The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-04
MAYOR BAKER Dimes HIS
OFF.C AL ASSOCIATES.

The dinner given by Mayor Baker to the
members of the board of aldermen, heads
of the several city departments and men,
bers OF the press. at the Trocadero last
night. was. without exception one OF the
most delightful gatherings ever held in
this city, and was fitting winding up OF
the most excellent administration that
Mayor Baker has given the city during
the past three years.
The main charm of the affair was that
II was thoroughly informal. and as soon
as the guests were seated at the very
prettily decorated tables. Mayor Baker
announced that there would be no
speeches.
He said that he had been trying for
three years to find dinner at which
there were no speeches. and not having
succeeded had determined to have one
himself.
MAYORS KINDLY WORDS.
He further said that some might marvel
at the presence OF reporters, as there were
to be no speeches. but he said he wanted
the reporters present as his guests, and
he took occasion to say that during the
three years OF his administration he had
never had one single occasion in which
the confidence placed by him In the re-
porters had been betrayed. They were
his friends and were present as such.
At the head OF the table with Mayor
Baker was Mayor-elect ID. l.. ID. Gran
ger President Vincent and Aldermen Win
sor, Freeman, Winship. Reynolds Nc
Carthy and Davis representing the up
per branch OF the city council.
The departments in the city hall were
represented by Philip s. Chase, city au-
ditor; Elisha III. Rhodes. Arthur III. Arm
ington and Walter w. Burnham OF the
board of tax assessors; DR.. Horace S Tar
bell, superintendent OF public schools; DR.
Clifford Ii. Griffin. police surgeon; and
John l.. Sprague, George II. Burnham,
John l.. Studley and Charles II. Mathew
son. OF the board OF license commission
ers; Edward c. Joyce, recorder of deeds:
Spencer 3. Hopkins. Inspector of build
ings: Robert T.. Smith, commissioner OF
public works; City Messenger Edward s.
Rhodes; ID. +. Hayden. common council
clerk and clerk OF committees; william
E. Clarke, city clerk; Judge Isaac Ii.
Southwick. Charles r. Smith and Joseph
III. Canning, of the board OF canvassers
and registration; Edward Field, clerk OF
the municipal court; Secretary James A.
George: James T. p. Bucklin, harbor
master; Albert T. Mansfield. superintend-
ent OF public buildings; George Young
lice Egan. and representatives OF the
press.
NR. CoLWELLS Letter.
About midway In the really excellent
dinner provided by Caterer Tillinghast,
the health OF the retiring mayor was
proposed by President Vincent of the
board OF aldermen, and then President
Vincent read the following letter OF re-
pra ,Air a..
confined TO his home by sickness
Providence, n. l., Jan. 3. 1901.
Walter Il. Vincent. Esq, president OF
board OF aldermen:
Dear Sir--I much regret that have TO
forego on account or cold and its con-
sequences the pleasure of enjoying the
dinner OF the mayor. which he kindly
invited mo to attend.
May say to you for your kindly COM
munication at the dinner by this letter.
or in such way as you may see At. that
IL present at the dinner i should beg
the privilege of expressing this word.
In the course Of discharging the duties
OF my Office I have often come In con-
tact with the retiring mayor. In consul
tation upon questions of vital import
ance to the city's interests.
IL would be matter OF surprise, I
think. TO the public generally TO learn
Of what grave responsibilities fall upon
the shoulders OF the mayor of our city.
and they are, az may well he inferred.
pcrplexlng and fruitful OF much anxiety
of mind.
I most eheerfully and unreservedly
bear witness that ] have ever found the
retiring mayor giving most conscientious
attention TO the duties of his position,
and his considerations to my mind have
ever been marked with signal ability. and
his conclusions when arrived at have ever
Indicated rare good Judgment. $50 many
instances are known TO all OF US that
may be excused from detailing)
N the retiring mayor has not filed
the once In its best sense. am sure the
space not nlled is so small ~ has es-
capped my notice. and ! think u would
puzzle the closest scrutiny TO find it.
Personally l shall ever bear in most