Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-29
RECIPIENT OF A SERENADE
COLORED CLUBS COMPLIMENT THE
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.
Address by Mr.. mcfarland and Note
of Thanks From
MIR. Ross.

| District Commissioner II. B. F. Macfar-
| land was the recipient, at his residence,
/ 1916 street last evening. of a serenade
| rendered by the w Calvin Chase and the
| NJ. NJ. Parker colored republican clubs.
| Mr.. Macfarland's democratic associate
| Commissioner John W. Ross. was to have
| Jointly enjoyed the compliment and music,
| but was out of town. Under the manage
| ment of Mr.. William Murrell. who acted as
| marshal. the clubs. 800 strong. headed by
/ the Metropolitan Cornet Band and the
South Washington Glee Club, marched to
/ Mr. Macfarland's residence. There, after
several selections by the band and the club,
Mr. Thos. l.. Jones. who occupied. with
Messrs John w. Patterson. J. 7. Layton,
J. A. Holmes and Bernard H. Baggett,
carriage in the procession, addressed the
Commissioner.
In every age and country, said Mr..
Jones. since civilization assumed the reins
of government and started on its mission
for the redemption of the world the people
have delighted to pause in the mad rush OF
business and in the march OF progress 10
repair to sumptuous halls and magnificent
palaces to do honor to their distinguished
representatives. Therefore. the patriotic
American citizens of the nations capital.
through their representatives. the w Cal
vim Chase and NJ. NJ. Parker republican or
CARNATIONS of this District. had come to
tender the new Commissioner publlc &C
acknowledgement of their congratulations and
to demonstrate the warm appreciation ana
high esteem in which he is held by his TEL
low citizens. Coming in the name OF the
whole people and without respect to party,
creed nationality, Mr. Jones' IN the
rame of the people of the DISTRICT
extended to Mr.. mcfarland sincere con-
graduation upon his appointment and
pledged him hearty cooperation ana
support in the discharge of the important
duties which he has been called upon TO
perform.
Expresses His Thanks.
Mr.. Mcfarland expressed his thanks for
the compliment paid him and for the pleas
ant things said of him, and in explanation
of the absence of Commissioner Ross, read
the following extract from a letter he had
received from the democratic member OF
the board of Commissioners:
please say to the good people VINO Will
call upon You tomorrow night that most
gratefully appreciate their invitation 70 ne
with YOU for the purpose OF their compll-
mentary visit, but that l had stated 10 you
that | was compelled to be out of the city.
Then Mr.. Macfarland said:
Il am especially gratitied because you
have given civic rather than partisan
character to this compliment by including
in ii my honored democratic colleague'
Commissioner Ross. You and l are repupl-
devoted tUe VI 49,
ham Lincoln and Charles Sumner. proud OF
the achievements of William Mckinley,
and we hope and expect that ne VIII CON
tinue to administer our nationa! affairs LOT
four wears more after the Attn OF next
March But we believe that he serves MS
PARTY best who serves his country or ms
city best And we realize that under the
nOn-pa rtisan form of government OF the
District of Columbia we have the best OPP
Dortunity in the United States to put that
faith in practice.
Not BOssed by Rings.
eve are free from the political bosses and
rings which curse so many American cities,
and therefore we are free from dishonesty
and corruption and oppression, and we
have the best municipal government IN the
world Our public offices are business Of
fees and not political patronage, and no one
can make n livelihood by trading on MS
political principles. 1t is the duty OF every
citizen to take an interest IN civic AFFAIRS
and to do everything possible to promote
the prosperity Of the city. / am glad TO
believe that you are all performing TINS
duty and that your desire. like NINE IS 10
maintain the present purity OF our hiuiiaci
paI affairs 1t is manifestly more important
to those who represent the poor and weak
than to those who represent the r!ch ana
powerful that this state OF affairs shouid
he continued. for the rich and powerful
will got what they want under any kind OF
government, while the poor and weak al
ways suffer most from miSTule. 1nu, as
leaders of your people. realize now hmpof-
tant It is that YOU should have honest ana
impartial municipal administration. Like all
citizens, YOU want a low tax rate with the
highest character of schools and OF pro.
lection against crime, fire ana epidemics Oh
disease.
'.In the short time that I have been in office
I have been importuned frequently for po-
litical appointments and for poltlca con
trit,utons ] am glad to say that no member
l,r.E. dc. az
quest.
New Doctrine of Independence.
1T seems evident that you, as leaders of
YOUR race are following Booker I. Wash
ington. that Leader of leaders, the greatest
colored man in the world, in preaching and
practicing the new doctrine of industrial
INDEPENDENCE as the hope of your future
To learn to work to save, honestly, faith
fully and steadily, and so to command the
respect and regard of your felloW-cltlZenS
this is manifcstly the way OF progress ana
prosperity in which you are leading your
people You are teaching them that they
must support the government and not that
the government must support them. 1t Is
most fortunate that In washington, the
city set upon :, hill. where everything that
YOU do is watched by the whole country
YOU have so many men who have shown
what intelligence and Industry and lntes-
rity can do, and who are thereby encourag-
ing millions of their fel!ow-men and women
to follow In their footsteps
The Commissioners remarks were fire.
quenty interrupted by the applause OF the
assembagc, and at the conclusion OF MS
address he was given three hearty cheers.
The club then visited the local newspaper
offices, where selections were rendered by
the band and glee club. Mr.. Geo. w. Bowie
was the chief of staff. his aids being Prof.
John T Layton, ]. O. Holmes. George IL.
Dixon, Bernard Baggett. J. w. Patterson,
James L. Mack T. n. Dixon, Lieut.. Thos.
H. Clark. Nathaniel Ruffin, Keith Suther-
land DIR. C. c. Stewart Samuel G.. Thomp-
son. George w Smith, William Crawford
and +. Il. Wetburn.