New Britain herald., 1915-04-05

because of his achievements in the interests of the postal employees was in a way unique. Cheering, stamp ing of feet, handclaps and whstling rent the air when he stepped on the platform, when he opened his address and when he closed. He was the
 man of the hour. A large delegation of tho folks back home were pres ent and felt proud indeed of his re- ception. On the platform beside him sharing in the great tribute were Mrs. Reilly, the sons, Robert Reilly of New York city, Louis J. Reilly of Bridge port. and the daughters, Miss Molly Reilly and Miss Agnes Reilly of Bing- hamton, x. Y.
 Former Colleagues There. The hall was decorated with many American flags Each guest received
 handsome program containing portrait of the congressman and
 poem dedicated to him. Congress-
 man Daniel J. Griffin presided and he and Congressman James A. Hamill of New Jersey and Congressman Au- gustine Loncrgan of Hartford spoke in laudatory vein of what their col league had done for Uncle Sams' boys in the postal service in the last two congresses.
 Both deplored the fact that he
 would not return as did other con-
 gressmen who sent telegrams of re-
 gret.
 Substantial Gift Later.
 The reception has been in the work since early in March. Had MT. Reilly been elected the same kind
 of a reception would have been held in Meriden about this time. He was not presented with a gift Sunday but from members of the reception com mittee and the national officers of the postal employees organizations, it is learned that he will be given a substantial gift later probably in the form of money.
 The entertainment program was of high artistic merit and followed the selections played by the Brook lyn Letter Carriers band. Some Telegrams. Congressman Griffin read tele-
 grams from invited guests. Congress
 man Samuel W. Beakes wrote: 'I can bear testimony to his many and
 valuable services to his country and to the postal employees
 Congressman Gallivan of Massa- chusetts said. NO man in the 63rd l congress was more honest, earnest and conscientious in the perform ance of work that came to him than your guest" ....#.. Congressman Heating of Colorado said: Reilly is born soldier of 1 the weaker side He always takes up | the cudgels for the under dog. He simply can't help it. He was born that way. God bless him. If his purse
 were as big as his heart he could af- ford to hire John D. Rockefeller to
 carry his suit case" Telegram from Kitchin. Claude Kitchin of North Carolina wrote: X cannot imagine anything that would give me more real pleas ure, genuine pleasure than to attend this occasion and help do honor to one of the very best and closest ] friends I have"
 Other congressnen who sent their regrets were William NJ. Calder of New York, Ambrose Kennedy of Rhode Island, Daniel J. McGillicud- dy of Maine, Aruthur B. Rouse of Kentucky, Henry T. Rainey and Ed ward E. Holland of Virginia. Con- gressman Jeremiah Donovan of South Norwalk was on the platform. Poem to Reilly. Congressman Griffin, before in trducing Mir. Reilly, said that 1t had been well said by the poet lau- | reate of the postal service, Thomas J. Curran, in that paraphrase of Your Flag and My Flag" the fa- vorite poem of the distinguished guest-that
 Your friend and my friend. and how he lives today In your heart and my heart, and all our friends away, 1 Tribune and sentinel, our faithful friend in need;
 Loyal, brave, staunch and true in every word and decd. Your prayer and my prayer are of- 1 fered up tonight