Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-14

| neception anu banquet to the New Supertn-
tendent, DIR. A. G. Warner.
A LARGE NUMBER OF CITIZENS MEET HIN AND re-
cEIvE A FAVORABLE IfPREssIoN-PLEAsANI
SPEECHES MADE-DR. WARNER TELLS SOME
THING OF WHAT HE EXPECTS TO ACCOMPLISH.
The new superintendent of charities for the
District, DR.. A. G. Warner, met In @ pleasant
social way last evening a number of people
who are identified with the management of, or
interested in, charitable work here. DIR. War
ner has but recently come to the city to take an
Office that has been created, and as both the
office and the man are new it was concluded
that an oppor tunity to talk over matters by
those who are identified with the charities of
the District and to bring the parties in inter-
est face to face would be a practical form of
inaugurating the new superintendent in his
office. So reception followed by a banquet
was rendered to DR.. Warner at the Shoreham
last evening. The gathering was a notable
one In many respects; and it comprised many
leading citizens as we'll as those who are noted
for labors in building up and developing tho
charities of the District, under the direction
of the committee, and was William T. Har-
rls, chairman; b. II. Warner. W. W. Godding
John Joy Edison, A. S. Pratt. Clara Barton,
Arthur Macarthur, Mrs. A. R. Quaiffe and Mrs
Sarah A. Spencer, secretary.
THE RECEPTION.
The details Of the arrangements were such
that the occasion was without formality.
Ladies as well as gentlemen were present and
their evening Dress gave the affair more Of the
appearance OF a private social event than
public reception. The guests met Mr.. Warner
In one OF the parlors. He was assisted in
receiving by Commissioner and Mrs. Robert
Commissioner Douglass introduced the people
to Mr.. Warner, and in such cases when it was
necessary Mrs. Sara A. Spencer performed
the 1ntroductiOns to Mr.. Douglass. The picture
OF Mr.. Warner which appeared in Yesterdays
STAR, as well as the biographical sketch ac-
companying 1t, prepared the guests to see a
young man rather than an old man
with long, dignifed beard. For some unex-
planned reason it was concluded that the new
commissioner of charities must be an old man.
On the contrary, Mr.. Warner is quito O young
man, with youthful appearance. He made
good impression, and nearly every one paused
for a moment after shaking hands with him to
exchange few words. Alter some time spent
In social conversation, upon the suggestion of
Mrs. Spencer. who was the active member of
the committee Of arrangements, the company
ADJOURNED to the dining room, where the great
round table and the smaller one presented an
attractive appearance.
THE SPEECH MAKING.
Commissioner Douglass, who presided, not
only made good speech himself but drew ont
good speeches from others. The speeches were
very pleasantly prefaced by musical selec-
tlon which was rendered with fine effect by the
Philharmonic quartette composed Of young
ladies'. Miss Rolf and Prof. keenan, gave some
Rotations and then Mrs. Sara A. Spencer re-
ferred TO letters OF regret which had been re-
ceived from some who wanted to attend, but
who were prevented. Among these were the
President. Prof. Gallaudet Dr. c. b. Puryis
Col Shallenberger. Sister Sarah of the Church
Orphanage, Mrs. Russell. matron of the Jail;
Beriah Wilkins, President Gilman Of the Johns
Hopkins University. l.. s. Emery, Mr.. Chas d.
Kellogg OF New York city, Rev. Or. McKim, w.
A Croffut and Rev. Byron Sunderland.
COMMISSIONER DOUGLASS.
Commissioner Douglass made one Of his en-
tertaining little speeches. He said that he was
there to hand over the keys. as it were. to Mr..
Warner. The charities of the District had
come within the purview of his duties and he
was very glad to yield that part OF his jurisdic-
ton to the new superintendent of charities.
He had never had time to give the subject
proper attention. The appointment OF a
superintendent. he said, would place the chart
ties of the District on business footing and
lead to some system, which was needed where
there were from fifty to one hundred charita-
BILE institutions 1t was this necessity for
some direct supervision that led Congress to
establish this Office. He spoke of the great
pains the President had taken to make a
proper selection and he believed that he had
succeeded. Mr.. Douglass said he had sug-
gested to Mr.. Warner to keep his mouth shut
and his eyes and ears open for six months
and then by that time he would be familiar
with the local conditions here.
BUSINESS LEN AND CHARITIES.
The relations of business men to charities
was discussed by Mr.. B. II. Warner. He said
that III the management of charities what the
public expected was practical results. All that
is asked of the new commissioner is to do the
best he can. As there is the best municipal
government in the world in this city 50 the
system of charities ought to be the best. The
business community Is ready TO support all
efforts III the direction of efficiency. Short
and earnest addresses were made by NJ. Simon
Wolf, Mrs. Sara A. Spencer. Mr.. Charles E.
Foster and Rev. ]. G. Ames. Others were down
to respond to toasts, but owing to the lateness
Of the hour the program was shortened and the
closing speech of the evening was made by the
guest of the occasion. Mr.. Warner.
THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT.
lie spoke in practical, common sense vein
and made favorable impression. He re-
marked pleasantly that he had never before
been tie beneficiary OF pnilan.hropic enter
prise OF this kind. He had seen i'll tine course
of his life extraordinary cases of restitution
but he had never before realized the poverty
OF the Engnsn vocabulary OF thanks. he had
come here with the expectation of testing the
kitchen of the charitable institutions of the
city and he found himself at the Shoreham
He thought that the meaning of this OCCASION
as indeed of all organized effort, was that the
great needs OF the charitable work must be met
by the great resources of city. He did not
propose to outline his policy for the reason
that he had none. His object was first to get
acquainted with the surroundings. One inter-
probation of the law which established his
Office might be that Congress intended to create
a sort of charitable despot. The object of the
law he thought was rather to provide an official
whose duty it should be to interpret the chari-
table organizations, their objects and scope to
each other and to the public at large. Some
one who should become familiar with the work
that is being done, so that he can assure
the public that the charitable agencies are ac-
complishing their purpose. Great plans for
Gen. Booth i'll England, would not he thought,
could be given from q source that is authorize
tive and respected that such n scheme is prac-
teal and worthy of support. He hoped to be-
come thoroughly familiar with the charitable
work Of the District and to use his efforts to
obtain from the public proper recognition
of that work. Mr.. Warner added that he
trusted that if there were any complaints to
be made that the public would consider him as
an animated complaint book fo- the record of
their complaints.
Mr.. Warmers remarks were listened to with
close attention. and the points made were en-
forced by the applause of his audience. After
he had finished tho proceedings of the evening
were brought to q close.