The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-28
Mr. ERICKSON !, HONORED.
Friends Pres ent Him With
a Magnificent Fire
Badge.

The many friends of John A. Erickson,
president of the Fire Board, agreeably
surprised him last evening, at the con-
clusion of the meeting of the board. Af-
ter the adjournment the good-natured
president accepted an invitation to the
Washington Hotel There he was surpris-
ed to find a number of his old friends
seated at long table, ready to give him
an ovation when he entered, and they
certainly did it to perfection. AT the
head of the table sat Commissioner
Hauck, who presided, and after Commis-
sioner Erickson had been seated Counsel
lor w. J. Kelly arose and said
Gentlemen, we have come here tonight
to do honor to a man who is well known
to US all through his merits, and that
man is the President Of the Fire Board.
This is the best opportunity 1 have
had to express my thoughts of Mr..
Erickson's loyalty to his friends, fidelity
to his party and eonservativness which
enables him at all times to do his entire
duty. He is credit to the man who APP
pointed him, and notable exception to
the men who seek office in these days.
Mr.. Erickson as president of the Fire
Board is man to be relied upon at all
times to do his utmost for the city and
his friends. His belief is that an office
holder is merely trustee. He is a man
Of impeachable character of tried fit
ness and has a high conception of the
trust imposed in him. All these are traits
of John Erickson. His life and career
teach us a lesson of the moral grandeur
of 6isintereste tedness of purpose.
I'm presenting to him this token con-
>
of the happiest and most pleasant duties
that has ever devolved upon me-"
Mr.. Kelly then handed solid gold
badge, studded with large diamond to
Mr. Erickson The inscription on the
badge is:-
ITO Commissioner John Erickson from
his many friends"
President Erickson, after a few mo-
ments hesitation, said:-"S Surprises never
disturb me: had not the least idea of
this presentation. / appear to be much
better man than am. I certainly feel
grateful towards you, as neighbors par
ticularly and citizens in general. ! see
in this gathering here Republicans and
Democrats-men who 1 appreciate in life.
1t is a pleasure on occasions like this to
be associated with friends, with no po-
litical significance. / also see Commits
sioner Hauck, one of my earliest friends
when I came to Jersey City. I see men
for whom there is nothing I would give
them that was in my power
The president concluded his speech by
saying:-"I hope I will last in your esti-
nation as long as the gold in this badge
will, and that my actions will reflect
brighter than the diamond nj it glistens.,
Addresses were also made by Commis-
sioner Hennessey, Chief John F. Conway,
Assistant Chief Lowell, Assemblyman
James J. Murphy, Charles Smith, Frank
w. Angel, Deputy City Collector Thomas
higgins, City Clerk Michael j. O'Donnell
and Tax Commissioned James Clark. Sup
per was then served.
Among those present were:-Commis-
sioner Hauck, Joseph Schellenberger,
Commissioner James Hennessey. Chief
Conway, Clerk of Fire Board Charles
Esterbrook, Commissioner James S.
Nolan, Tax Commissioner James G.
man A. M. Henry, T. M. ]. Lennon, City
Clerk NJ. j. O'Donnell, Deputy City Col
lector Thomas higgins, E. J. Edwards.
Captain P. DAILY, Alderman James Price,
Lawyer Ainsworth. Joseph Schellen-
Meade OTTO Wittpenn. John Wall John
J. Kelly, Assemblyman James ]. Murphy,
John Boyd julius Wittpenn Freeholder
Mark Fallon, D. J. Mahon, Peter Coffey,
p. F. Doyle, James M. Collins, Henry
Hauck, J. c. Lowy and Frank w. Angel.