The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-02
Mr. S|MMONS'S EXIT
The Late Collector Formally
Gives Up His Office.
TESTIMONIAL OF ESTEEM
HIS SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
MAKE 4 HANDSOME PRE-
SENTATION.
A FINE LOT OF OFFICE FURNITURE
Presentation Made by Capt. S. A. Ashe and
Replied to by Mr.. Simmons Period Of
Good viii and Harmoney Between
Chief and Subordinst,s.

day ais Collector of Internal Revenue fol
this district.
During his term of office the relations
between him and all connected with the
service have been of the most pleasant
character, and last night the members
of the service gave a manifestation of
their esteem Ivy presenting him with
several handsome pieces of office furni-
ture.
The presentation was made in one of
the rooms of the revenue department,
and there were present a large number
of deputy collectors and Others. Capt.
s. A. Ashe, the retiring cashier, made
the presentation. He said:
Mr.. SiilnmOns: 1t is not all of life
to labor fer ones daily bread. There is
something more than that in the human
BREAST that takes cogniZance of the eff
forts and expressions among friends
the manifestation of friendship-thesc
appeal to our highest nature. They
strike a chord that fits us more thor
oughly for duty and the daily affairs of
life. We manifest our pleasure, and we
long to crafty it.
''Hhose friends who have been asso-
ciated with you desire to manifest how
thNy udhC w NV anu
You.
I'VE have been in a work that on our
part has been done conscientiously; while
conforming to the spirit of the law. 1T
he's not been done exactsngly, with
tyranny and perversion of the law
We believe that your administration
in the office YOU fave graced may be
looked upon with pIide-'a successful and
honorable career as collector of internal
revenue.
We feel a sense of loyalty to you-to
the business in which we have been EN-.
gagged, and we feel that it has reached
the highest efficiency condition that it
has ever known.
''As spokesman, | present this token
of esteem, an ever present token that
will recall the pleasant associations
while associated with us in your official
capacity as collector. / beg of you,
therefore, to accept some office furniture,
an emblem of friendship from those
who have been associated with you in
the very prime of life. A desk and
chair for your office, and a chair and
a couch for you to take your siesta.
You close a career with good wishes.
and we will cast our eyes constantly
toward you and hope that mo cloud will
ever come over your sky. but that the
sun of prosperity will ever shine brightly
upon you. May happiness and prosperi-
~ crown Your Gays, and life hereafter
lis the wish of your friends"
Mr.. Simmons was visibly affected by
this token of esteem on the part of
those with whom he had so long been
associated Replying to the words of
Capt. Ashe, he said:
''Gentlemen-My Friends: / am ex-
ceelingly gratifed to You for the very
courteous and KIND manner i'm which
you have expressed yourself and associ-
;rtes who have assisted me in the dis
charge of the duties of the office of
Collector. 1t is hardly necessary for me
to say that / entertain and reciprocate
to the fullest extent the regard, respect
and affection expressed toward me.
II am. Captain ASne. deeply moved by
the very courteous compliments ana
kind manner in which you have express
cd yourself.
1.-The present | accept not because il
is handsome and beautiful, as these are
handsome and beautiful, but as the ex-
preston and manifestation of regard, re-
Sleect and esteem Tor you, gentlemen.
/ value them that way Il thousand times.
! accept them as an emblem, a symbol,
a token of your and their good will to
me- | shall ever treasure them as n
sacred treasure because they express to
me friendship. They shall speak to me
of pleasant associations, of warm at
tachmenfs and friendship-speak to me
of never TO be forgotten intercourse with
gentlemen. In after life j will look to
them and would not part with them.
when you gentlemen came to accept
positions there already existed the bond
of friendship and that has been strength.
ened into lasting and ever enduring af-
lection.
Our administration has been eminent
~ successful Several hundreds of
thousands of collars have been added
annually to its receipts and during the
term over $4,000,000 have been col
lected. The balance sheet has been
struck and every cent has been account
ed for, and passed into the hands of the
government. ] am justly proud of the
record. 1t would be unjust, however,
If did not give credit to my co-laborers,
who have labored so faithfully with me.
10 their labors is largely attributed the
success which the office and my admin
lstratson has achieved. No personal jar
has ever occurred between any of the
office force and myseh-aH has been har-
mony, mutual help and good will
1t would also be highly unjust il /
did not give credit to one who is not
present here to-night-one upon whom
all have leaned as IL Staff-a prop-a
support. His counsel and advice were
always received and relied upon. His
eminent qualifications for exalted posi-
tions. his faithfulness, his loyalty. have
called him away to broader fields, and il
is the wish of all that his efforts will bs
crowned with unbounded success which
he is justly entitled to.
I'm conclusion | will say that while
and succeeded by "a gentleman of differ
emit political views. | am succeeded by my
personal friend. You have us your head
Il gentleman. fair, honest and in eyerS
respect-that sometimes abused word
gentleman.
II think | can say you have not