Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-26

grasped his hand and wished him another
twenty years of successful administration
When the banquet hall of the hotel had
been crowded and a buffet lunch enjoyed,
James L. Norris, chairman of the recep-
ton committee. presented a case of gifts
to Major Sylvester in short speech. ex-
preSSive of the sentiments of the donors
A handsomely embellished gold badge, a
gold watch and Il baton constituted the
tokens. In reply Major Sylvester feelingly
expressed mis- appreciation of the conf
dence and cordiality exhibited and threw
out a practical hint as to what he believed
a police department ought to be.
A large tinfoil badge was facetiously pre-
scented on behalf of the Jackson democrats
and automobiles by F. B. Keefer after
which Lieut.. John Kenny of precinct No.
10 mounted a stool in the midst of the BAN
Duet hall and reviewed briefly the career
of the major during his connection with the
police department
Mr. w. II. Nelson. manager of the hotel
threw open the hosiery early to admit the
throngs. Haley'S Band was stationed in a
front alcove. the rooms We're richly deco
rated with tapestries, flags and ported
plants and ferns. and. when crowded as
they were at an early hour. with the mem
bers of the Board of Trade. Business Mems
Association. and with professional men and
citizens OF prominence, the scene presented
was one calcula ted to make a lasting i'm
preston on the mind of the guest of honor
When Mr.. Norris, accompanied by the
major and Mr.. Barry Buckley. secretary of
the reception committee. pushed back the
curtains on the little balcony at the head
or the banquet hall and displayed the case
or presents, there was round of enthusi-
asuc applause and as the presentation
speech proceeded it was interrupted at
every pause by demonstrations of approval
Mr.. Norris Speech.
1T is the pleasure and the privilege this
evening" Mr.. Norris began. "of the citizens
q ha Strio
here and collectively give evidence of their
full appreciation of the manner in which the
police department of this city is conducted
me citizens of Washington are proud of
their city, and justly So They are proud
OF It's pre-eminence In many particulars of
lts beauty. of its cleanliness of its health
1einess; OF it's progressive spirit but most
OF al DO they take pride in its reputation
and deserved fame as being the hest nolica
governed city of this nation
10 you belongs the credit of the truth of
lts deserved reputation. and the citizens
OF the District of Columbia honor them
selves in honoring the man who has thus
wrought for them the good. AS for the
simple word duty you are an exemplar.
fou nave wrought and fashioned the
nest disciplined and the most efficient DO
lice force in this country. and of your
work we cannot speak In moderation
mere is not citizen in this assemblage or
IN 'hls District tonight. but that feels that
ones at home are perfectly safeguardad
as long as you march a the head of your
courteous and intelligent brigade OF blue
coated peace guardians In one resnect
you nave made this city the worst place
on earth, this for crooks and yil-doers
They shun this city as a plague spot. and
the hatred that they have for you is the
best compliment that they can besto1y yo,,
nave mastered the science of criminology
and to you that science owes several inn
PoilanI discoveries. among which is the
bureau of criminal Identification
IN all your honored career the work
That fell to your hands has been exceIIent,v
uone FROM the time when you as editor
Oh the harrington Times. afterward as
reporter on the St Louis Times where you
Chronicled the work of that other great
police chief, the late Larry Harrigan: ar
terward as reporter on the Washington
POST then as chief clerk and executives
onlcer TO that beloved man your prede-
cessor. the lamented Col VIM c. Moore:
then as captain general or president of
the police chiefs. your work has been
marked with a keen. conscientious and in
tellectual force.
You brought to your nresant nos;,io,
an intellect trained In the ways OF the
world. and your genius for the work soon
attracted the attention. compelled the ad-
miration and won for you the plaudits of
the chief of police guardians of the cities
Of this country. They rejoiced our hearts
IN both of their national conventions. and
they complimented their intelligence on
or their honored association.
ihen IL Is both the pleasure and the
privilege OF the citizens of the District of
|oIunbla to tender to you a slight testi-
monlal which carries with II their unfe;pned
admiration and appreciation of YOU as an
ofhcler and their high regard and sincere
esteem Tor YOU as man. From the stand
point or police protection we ask nothing
better for our fair city than that YOU re.
main in your present official position until
that day when the great Sunderer of Com
panies calls you TO a higher reward. and
you there listen to the words: We'll done
thou good and faithful servant
Address in Response.
In response to the presentation speech of
Mr.. Norris. Major Sylvester said that one
day last week a member of the reception
committee had limited to him that what was
TO be done to him tonight was to be "a
plenty"
Il am now convinced of the force and
perhaps the eloduence OF that remark -
continued the major. as he glanced down
from the balcony over the heads of the
packed banquet hail. and then at the large
mahogany case containing the billy"
watch and badge.
1 measure the Significance of this gener-
sus gathering and OF this magnificent trib-