The times., 1898-09-14
WORK WAS WE'LL DONE
Last Regular Meeting of the
Reception Committee.
MAI. SYLVESTER'S REPORT
A Happy Gathering of Those Who
Did So Much to Making the Wei
Splendid success-Company III
From Porto Rico to he Welcomed.

ly rendered TO the First Regiment of Dis
trict Volunteers upon the occasion of their
Homecoming reverberated through the
parlors of the Ebbitt House last evening
during the meeting of the general Citi-
zens' Committee of thirty-seven. to whom
in a great measure the entire success of
the undertaking from its inception TO its
final completion is due.
The meeting was attended by many
Of the gentlemen who as chairman
Of various subcommittee submitted writ
ten reports upon the work accomplished
by those committees, and the expense in
CURED. which in the majority of cases was
nothing at all for the reason that dona-
tions and contributions were generously
made TO the committees by the public.
Major Sylvester in calling the meeting
to order stated that he had prepared a re-
sumo OF the work thus far accomplished
and a brief outline of what remains TO be
done in the way of caring for the sick
and unemployed of the regiment, and in
rendering a reception to the engineers
of the regiment who are now en- route to
this country from Porto Rico. The ad-
dress of Major Sylvester was then read
by Frederick Alvey the secretary of
the meeting. and was as follows:
We have so far been enabled to con-
summate but part of the elaborate pro-
gram adopted for the reception and recog-
milton of District of Columbia volunteers
Having them at home, it now becomes
us TO look after their individual welfare
and 10 that end am pleased 10 note that
the committee on relief. of which Mr.
b. II. Warner is chairman, and the COM
mittee on employment, of which Mr.
Simon Wolf is chairman. are already in
the field doing all that sympathetic
hearts and willing hands can accomplish
Your executive committee, at meet
ing held Saturday afternoon last. adopt
ed the following plan of procedure for
extending financial relief to those among
the volunteers who may require such as
sistance:
shall be brought to the attention OF the chairman
or members Of this executive committee OF ot the
reiief committee Of which b. II. Warner is chair
man, shall be referred 10 the subcommittee of the
latter committee for investigation and report
The said report shall be considered by this ex-
ecutiVe committee, and such aid as is deemed
necessary shall be ordered; further assistance to
be dispensed by the member of the subcommittee
OF the relief committee assigned to the case
with the approval of the chairman thereof and
under the final supervision of the executive COM
mittee.
''The same is respectfully submitted
for your action, and when approved by
you places in successful effect the most
important feature of the scheme origi-
nally prepared by this committee
The presentation of medals to be
made from remnants of the Inflated
Maine TO the distinguished, weather
beaten heroes will consummate the work
We have in hand. 1t occrrs TO me that
after the committee on medals has sub
mitted the making of the medals a sub
committee should ascertain what date
and hour viii be agreeable TO the Presi-
dent TO make the presentations The
time required TO produce the souvenirs
will delay the event for at least three
weeks. ] am informed. The 18th of Octo-
Der, or thereabOuts, the annual parade of
the District of Columbia police force will
take place, and II might be arranged so
that the same stand employed for their
review IN front Of the Executive Mansion
could later be employed to carry out the
medal presentation, a division of eX-
penses be had, and a saving thus be
made for the relief fund.
My idea for the medal awards is the
same as proposed in the first place. The
regiment TO be drawn up on Pennsylvania
Avenue, facing the Executive Mansion,
where stand should be erected for the
President and others Beneath this stand,
the band should be stationed, to the right
and left the school girl chorus to render
appropriate music The president of the
Board of Commissioners of the District
should receive the medals from our COM
mittee, he in turn present them TO the
President. TO be awarded by the Execu-
tive TO Col Harries who should place
them in the custody of his boys through
the majors, captains and lieutenants in
succession, a medal TO be placed on
the breast of each hero before the regi-
ment disbands. The music should pre-
cede and follow the ceremony. As a
fitting conclusion, the committee on pro-
gram should arrange for one or two
short addresses from appropriate sources.
This latter feature might be conducted
in the rear of the Executive premises or
elsewhere, admittance to be had upon
invitation and by card. Should this sug-
gestion be adopted by the committee, 1
shall name the Hon. John B. Wight,
chairman, and Hon. John W. Ross and
Capt Lansing H. Beach, L. S. A. vice
chairmen of a reception committee 10 be
composed Of one hundred, which should
have the boys In charge as an escort on
the occasion.
In the meantime. we must prepare for
young men in Company H. now en- route
from Porto Rico
The address, in conclusion, conveyed
the appreciation of the chairman of the
Citizens Committee 10 each individual
worker on the general committee on ar
rangements, and complimented each up
on the laudable and effective manner in
which they had accomplished the task
assigned them. The various firms were
thanked for the interest they have taken
in the reception and they, as well as all
the contributors TO the general fund. were
given honorable mention for the substan-
tial assistance afforded through donations
made by them. The efforts of the press
and the various organizations of the city
10 aid the enterprise were especially prais-
ed The conclusion of the reading of the
address was followed by hearty applause.
The following letter, from Col. Harries.
conveying the thanks OF himself and the
officers and men who were received Ia 81
Friday was then read:
Please accept from on behalf Of the repi-
ment which ] have the honor TO command the
thanks of every member OF the First Distric; "a
Columbia Volunteer Infantry for the never-to-be-
forgotten reception afforded us last Friday That
Of our friends might greet MS upon our re.
turn home regarded as a probability hut
OF us dreamed of such a thoroughly y-organ-
lied, elaborate and delightful exhibition ~ hos.
pitality and affection. Thanks for so much al
interest must surely be cold and insufficient by
comparison. Please accept this statement as the
best ! can do under present circumstances
on motion of DR. Bayne a standing
vote of thanks was rendered Major Syl
rester for his untiring efforts in behalf OF
the committee for the success of the re-
ception and at the suggestion of Mr..
Roche, the motion was amended and
unanimously adopted as to provide for