The sun., 1898-02-15
THEY TESTIFIED FRIENDSHIP.
Co. W Orkei.S Of Il. II. Gordon of Phila.
tlciphia Press Commemorate His
Years of Service.

UcupDIn tteSS commemorate hIk
Years Of Service.
In commennoration of mis- twenty-five
years OF faithful service, the cowol kers
uf Assistant City Editor Benjamin III.
Gordon, vi the Philadelphia Press,
on February I, tre.ented him
with set OF silver and cut.gIass. Editor.
in-Chef Charles Emory Smith made the
presentation speech.
lie said
1T is not often that the Chief takes "A
local assignment, but an assignment has
been given to him today, which he very
gladly accepts and undertakes to execute.
You have been twenty-five years in the
service Of The Press In the vicissi-
tudes Of iic,and in the changes especially
incident to our profession, that is
Il very long period OF service.
at argues two things. In the first
place it is very striking testimony OF
your own great constancy and fidelity.
In the second place, it is the highest
evidence that your work has been con-
spicuously satisfactory to those with
whom you have been associated, and
under whom you have been employed.
Your associates on the staff of The Press
have thought that an event which may
be almost called memorable in our Jour
nalisnl, should be commemorated and
made the occasion of an expression of
their high esteem for you. The event is
notable, but the sentiment which
prompts this demonstration gives it its
special significance. The expression
would not come even though you had
been fifty years in the service If there
were not very deep and very sincere
personal regard.
"You have the faculty of winning the
respect and confidence of your associ-
ates. You have the faculty OF inspiring
them with the deepest personal regard
and affection. am sure speak the
sentiment of every member Of The
Press staff when say that they are all
deeply attached to you personally, and ]
use the word with just sense Of its
significance and in all its full import.
may add another thing. The appreci-
alton of your work which is felt by your
associates and the estimate of your
true character and genuine worth which
they hold and which prompts this testi
monial is shared by those under whom
you are employed. Personally it is a
peculiar pleasure to participate in this
testimonial, because the sentiment
which is cherished by all of these gentle
men is fully shared by myself.
"You have the affection and the devo-
ton of your associates in very re-
markable degree. l know that feeling
as it has come to me in many forms, and
it is feeling that you may well be
proud Of, for beautiful as this gift is, the
sentiment behind it is more precious to
you than any gift could possibly be. !
beg you now, Mr.. Gordon, to accept the
silver and the glass that you see be-
fore you as a testimonial on the part
OF your associates OF their appreciation
Of your long service here and their
deeper sense of those manly attributes
and that high character which make you
beloved by all with whom you are in
contact
! In reply to Mr.. Smiths remarks and
in accepting the token Of esteem, Mr.
Gordon mace the following speech:-
MIR. Smith and Co-l.aourers: As Mr..
Smith has remarked, this is, indeed, Il
surprise to Inc.
II had an intinatlon ! Il week that
some OF htv cu-GaDoltlS on The Press
contemplated giving me the customary
dinner The lneie suggestion cmbar
rls,cd ne and asked as Il personal
favor that the anniversary I, / my twenty
five years be permitted to pass in that
quiet w:y in which the twenty-five years
lad passed. ! went out Of tie city and
was rongr;tt,Ilaing myself that had
avui,.c,i That furmaily which is, to me,
always embarrassing. but only to return
To tnd myself placed at even greater
disadvantage in expressing my appreca-
tion-nnt ol the gilt iscf, but uf the SEN
limrn that p o nptS it,
II appreciate all that has been done
i"r rr i'll the past. appreciate "TIle
Pfc>' more especially aS 'rhe Press
has in reality been my god
no1hrr. My father started with The
Press when it was established. lie
worked here Il number Of years. My
brothers also were employed here for
number Of year. But it seems, some
how or other, haven't been able to DRIFT
away aS they have. cannot leave it.
Nr ManniX and Il chorus of voices:
We don't want you to-
u feel that if accepted u position on
another paper should become home
sick, and dread the day when we get
into our new building, for know shall
he homrsick--l know shall want to get
back into our old quarrrs again.
"l'rrmtt me t., thank you for this eX-
lr ssion Of your esteem. for heartily ap-
prrciatc it, as will Mrs Gordon and my
dauyhtc's.' Applause and consratnla-
tons