Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-06


Gage Offers Congratulations.
Secretary Shaw turned slightly in
expedition that Justice Shiras would
present his hand in congratulations but
before the latter could make move
eX-Secretary Gage has stepped for
ward and grasped the hand of his sue
cessor. at the some time cordially con-
graduating him as follows: "Mr.Sec-
rotary it gives me great pleasure to
heartily congratulate you upon this &C.
casion, as you assume charge of this
department. and l trust your admins
tration may be in every way success
full and pleasant
Secretary Shaw replied in substance
as follows: Il thank you for your kind
words of congratulation and beg to as
sure you that if l shall achieve such
success in the administration of the
duties of the Office as has been accom-
plished by you, shall be abundantly
satisfied"
Delivers Voice Heard.
| As Secretary Shaw was speaking
Senator Dolliver pushed through and
advanced toward the new head of the
treasury, shaking his good friend of
the tenth district vigorously AMI volc-
ing personal word of encouragement
and confidence. Justice Shiras follow
ed with congratulations and then the
secretary's hand was squeezed and his
arm wrenched without intermission for
two hours.
Shakes 5000 Hands.
Of course the Iowa congressman
were first, followed by the other Off.
al f,,ia ,Ir.
grand procession of employees of the
treasury. There are something like
5000 of these workers, and every man
and woman of them, from the heads
4 of bureaus down to the colored porters
and charwomen We're personally pre-
scented and shook hands with their new
chief.
Was a Big Undertaking.
!, 1t is not probable that Secretary
Shaw fully appreciated at the outset
the enormity of the task before him
, 1t was in his heart to not only call ev-
cry employee by name and shake the
{ hand, hut to offer a pleasant word to
each. Such words are easily spoken
and they mean much to the eGtplaye
: who perhaps never meets personally
the secretary save upon such an occa-
Il
words and in motive but the 1eshy
/. side of poor humanity has its limita-
tons and the good-hearted Iowa man
!: finally found himself compelled to hus-
| band his energies and confine himself
to merely shaking the proffered hand
and speaking the name of the employee
as presented. AS it was Secretary
Shaw was considerably fatigued in
body when the last colored man had
: been honored.
: Gage the Man Who WAS"
/ Notwithstanding that ex.Secretacy
Gage voluntarily gave up the great of
! fee, when the last moment came and
s when the congratulations were being
heaped upon his successor, it could be
' easily seen that traces of sadness were
upon his countenance. Some wer8
thoughtful enough to shake hands with
him; congratulate him upon his great
: success and wish him Godspeed in his
t future undertakings, but they We're the
exceptions, and the grayhaired eX-sec-
+ rotary was forcibly reminded of the
t fact that the man who was" must
f stand aside for the man who lis
S lowans Present.
Among the prominent Iowans who
/ were present during the taking of the
oath were Senator Dolliver, Congress
. men Conner, Hedge, Lacey, Smith,
!, Rumple, Thomas and Haugen. Sena-
q tor Allison, Speaker Henderson and
: Congressman Hull, Hepburn and Cous-
ms were unable to be present and sent
. their sincere regrets. Director of the
!, MINIS Roberts, Solicitor of the Treas
l. ury O'Connell, Assistant Attorney Gen
eral Fuller and score of other Off
d Gals and friends.
:, Confidence in Shaw.
s Following the reception to the vast
d army of treasury workers. Secretary
k Shaw and his predecessor lunched to.
4 gether and the new pilot of the treas
q ury entered actively upon the arduous
q and strenuous obligations of his great
Office. That he will give studious and
intelligent attention to the many per.
picking and far-reaching details com
l. ing within his jurisdiction and master
= them, and give good account of his
: stewardship no loyal son of Iowa
l. doubts.
0. Gold Reserve Record Broken.
d The day Secretary Shaw took charge
o of the treasury the record of the insti
e tuition was broken with gold reserve
exceeding $546,000, 900, the greatest in
the history of the treasury.
d Shaw Talks in Happy Vein.
u The evening previous a reception
u and banquet given by the employees Of
u the treasury, in honor Of the retiring
Il secretary was attended by Secretary
e. Shaw and the Iowa representatives il
IS the treasury. Upon this OCCASION Sec
5 rotary Shaw spoke briefly in his hap
IL piest vein. Among other things he
oe said that he was somewhat at a disad
s vantage in taking control; that he
" found the treasry at high water mark
ST whereas his predecessor found it at it,
aI lowest and that in his case improve
IN ment would be difficult. He said the
IN weather had much to do with the repu
10 tation of sailors and therefore asked
everybody to pray for good tinancia
weather He asked the chiefs and EN-
~ ployeS to assist him in the work am