The Washington herald., 1909-05-07

ident-elect Taft -desired-the best inaU-
gural ever held. This gift signifies not
only the funfllnent Of your purpose, but
also the appreciation by your associates
on the committee OF your generous. cour-
teOus. Just. and wise administration OF
your Office.
This gift. in It's solid, genuine metal.
typihes the substantial character OF your
achievements as one Of the most progress
sive and public spirited citizens OF Wash
ington, ard the true. unalloyed affection
and devotion Of your feilow-workers. Its
value does not lie IN the intrinsic worth
OF the metal or the artistic design OF the
pieces. but IN the spirit in which II is
presented. Though this service may be
devoted 10 the cup that cheers but does
not inebriste. may whatever mild decoc-
tion II holds turn 10 the rare wine Of
good fellowship and kind remembrance.
Mr. Secretary Tbom- Your unfailing
good nature and sweet courtesy under
the most irritating and troublesome con-
ditions earned our admiration and won
der. Every complaint from a dozen sub
chairman spd hundreds OF committee
members landed on your devoted head
but ali Questions were answered and ali
perplexities jissipated with an urbanity
and tact that ought to land you in the
highest post in the diplomatic service
Your cOliea gues can only inadequately
express their gratitude and esteem by
presenting you with this silver pitcher
Use Of the Gift.
This gift is Ike yourself. capable Of
dispensing good fellowship and hearty
cheer You may I'll Il with that spark
ling beverage which nature and the
Washington filtration plant afford; you
may make Of II that humble. modern
thirst aIlayer, commonly known as the
growler;' o. you may iii its generous
bowl with that nectar OF the gods, that
inspiration Of Statesmen. good old Ken
tUcky bourbon. tinkling ice and sugar. and
crown its dewy mouth with fragrant
mint In whatever way you Use il. you
viii always ind Il filed with the afTec-
tioa Of your fellow-wOrkers
Mr.. Stellwagen and Mr.. Thom we ask
you 10 accept these testimonials. and may
We hope four OF five decades hence. when
your shadows have turned and heightened
toward the East; when the evening chair
and evening reveries are HES chiefest
pleasures. you may look upon them and
think OF the men who. in 1903 aided YOU
10 inaugurate so successfully a great
prosperity President
Al the conclusion Of his speech Mr
Henry presented Air. Stellwagen with a
handsome solid silver tea service. and
Mr. Thom with a large silver pitcher.
elabOrately embellished-
Mr. SfeIl~agen's Thanks.
Mr.. SteHwageD thanked the committee.
and expressed bis appreciation OF the gift.
saying ne felt too much credit had been
given him personally for the work done.
He declared the work OF the several
committees and subcommittee had been
so conscientiously performed that there
remained little for him 10 do. He said
he congratulated himself on having ac-
complished at least one good thing-that
IS. he named the best Inaugural commit
tee Washington had ever had.
3ir Thorn thanked the commfJtes for
the token OF appreciation Of his work
ana. Ike Mr.. Stellwagen. declared the
great success of the Inauguration was
due chiefly 10 the conscientious work Of
the different committees.
After the ceremonies Mr.. SteUwagen
invited the COMMITTEE TO be his guests
for a short time. The curtains in ths
center OF the room were then drawn
aside, and an elaborate buffet luncheon.
with the table beautifully arranged as a
reproduction OF the Court OF Honor. was
displayed. Although il was somewhat
early in the day for many q Washing
tons business men 70 partske Of lunch
con. the dishes tempted all After the
luncheon was over ali congratulated Mr.
Stellwagen and Mr. Tbom. and as the
party broke Up the inaugural committee
Of 1903 became a thing OF history.