Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-31
DECORATED WITH FLOWERS
District Commissioner Ross Office Bower
of Rare Roses.
Greeted Upon His Return by Subor-
dinates of District Governments
Address OF welcome.

District Commissioner John W. Ross re-
turned to the city early this morning, and
about 1890 made hts appearance at the
District building, from which he has been
absent since the Sd instant.
He found his room beautifully decorated
With flowers and plants, and scattered
about the room and on his desks were an
immense floral horse shoe, great basket
of orchids, roses and carnations and vases
filled with cut flowers. These decorations,
as was explained in yesterdays Star, were
greetings from the employees Of the Dis
trict government, and when the senior
Commissioner entered his room ana saw
these floral remembranees he was visibly
affected.
1t soon became known that Mr.. Ross was
in the building. and after Commissioners
Wight and Black had called upon him and
cordially welcomed him, the room was
visited by about every employe, from the
heads of the various departments down to
the messenger boys, all eager to extend a
welcome to Mr.. Ross.
MIR. Darneille's Address,
When the room had become quite crowd
ed, Disbursing Officer Darneille stepped
forward and addressed Mr.. Ross as follows:
Mr.. Commissioner Ross: We are assem-
bled here today with pride and joy, amid
flowers, to welcome you, whom we love and
respect, back to your official home. We are
more than glad to see you, and also to OBJ
serve the bloom of health upon your cheek.
We have followed you through your trials
and sickness, and always have you had our
heartiest sympathies. We have missed you
more than my poor words can express, and
we assure you that your presence in our
midst is like to us as the bright sun rays
are to the flowers in spring. Be assured
that Wherever you go, whatever your care,
our hearts will follow you. In this we not
only voice the feelings Of the officials of
the District government but the feelings
of the entire community well, and may
the saints above watch over you, and may
the life that lies before you be a pathway
strewn with flowers. With love and good
wishes, say three cheers for the Hon
John w. Ross"
The Commissioner Responds.
When the cheers called for by Mr.. Dar-
nellie had subsded, Mr.. Ross said he was
wholly taken by surprise by the demonstra-
ton, and that it had deeply touched his
heart. He fully ,reciprocated the kind
words of Mr.. Darneille, remarking that
with most of those about him he had been
associa ted for the past seven years, and he
could truthfully say Of them, as we'll as of
those who had come later, that in no de-
pdrtHent OIL the government could be found
more worthy set of men, none more con-
scientlous. and none more deserving of the
good Will of the people. Much of the sue
cess of the Commissioners had ever been
Que to this force of men. He was glad to
know that he enjoyed their esteem, for it
made his life all the sweeter To enjoy
their love and confidence was his highest
ambition, for if he deserved it his reward
was indeed great. -,
Explaining that when he left here a
nc nth ago almost he was in very bad
heafth, and that he had only recalled his
RESIGNATION at the request of the President
Mr.. Ross added that he was glad to say
that health had returned to him, and that
ne felt fully prepared-to once more take up
MS duties. He again, I'M a voice which
trembled with emotion. assured his auditors
OF the pleasure the. reception had given
him. him. and after wishing them and theirs
every happiness. CONCLUDED by saying:
NOW. want to take each one Of you by
the hand, II you ilt,aIlow me.'
For the next fifteen or twenty minutes
Mr. Ross was engaged in shaking the
11;l1 hands OF the employss ana listening to the
kind words they spoke to him During this
reception Assessor Erimble took occasion
TO say to him thatH the flowers could
speak they would say that. they represent
ed the love, the respect ana the devotion of
the employees of the District government.