Evening star., 1900-05-07
Board Of Trade Has Many Distin-
guished Guests.
PLEASING EVENT At MARSHALL HALL
Special Honors to Commissioners
Wight and His Successor.
AN ADDRESS BY EACH

shadbake, last Saturday afternoon. Over
300 strong, the friends of the capital city
gathered on the bank of the Potomac at
Marshall Hall. Citizens of the District had
an opportunity to extend their acquaintance
among their lawmakers. One-fourth of
Congress Joined in the festivities-in fact,
measures of local interest which were act
ed on in the House of Representatives the
same afternoon received less votes than
could have been recorded by the members
of the House who attended the excursion
and shadbake.
President Edison had announced an inno-
walton in the plan to be followed by the
board of trade in the entertainment of its
congressional and other guests They were
to be given an opportunity to enjoy the
ride on the historic Potomac, strolls and
games at the Hall and the feast of savory
shad without being called on to respond to
toasts. The time had long since past when
1t was necessary to ask the loyal legislators
or the District to pledge allegiance to the
capital of the nation. They We're to be en-
tertained and not called on to entertain
There was to be but one speech and that
was to be by the lately appointed Com
missioner, Mr.. Henry B. F. Macfarland
But the company. when assembled about
the banquet board in the airy pavilion from
which one may look out upon the waters of
the Potomac, decreed otherwise. The de-
mana was that the outgoing Commissioner
Mr.. John B. Wight, for whose labors for the
District those present showed the most en-
thusiastic appreciation, should arise to re-
ceive an ovation; and 1t was no half heart
ed ovation
The approval Of Mr. Wight in no way
lessened the hearty reception that was
gwen the incoming Commissioner. Mr..
Macfarland could have received no more
positive nj no
posed in him than was accorded him from
the hundreds of members of the board of
trade and their guests. Another feature of
the entertainment which was not on the
program was witty speech by the min
lister of China, Mr.. WI Ting-fang. The
popularity of the diplomatic representative
he could not resist the calls for a speech,
which he delivered with rare tact and in
excellent English.
The Apollo Quartet contributed to the
pleasure of the occasion by rendering sew
eral popular airs.
There Were No Laggards.
1t was not a difficult task to summon
every one to the dining hall as soon as the
doors were opened. Every one was ready
But the hall was not large enough, and ad-
ditonal tables were placed on the green
lawn without. Within the pavilion four
long rows of tables We're provided, with
over 800 covers. Seated at the head of the
banquet boards was Mr.. John Joy Edison
president of the board of trade with Min
lister Wu on his right and Mr.. Crosby S.
Noyes on his left. Senators Hoar, CALM
ger, Burrows and Hawley were near by.
The numerous distinguished guests were in
all parts of the dining hall.
At the conclusion of the dinner the Apol-
10 Quartet, consisting of MesSrs. F. P. Rec
side, NJ. D. Mcfarland, II. c. Pearson and
B. A. Ryan, with Mr.. Harvey Murray, ac-
companiSt. sang popular airs. OF course
every one declared he had never tasted
anything equal to- the planked shad, and
the words were sincere.
When the coffee and cigars had been
passed, and when a touch of twilight was
evident in the hall, there was a demand for
the retiring District Commissioner. Wight
Wight, Wight'-then came applause in
which the name could not be heard.
The subject of these calls kept his seat
until it was evident the company was de-
termined that he should respond. Mr.. Ed
son presented the retiring Commissioner
with complimentary references to his loyal
labor for the District
Every one knows of the manner IN which
Mr.. Wight has discharged his duties as
Commissioner of the District Of Columbia"
said Mr.. Edison, "and every one regrets that
he is not to continue in that office for ALI
other term. {Applause) Those who have
watched his work as l have know that in
every department under him great strides
of advancement have been 1.lade. His pains
taking work has accomplished these results.
We want to express to him our gratitude
for what he has done and TO welcome him
back to business life
There was tremendous applause as Mr..
Wight was presented
Mr.. Wight Expresses His Thanks.
There is nothing like the board of trade
for friendship" said Mr.. Wight, as he
bowed an acknowledgment for the rousing
ovation accorded him. He thanked all for
their very kindly expressions and said he
was grateful to know that in his last few
days in office he had the appreciation of his
friends.
Il have tried to do my duty as 1 promised
1 would three years ago on an occasion sim
liar to this he said. u have tried to do
what Is best for the District of Columbia,
regardless of personal considerations for
any one, including myself
Mr.. Wight then told a short story Of an
old colored servant who had left her former
master after he had been impoverished by
the war to serve a wealthy newcomer into
the neighborhood, and when asked why she
had done so replied:
"Massa, Tze tired sarvin' de was-be's and
Ize gwyin' to lib wild de is-bes.'
So the retiring Commissioner gave way
for the incoming Commissioner.
A toast for the retiring Official was pro-
posed and drunk standing.
Mr.. Edison, in presenting Mr.. Macfarland,
said that the President, in looking over the
field for a successor to Mr.. Wight, had
made a very happy choice in the judgment
of the people of Washington.
today know his worth as citizen in our
community he said. He is one of those
men who takes time outside of his profess
sion, in which he has attained high rank,
to do work of public good and to help leave
the world better than he found it."
Mr.. Edison then told an incident which
showed Mr.. Macfarland's character as
newspaper man. He had heard a discussion
when in Boston about the accuracy of
some statement, and when it was learned
that the statement had been made in
Boston paper over Mr.. Macfarlands sig
nature 1t was accepted at once as true
That, he said. was index to his char
acter. He was sure his career as a Journal
ist would be equaled in his career as a
Commissioner.
In order that he might see his audience
Mr.. Mcfarland mounted a chair and he
was given round after round of applause.
The New Commissioner.
when the committee on notification of
the nominees for President and Vice Pres
ident went to President Harrison the chair
man said to him they had come ON behalf
Of the republican national convention to
say to him that while many men eminent