Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-14

Representative Chas. B. Lands.
and sentiment of his fellow members OF
the House of Representatives.
In the course of his remarks Representa-
tive Lands INDUCED In criticism of
a certain class of department officials.
He said he had been in Washington
about ten years and had gone In and
out of the government departments
many times, but that the worst type
of officials that he had found anywhere
We're those shallow. narrow minded. pin
headed chiefs of bureaus and foremen or
divisions. who took advantage of their po-
sitions to visit petty spites on employees
serving under them He thought that such
officials ought to receive their walking
papers at once
Following baritone solo by MIR. WIN Il.
Burchard the chairman presented Mr..
Frank Kidd of the government printing
office, who told of Mr.. Ricketts, popularity
with all classes of employees of the great
printery. This was followed by contralto
solo from Robin Hood by Miss Lucille
Z. Smith.
Presentation Speech.
Mr.. William ]. Brockwell then made the
presentation speech, stating that on behalf
OF thousands of the friends and old asso-
ciates OF Mr.. Ricketts, in the government
printing office it was his privilege, as well
as duty. to present to him a gold casket
containing $500 IN gold coin and another
s.
He said that from the time Mr.. Ricketts,
first entered the office as a compostor up
at the time of his resignation he had always
been the same treating his friends alike
when he was acting public printer as when
he worked with them at the case.
Mr.. Ricketts, Acceptance.
In accepting the beautiful and expensive
tribute Mr.. Ricketts, said
II assume that If 1 should follow the
51ctn Of
tell you that I am overcome with surprise
at this demonstration tonight; but candor
compels me to observe there has been a
leak somewhere, and the newspapers of this
city, with their characteristic alertness,
have told me in advance OF the generosity
of my old associates in the government
printing office, which has made possible this
remarkable and to me this most fratifying
gathering.
ated with most of you continuously, and 1
have come in contact with all of you to
greater or less extent during that period,
and | feel that would be pardoned If 1
should address each one by his or her first
name. am proud of my association with
the type of men and women which COM
prises the working force of the govern
ments great printing establishment. I re-
garded you not merely as fellow workers,
but as coadJutors In a great undertaking.
relied upon you implicitly. I bear testi-
itCny TO tNc TACT tnat you never Iaiied me.
Tonight you have come here to regis
ter your friendship, and, speaking as a
printer. there is no pr In the form 1t
has taken. l appreciate more than I can
express in feeble words the substantial gifts
which have been presented, but I would
be less than human If / did not appreci-
ate. as 1 do, Infinitely more the sincere
friendship of which these gifts are the
silent messengers.
II shall always cherish these friendships,
as / shall treasure the gold and the gem,
but l assure you with my whole heart that
brilliant is this sparkling stone, 1t is
to me piece of carbon compared to the
depth of the friendship which it is intended
to convey; and the luster of the gold will
always, in my mind be dimmed by the
radiance of the affection which my old as
sociates have shown me this evening.
In Charge of Arrangements.
Those who had charge of the arrange
ments were E. A. NJ Lawson, w. N. Brock
well, B. W. Bonney, Milos Shanks, C. S.
Gum, E. F. Geyer. II. c. Mcfarland j. T.
Wilkinson. T. b. Penicks, w. Brice Coston,
Miss Laura B. Gordon and Miss Kate v.
Smoot.
A portion of the Rebew Orchestra led by
Mr.. Henry w. Weber. and composed almost
entirely of printers furnished music during
the evening.
In closing the meeting the audience Joined
in singing Aud Lang Syne"