Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-09
MR. EDSON'S TALL CLOCK.

The home Of Mr.. John joy Edison on 10th
street was the scene last night of a pleasant
gathering and an interesting ceremony that
closed the history Of the citizens executive
committee, OF which Mr.. E'ison Was chairman
ard which had charge Of the arrangements for
I the G. \. II. National Encampmeut held
! here I'm September. The members Of the
committee assembled there for the purpose OF
tes;ifyine TO their appreciation of Mr.. Edison 8
efficient services chairman "f the committee
| and 20 the personal esteem in which be is held
I BY his associates
| The testimonial in the form OF i'm
| ported hall clock of polished oak over eight
/ feet in height. The clock is handsome in APP
/ pearsnce and elaborate and perfect as a piece
I OF mechanism, being provided with tuneful
chimes and all the most approved accessories
/ of a modern timepiece neatly engraved sill
/ yer plate set in one of the panels OF the clock
bore suitable inscription. together with the
names Of the members OF tho committee
4 Mi Edson'- house tastcfnuy deco
rated with palms in honor Of his
/ callers. When the members of the committee
had arrived. numbering over forty in all. the
( formalities of the occasion we're soon disposed
/ OF. Mr.. Frank Hatton. editor of the Post.
/ chairman of the committee that had selected
4 the testimonial. made pleasant speech, briefly
I stating the object of the gathering and then
1 TnE EVENING STAR. who made the address of
| presentation, speaking in warmest praise of
Mr.. Edsons services at the head OF the COM
mittee. In the course of his remarks Mr.. Noyes
said:
Always in the future this testimonial will re-
mind Mr. Edison Of the sincere appreciate ton of
his associates. But this presentation has a
deeper meaning than mere Indication of our
personal esteem for Mr.. Edison, however high
and well deserved that regard undoubtedly ia.
\ IA ali
citizenship, after the modern rather than the
ancient fashion. IL is n recognition of I'M
selfish and unremunerated labor for the WEI
! fare OF the capital city. In Washington Pc
cu!iar condition considt rnble reliance for the
development and encouragement of local pub
lie spirit and unity of effort among the citizens
must be placed in such occurrences the
re- cnt encampment. inaugurations, conclaves
anu other great gatherings of people at the
capital. These events prove concusivcly that
Washington possesses the executive ability TO
handle the greatest municipal undertakings,
even the worlds fair, il the sates had been pro-
pitious enough to cast it our wav. They bring
together citizens working shoulder To shoulder,
organizing and harmonizing in order to render
their labors effective, and their common object
is the public good. Thus they invigorate local
pride and local spirit. making the citizens know
one another better and appreciate one another
more highly, causing them to fee! tho substan-
tia unity of interests between all sections and
all individuals Of the city and rendering every
one more willing to lay aside personal differ
ences and 20 cooperate heartily for the general
welfare.
TEE BENEFITS TO THE CITY.
The greatest benefit to the city from the
encampment was not in the dollars and cents
left by the visitors. but in the enlargement of
the knowledge Of the people of the United
States concerning their capital in the notable
Z increase OF their admiration and reOard fpr IL
especially in the west, and in the impetus to or
gained. harmonious and well-directed efforts
for the local welfare that is given by observa-
ton of the admirable results Of organization
| for action in definite direction achieved by
| the men of this committee and those associated
with them in the encampment work. The
campaign Of a city governed. by q whole nation
against rural ignorance concerning it, against
sectional prejudice and congressional indiffer-
encc in respect to it. must necessarily be q
tlnuous ore. This encampment is only single
battle, although a great victory, in a more than
seventy years war. The organized public
| spirit which has done SO much for the local
| good by rendering this encampment . magnif-
cent success must not be permitted to die out
rs though its task bad been fully performed
Should the representative men on this commit
tee combine TO work systematically and harmo-
niously toward the common end of Washing-
ton advancement, if only at first by cultivating
pleasant relations with our legislators and max
INK tuSul tHOEOuBnly IAIullAr VIII tue local
needs. grievances, resources and attractions,
they would accomplish wonders for the city's
welfare, greater, perhaps, than anybody
dreAms."
Mr.. IDsoS's RESPONSE.
When Mr.. Moves concluded the national flag
that concealed the clock beneath its folds was
removed and Mr.. Edison, stepping forward.
made a response to the address Of presentation.
expressing his appreciation of the testimonial
| As the highest compliment ever paid him. He
spoke of the ability, fidelity and earnestness
displayed by all his associates on the commit
tee, to whom. he said, the credit for the success
attained belonged. Whatever individual sac
rifces have made or labors performed" said
Mr.. Edison, Il feel that l have been more than
| fully compensated on this occasion well as
in other ways. I have been during all my resi-
dence in Washington closely confined to one
steady pursuit. The past year. by your calling
me to this position, presented new and inter-
esting field for work, which taxed me to the
utmost in a different direction. but l made a
new and different class of acquaintahces in the
city and throughout the country, all Of which
tended to broaden and enlarge my life, and this
i value very highly.
President Harrison. In his annual message
just sent to Congress, was very thoughtful and
just in stating that the people Of the District Of
Columbia had. in a rich and gracious manner,
entertained the veterans Of the war. This is a
high testimony to the nation which our people
may well feel proud of and appreciate. The
President, from the time when he SO forcibly
recommended to Congress. by special COM
munica,ion. an appropriation from the joint
revenues Of the District and the government,
until the close of the encsmpment, took
deep interest in and cheerfully rendered
all the aid in his power to the peo-
pie Of Washington. This was our ex-
perience likewise, generally, with government
officials. To the Vice President we are deeply
| Indebted for the prompt and pleasant manner
in which he fulfilled that part of the program
that had been assigned to the President of the
United States. He placed himself in the hands
Of this committee and performed every duty
and courtesy requested of him. Our personal
intercourse with him in every way of so
agreeable character that we will always re-
member il as one of the extremely pleasant in
cidents of the encampment."
After the speechnaking by which the clock
was formally transferred to the possession of
Mr.. Edison Corporal Tanner made little
| speech. in which he suggested that fitting
| testimonial be sent to Robert T.. Lee Camp of
I Confederate Veterans Of Richmond for The hos
1 pitable and generous reception accorded by its
/ members TO the Union veterans who had visited
/ Richmond during encampment week.
On motion Of Gen. Duncan 5. Walker a COM
| mittee Of ten. of which Mr.. Edison will be
chairman. ordered to be appointed to pro-
| cure the testimonial and carry it TO Richmond
The company remained as Mr.. Edson's
guests at supper and enjoyed a most delightful
| evening.