale, Magee,
Lawson, Cotton, VANDERBILT, Curren,
Hawkins and Perkins, Clerk Messick,
Bailif Kelley, Mayor Harrington, Chief
of Police Swiggett, City Treasurer
Griffith, City Auditor Mitchell, City
Auditors Clerk Boughman, Merris
Taylor, Harrie T. Price, Solomon Her
sey, ]. H. wilkins, William r. Long,
j. P. Conway and James Deighton.
Speeches followed the delightful repast
On motion of Mr.. Cotton Mayor
Harrington was chosen toast-master.
In accepting the office the mayor spoke
briefly, but interestingly. He said Mr..
Farra was going out of Council with
record regarded by every citizen as
unimpeachable. Mr. Farra had had
long term and no man could say he ever
knew Democrat or Republican in
his decisions as president of Council.
In conclusion the speaker referred to
his pleasant relations with Mr.. Farra
and the other members of Council
during his term as mayor.
Mr.. Farra expressed thanks for the
mayors kind words and stated that his
relations with the members of Council
had been most pleasant.
Mr.. Benson said politics had pitted
Mr.. Farra and himself against each
other. Previous to the reGsnt election
their relations had been mest pleasant,
and they had never been more pleasant
than since the election. Nothing to
mar their relations had occurred during
the campaign. He thanked Mr.. Farra
for his courtesy and expressed the hope
that if he leaves the office of President
of Council two years hence he will feel
that he has performed his duties as good
and impartiaily as his predecessor.
Mr.. Baugh related "reminiscences of
his ten years in Council. He had had a
pleasant time with the retiring presi-
dent. The decisions of the latter had
been just ana impartial Mr.. Farra
would retire with many honors. In
Council the year now ending had been
pleasant. No political questions had
created ill-feeling. This Council would
retire with less criticism from the press
than any Council of which he had
knowledge. He thanked his associates
on the finance committee.
Mr.. McKenney said he had never
heard an appeal fromany of Mr.. Farra's
decisions.
Mr.. Sharkey stated that the year had
been one of much sociability and good
nature. Democrats and Republicans
both, he declared, agree that MIR. Farra
is one of the best presidents Council
ever had.
Mr.. Beale said his sojourn in Council
had not been pleasant, and he had
nothing pleasant to say. Later he
thanked Mr.. Farra for his impartiality
and courtesy, and asserted he bares no
malice or illwill towards anybody.
Mr.. Magee referred to his pleasant
councilmanic associations. He thanked
Mr.. Farra for his kindness and declared
he had made record of which any
man might be proud. Mr.. Farra's deci-
sions had been the best of his ability;
they had been regardless of politics and
every citizen should respect the retiring
president. lie hoped the new president
would retire with a record as good as
Mr.. Farra's.
| Int Of gNf Ctxttnr
the mayor said the chief had known
stated that his associations with Coun-
Gil, especially with the president, had
been most pleasant Mr.. Farra would
retire with the respect, confidence and
esteem of every citizen, earned from his
impartial decisions. The speaker was
glad the whole Council testified to Mr..
Farra's faithfulness and impartiality.
Mr.. Cotton stated that Mr.. Farra had
been gentleman and had been an angel
as near as he could be politically. He
had treated the minority fairly and
squarely. Mr.. Cotton hoped that dur
ing the next two years he would find
the president as near being an angel as
Mr.. Farra had been.
After jokingiy asserting that Mr.. Farra
was the worst man in town Mr.. Taylor
mentioned some of the retiring presi.
dents good qualities.
MI. Hersey said there are Democrats
who are as honest a. any Republican
that ever lived. Some were presen,
then and one was Mr.. Farra. Of ali
that had been said too much in the
favor of the latter had not been said
The speaker was glad the Democrats
would retire from office as honest men
The city owed them tribute for char
acter.
Messrs. Lawson, Messick, Boughman
Kelley, Vandegrift, Curren, Mitchell
Griffith, Price, wilkins, Conway and
Long also spoke of their pleasant rela
tions with Council and of Mr.. Farra's
! faithfulness and impartiality.
Mr.. Farra complimented Bailiff Kel
ley for faithfully performing his duties
After Messrs. Farra and Harrington
had been voted thanks the company
, dispersed.
ships Two Years Voyage.
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