The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-29
TRIBUTE TO MCFARLAND.
CcIorcd Citizens of the District Scrc
nnde the Comm iSxiOncr.


The w. Calvin Chase Escort Club and
the NJ. NJ. Parker Republican Club of this
city serenaded Commissioner Henry B. +.
Mcfarland last night. and afterward paid
visits to the newspaper Offices. Col. William
MurTell acted as marshal and the line was
headed by the Amber Band Of forty pieces.
The Osceola Glee Club. of South Washing
ton, was present marching in the line.
Colonel Murrell's chief of staff was
George w. Bowie. who was assisted as
follows: Prof John T. Layton. ]. o.
Holmes George H. Dixon. Bernard Bag
gett, j. w. Patterson, James L. Mack. I.
\. Dixon. Lieut.. Thomas H. Clark. Ma
thaniel Rufin, Keith Sutherland DR.. c.
C. Stewart, Samuel G. Thompson. George
Wetburn.
The club assembled at the Office of the
Bee" 1109 / Street northwest. and pro-
ceeded first to the residence Of Commits
sioner Mcfarland Then, after selection
by the band and three lusty cheers for the
new Commissioner. Thomas L. Jones adj
| dressed Mr. Mcfarland as follows:
Mr.. Commissioner. in every age and
country 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.
Tonight patriotic American citizens of
the Nations Capital. through their repre-
sentatives. the W. Calvin Chase and NJ. NJ.
Parker Republican organizations of this
District, come to tender you this public
acknowledgment of their congratulations
and to demonstrate the warm appreciation
and high esteem in which you are held by
your fellcw-citizens. We come in the
name Of the whole people and without re-
spect to party, creed. or nationality to con-
graduate you.
In the name of the people of the Dis
,trict l extend to you. Mr.. Mcfarland,
their sincere congratulation upon your ap-
pointment to this high office and pledge
you their hearty cooperation and support
in the discharge of the important duties
which you are called upon to perform.
Mr.. mcfarland, after expressing his ac-
acknowledgements of the courtesy, said:
Il am especially gratified because lou
have given civic. rather than a partisan
character to this compliment, by including
in it my honored Democratic colleague,
Commissioner Ross, whose enforced alb
sence we regret. You and / are Republic
cans, devoted to the principles of Abraham
Lincoln and Charles Sumner, proud Of the
achievements of William Mckinley, am
we hope and expect that he will cOntinu g
to administer our national affairs for four
years more after the 4th of next March
But We believe that he serves his party
best who serves his country or his city
best. And We realize that under the ron
partisan form of government of the Dis
trict OF Columbia We have the best oppor-
tunity in the United States to put that
faith in practice. We 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 have the best munich
pal government in the world
Our public offices are business offices
and not political patronage. and no one
can make a livelihood by trading on his
political principles. II 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 this
duty, and that your desire. like mine, is
to maintain the present purity of our
municipal affairs. II is manifestly more
important to those who represent the poor
and weak than to those who represent the
rich and powerful, that this state OF affairs
should be continued, for the rich and pow
erful viii get what they want under any
kind of government, while the poor and
weak always suffer most from misrule.
You, as leaders of your people, realize
how important it is that you should have
al nj Irni init
tration. Like all citizens, you want a low
tax rate with the highest character OF
schools and Of protection against crime.
fire. and epidemics of disease.
in the short tine that | have teen In
office. | have been importuned frequen ly
fo- political appointments and for political
contributions. 1 am glad to say that no
member of your organizations has made any
such request. 1t seems evident that you,
as leaders Of your race, are following
Booker 7. Washington-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. faithfully. and
steadily. and SO TO command the pect
and regard of your fellow citizens; this is
manifeztly the way of progress and pros
perity in which YOU are leading your peo-
pie. You are teaching them that they
must support the Government and not
that the Government must support them. |
1t is most fortunate that in Washing cn. |
the city set upon hill, where everything |
that you do is watched by the whole coun-
try, you have so many men who have |
shown what intelligence and industry AMI |
integrity can do. and who are thereby en- |
millions of their fellow men and |
women to follow in their footsteps
Mr. Netherlands remarks were received |
with great enthusiasm by his auditors, the |
speaker being frequently interrupted by |
applause.
After the call upon the Commissioner |
the line proceeded downtown. calling at
each of the newspaper Offices.