Evening star., 1900-05-09
HAIL AND FAREWELL
Mr.. Macfarland Succeeds Mr.. Wight
as District Commissioner.
TRIBUTE TO OUTGOING OFFICIAL
Board Reorganizes, With the New
Official as President.
REASSIGNMENTS Erred

idiio eA-SoIIHlsSlOHeT wight, NIL q.
| Henry p. F. Macfarland having assumed
| the duties of the office shortly after II
o'clock this morning, Commissioner Ross at
| the same time taking the oath of office as
his own successor for the third time. Mr..
Macfarland, accompanied by his father-in-
law, ex-Commissioner John w. Douglass,
arrived at the District building few min
utes before II o'clock, and went at once to
the rooms occupied by his predecessor,
where he found number of beautiful floral
remembrances, including from Com
missioner Ross. few minutes later the
assessor of the District, Mr.. H. H. Dar-
nellie, invited Messrs. Wight and Macfar-
land to step into the board room. There
they found awaiting them about every Of
fcial and employe of the District who could
be present, including Mr.. Ross. Mr.. George
H. Harres, an intimate friend of the in
coming Commissioner, was also present
Commissioner Wight and Mr.. Macfarland
were escorted to a position just back of the
table, at which the Commissioners sit when
in board meeting, and DR.. VIM. c. Wood
ward, the health officer of the District
stepped forward and addressed Comnis-
sioner Wight as follows:
MIR. Commissioner: Several days ago I
was requested to represent the employees of
the District government at this our fare
we'll meeting. Because of the painful char
aCter of the task and of the absence of
any special qualifications on my part, 1
he STATED long before accepting the office.
l was much relieved, therefore, yesterday
to learn that one far better fitted for such
work than am had undertaken to perform
this duty. was not, however, surprised to
learn this morning that these, my official
as sociateS, had come to the conclusion that
1t was impossible for any one man to fit
tirgly express their deep appreciation Of the
rany kindnesses whicn you have shown to
them and of the value of your guidance and
friendship in enabling them to perform
properly the duties which have ieVolvcd
upon them. I, therefore. as their represen-
tative. begin the task. so as to make be
ginning for proper climax.
Three years ago you were suddenly
called from your previous environment and
ushered into new associations and into
new duties. Your official life began. We
We're then strangers, but during the time
which has elapsed we have fought to-
gether in the battle against ignorance, and
crime, and poverty, and disease, and mis-
fortune. Many times the conflict has been
difficult one. and there We're forces to
be opposed and overcome which only those
who have heen engaged in the strife can
appreciate You have fostered plans which
had been outlined by your predecessors,
and brought them to completion: you have
inaugurated new schemes for the benefit
of the community and carried them to
successful Examinations; and you have laid
out for the community undertakings which
now must be left to be carried on by others.
Such. however, is official life. We your
friends, wish and expect that you will be
with us in the community for many years
to come so that you may the fruition
or your labor. But wherever you may be
may good health and a kindly fortune be
with you. We who remain behind will do
better work for the inspiration drawn from
three years service with you. and will
ever be proud If we may say that we have
been numbered among your friends"
Presents a Memento
DIR. Woodwards remarks We're enthusias-
tlcally received, and then Mr. Darneille
spoke to the retiring Commissioner, say
ing:
I'VE are assembled here this morning to
bid you fond official adieu, and in some
little way give expression to our kindly
feelings. We had first intended to smother
you with flowers, but after more delib-
crate consideration we We're brought face
to face with the stern fact that flowers in
few short days. would wither and decay
and it was the consensus of opinion that
we should tender you some little gift in
stead that might be of service to you in the
future. And learning that you intended taxi
ing a trip out west, we decided to present
you with this memento of our high esteem.
and trusting that in after years it may, in
some little way, bring back a few pleasant
recollections of your friends in the District
service. And speaking for those present
l wish to say that our worst wish for you
is that you may always have health and
that no evil may ever cross your path, and
that the goddess of fortune may ever smile
upon you.
Now, on behalf of the employees of the
District Of Columbia. l tender you this
dressing case, and we hope 1t may be of
service to you, and at least last until yon
are rich enough to buy one studded with
diamonds
The dressing case is an unusually hand
some one, and contains every article found
in such affairs. the case and the articles
accompanying it being of the finest work
manship. The words of DIR. Woodward
o-A D1r all k1ov~ rx,ttt rrF4
deeply touched Mr.. Wight-so much, indeed
that it was minute two before he could
control his voice sufficiently to reply.
MIR. Wight's Response.
The words addressed to him, the presence
and the gift of SO many dear friends ap
pealed to him, he said, very deeply, and
the only sad part of the occasion was that
he to part from these friends in
official manner. He was glad to know
that his efforts in their behalf had been
kindly appreciated, for he always en-
deavored, as far lay in his power, to
contribute not only toward the advance
ment and benefit of the District and its
people, but also to its G employees; n
becomes Commissioner of the District
gets insight into human nature and
character such as he could not perhaps
obtain in any other position. The require
ments and difficulties of the position are
many and perplexing. and I wish to say as
emphatically as l can that whatever sue
cess has attended my efforts Commits
sioner has been due in a very great meas
ure to the loyalty and devotion to duty of
the officials and employees Of the District.
For their support 1 am and have been at
all times very grateful. I accept this
beautiful gift as token Of your good will,
and you may rest assured that / shall al
ways prize it very dearly. and that 1t will
be a constant reminder of friendship and
good wishes you have expressed for me.
II have received number of letters ex-
pressive of the good will Of the people I
have endeavored to serve, and yesterday 1
received from the gentlemen who represent
the local newspapers at the District build 1
ing an exceedingly kind note. That note I
appreciate much more than I can express,
and here take occasion to publicly return
my sincere thanks to these gentlemen. The
relations between us have at all times been
of the most pleasant nature. and I also
wish to say that to them I am greatly
indebted for many. very many. kind things
deeply appreciate the kindness with 4
which they have dealt with me- knowing
that they are at all times able to make or
break a public official. and that much de-
pends upon what they write and how they
write 1t. I once more thank you, my dear
friends, and now suggest that Mr.. Mac
farland. my successor, and Mr.. Ross take