Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-09
Mr.. Macfarland's Second
Term as Commissioner.
MAKES AN ADDRESS
HANDSOME FLORAL TRIBUTES BY
FRIENDS.
Address by Mr.. E. g. Davis, Represent
ing the District Of1cials-1m-
promptu Reception.

Mr.. Henry b. f. Mac1arlanu az IL oS
today subscribed to an oath or alesianoo
and began his second term Of three years
as Commissioner of the District OF Coiuin-
ba. The ceremony took place In the iarse
room on the fifth floor of the District build
ing, where the sessions OF the poaro are
held When the impromptu reception which
followed the swearing in Of Mr.. Macfarland
was concluded the Commissioners held a
session for the purpose of reorganization.
as Is required by law with each change in
the personnel of the board or reappofht-
ment of a member. Mr. mcfarland was
again elected to be president.
Some time before II O'Clock. the hour set
for the ceremony large boxes of flowers
began to arrive at the District building
addressed to Commissioner mcfarland
These were carried to the board room and
placed on tables in one corner transform
ing that section of the place into veritable
bower. Most prominent among the floral
contributions was a great stand of Amert-
can beauty roses surrounded at the base
with scores of carnations, sweet pea bios
SONS and dainty lilies of the valley. These
were the gift of Commissioner Henry l..
West.
Testimonial Of Employees.
The offerings from the District employees
were exceptionally handsome and appro-
pirate. The officials and clerks decided
that instead of presenting the Commissioner
with cut flowers, that would wither and
fade. they would give him grow ng plants,
which he might keep for years tokens of
their esteem. AS a result the Commissioner
received a magnificent palm, standing six
or seven feet in height; large fern. meas
urlng possibly four feet in diameter;
blooming hydrangea and small rare
specimen of q palm.
Com SOnpr in
by DR.. William Tindall. secretary to the
board of Commissioners. He used the
Bible that has been in the Distric. service
since long before the present form of gov
eminent was adopted. The Biol, was for
merly used in the mayors office and the
exact time of it's adoption shrouded In
mystery. The date of it's publication was
1878. Mr.. Macfarland was sworn in with
the book open at the 121st Psalm. the first
and second verses having been selected by
the Commissioner: Il will lift up mine eyes
into the hills. from whence cometh my
help. My help cometh from the Lord which
made heaven and EARTH 1t was here that
Mr.. mcfarland kissed the Bible after
avowing his allegiance.
Makes Brief Address.
Before taking the oath Mr. MacfarIand
spoke briefly to the citizens and officials
gathered in the room. Before taking the
oath of office for the second time as Com
missioner of the District of Columbia" he
said. Il cannot refrain from expressing my
Feelings of gratitude. 1t would be ungra-
c1ous not to acknowledge the steadfast
SYMPATHETIC support of the citizens of the
Dlstrict or Columbia, and especially of
those VINO are officers and employees of its
government, whose co-opera ton cordial
and constant, has made it possible to bring
things to pass '
THAT harmony which promotes efficacy
OIL action has prevailed with advantageous
results We have been fortunate in labor
ing together in the service of the District
or Columbia during three years which
opehed new chapter of progress We
nave been privileged to take part in plan
nlng and working for the largest develop
ment and Improvement of the national cap
ltal AS we approach the 18th anniversary
next month, of the adoption Of the act of
1878. for the permanent government of the
District of Columbia, which the United
states Supreme Court has called its CON
stitution, we can congratulate ourselves
as its citizens, that its conditions were
never better, nor its prospects brighter
'Justitia omnibus the motto on the seal
of the District of Columbia, Is still the rule
of Its government. Equal justice to all
interests. and to all men, jealous care of
the Districts welfare and honor and deyo-
ton TO Its highest aspirations are In our
purpose
Above ALL 1 desire to return thanks to
Almighty God. ruler of all states who has
preserved US from any great disaster. and
ent but confident trust in a continuance of
His protection and guidance that / enter
upon a second term"
On either side of Mr.. Macfarland stood
Commissioner West and Col. John Biddle
the Engineer Commissioner when Dr. Tin
dali advanced and read the oath to Mr.
Mcfarland and the latter subscribed to it.
Expression of District Officials.
When this official act was finished Mr..
o.
forward to say a word for the District Off
Gals and to formally present the flowers
to the Commissioner.
ION this occasion" he said "heartily
sharing in the expressions of appreciation
and commentator of your administration
that have so freely come to you we cannot
as employees of the District refrain from
expressing our qualification that we have
the assurance that you will be with us an
other term. We greet you, sir not as an
untried quantity but one who has been
weighed in the balance and who has met
every requirement of the high position
which you have honored
THE citizens of the District have n right
to expect a high degree of intelligence. of
integrity, of sterling worth, in the man who
is called upon to lead the government of
this beautiful capital city of the greatest
nation on earth. You, sir, have fully meas
ured up to that high standard. Upon every
OCCASION. whether In the presence of ROYALTY
ambassadors, statesmen clergy or laity
you have acquitted yourself in a manner
to reflect honor upon the District And as
citizens we are proud Of your record
Flowers Presented
'As slight testimonial of the nigh
esteem In which you are held by the officers
and employees of the District. I am asked
to request that you will accept these flow
ers, emblems of affection and purity. They
are token Of our appreciation of your uni
form kindness and courtesy on all OCCASIONS
We ask you to accept them, not for their
intrinsic value. but for the message of
love and loyalty which they ,ear to you.
with our best wishes for yoIr continued
health and prosperity"
Mr.. Mcfarland replied to Mr.. Davis: TT
is impossible for me. ladies and gentlemen
of the District service, my companions liz
so many days of storm and stress as we'll
as in times of brightness and happiness, to
say what l feel in response to what you
have said through your spokesman. beg
you to believe that value your friendship
lnat / prize it highly, that / have relied
upon it in the past and shall count upon
in no ftItr, hat 7