Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-08
MaroR's ANNu4n BRB4KF4sr.
a Delightful New Years Gathering--C Com
pliments Paid the Force--Presentation
tr.t

to the Mayor.
Good fellowship and the brightest, hap
piest fraternization characterized the third
Of Mayor Harrington's annual breakfasts
to the police department which took place
New Years morning at Farra,s res
taurant. All of the city departments were
represented. The gathering entirely filled
the large dining apartment.
In addition to all the members of the
police force that could be spared from duty
ON Thursday the mayors guests included
Judge Ball, President of Council John G.
Farra, Drs. h. q. Shortlidge and G. H.
Wallace; Councilmen Daniel McKenney
and S. C. Vandegrift; S. IL. Baynard of the
Board of Education, representatives ofthe
city press; Special Agent Frank stout of
the s. =. @. c.; @. T. X. Bates and Charles
Wolcott represented Harvard University;
John and Harrington Littell, Trinity Col
lege, and Daniel Bates, the Penn Charter
School.
The breakfast room was patriotically
and seasonably adorned with the national
bunting and Christmas holly and ivy.
Roast turkey and other yiands took the
place of the routine beefsteak and coffee
and cigars made an excellent finale to a
most substantial deieuner.
Mayor Harrington presided and on either
side of him were Judge Ball and President
of Council John G. Farra. After about
three-quarters ofan hour feasting his honor
raped for attention and in few brief re
marks expressed his sincere pleasure at
meeting the members of the force again
for the third time. He expressed regret for
personal reasons at the, near approach Of
the time when when he, he would have to
added 81 have lost none" Mr.. Harring.
ton closed with saying that he intended
surrendering all responsibilities of the
pleasant meeting to his friend, Judge
Ball. The mayors remarks and the
city court judges appearance upon his
feet was. the. signal for the heartiest
rounds Of applause. The judge thought it
was an excellent idea to commence the
new year with good breakfast. He re
feTred complimentary to his pleasant per
sonal relations with the mayor and the
police department. Adverting to the
chief of police his sentiments towards that
official were those of the highest respect
and the kindliest feeling. He fully appre-
ciated the thorough service that Mr.. Swig-
gett had given to the citizens.
Before Judge Ball took his seat again the
mayor arose and introduced the city judge
as toastmaster of the occasion.
Chief Swiggett was the next speaker. He
said this is the third and will probably be
the last occasion when they would meet
together under official relations. The
speaker and his force held the mayor in
the highest esteem. The police have been
supported by him without fail in all that
is right and Just Following other eompli-
mentary remarks, the chief stepped for
ward and presented the mayor with
beautiful gold watch.
This, Mr.. Mayor" the chief said, sis a
slight token of the esteem. respect and af-
fection with which you are held by each
and every member Of your force"
The mayor was taken entirely by sur
prise and something resembling tears were
discernibe in his eyes. An ovation of APP
plause kept him silent on his feet for few
seconds. With difficulty he expressed
himself saying that this was the happiest
moment of his official life.
The toastmaster, Judge Ball, then intro
duced President of Council John C. Farra
as one whose vote is always ready for any
thing that is good for the police. Mr.,
Farra paid complimentary reference to
the progress in police management. lie
was glad to see that the officers used
proper discretion i'll the handling of pris-
oners
The toastmaster next desired to intro
duced another gentleman of City Council,
who is chairman of a certain committee.
He suggested that the members of the
force keep on the right side of him. "The
ways of Council are hard to find out" the
judge continued and then put in plea for
certain changes that the building COM
lultltG llllBHt duNdHltEtOusly COIslueF Ill
regard to the court room and elsewhere.
Councilman McKenney was the subject
of the Judges remarks. That gentleman
said he was always ready to entertain the
requests of the officials when such matters
affected his committee. He wished the
force happy New Year, and thanked the
mayor for the good breakfast he had par
taken of. Councilman Vandegrift followed
in a similar vein.
Judge Balls introduction of DR.. Short
lidge as "Sawbones' seemed to fit the
occasion exactly. The doctor rose to his
feet but had TO face the audience silently
until the applause which greeted him had
subsidized little. DIR. Shortlidge quoted a
somewhat apocryphal text from Holy
Writ and coupling his remarks with COM
plimentary illusions to the force called on
all to drink a standing toast to everyone's
friend the chairman, Mayor Harrington.
Judge Ball then introduced Solomon
HerSey as a gentleman who is suspected of
departing from politics to well-earned rest
and pleasant emolument, Mr.. Hersey
made a lengthy and extremely coinpli-
mentary speech, praising the force as the
best Wilmington has seen. DIR, Wallace
and j. Travers Jones followed in brief adj
dresses, when Judge Ball read letter from
Watson r. Srerry, expressing his regret at
being unable to represent Otherspeakers
followed, including George Roberts. Col
Oll6l COuy AIlGtlScTj NIhTleS springer,
Harrie T. Price. @. T. r. Bates made
some witty remarks in reply TO Harvard,
and was followed by John Littell for
Trinity, Charles Wolcott, another Harvard
man, Daniel Bates was introduced as the
mayors pet" He acquitted himself
well for Penn's school and wittily charged
his elder brother with stealing his thunder
The police officers were next called upon.
Sergeants Blackburn, Stetser, Peterson,
Stewart and Evans made excellent and in
teresting speeches, Harrington Littell and
Manager Jermon followed and then City
Clerk Hyland was introduced. He smoke
from half centnry's "reminiscences and
paid warm tribute to Chief SwIggett's
police administration. Samuel H. Baynard
made an eloquent address and was fol-
lowed by Special Agent Frank Stout.
Judge Ball then referred to the fact that
not a single man of the force had been
lost through death attributable to any
cause and no prisoners had suffered in n
fatal way. He congratulated the force for
their humane treatment of the prisoners,
Mayor Harrington brought the happy
occasion to close in expressing again his
kindly and grateful feelings to the mem
bers of the force.
THE Blaine house SC0RCHED.
The Secretary's House But Not His Home
--Most Damage From Water.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Some excitement
was caused just before noon to-day by the
rumor that Secretary Blaines house was
on fire. 1t appeared, however, that the
fire had occurred in the handsome resi-
dence on du Pont Circle, owned by Secre-
tary Blaine, but leased and occupied by L.
q. Letter of Chicago.
The fire is supposed to have originated
in defective fiue ut the top of the house.
1t soon extended to the woodwork beneath