The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-03-06
Washington Bureau.
The Pensacola Journal.


Washington, March 5.-Very touch
ing scenes accompanied the presenta-
ton on Tuesday by the members of
the house rivers and harbors commit |
tee of a clock to Stephen NJ. Spark
man, the chairman, as token of the
high esteem he is held by his asso-
ciates of many years.
The Floridian left congress on
March 4th after a continuous service
of % years, for 20 years of which he
has been on the rivers and harbors
committee, and for the past six years
its chairman.
The clock Is most handsome time
piece presented by all the members
of the committee, Democrats and Re-
publicans, as a token of their per
sonal and official esteem.
The presentation speech was made
by Congressman William E. Humph-
rey, of Washington, the ranking Re-
publican on the committee, who has
served with Mr.. Sparkman for many
years. The full membership Of the
committee was present at the meet
ing which was the last the committee
will hold at this session.
Mr.. Humphreys address of presen-
tation was as follows:
"Mr. Chairman and members of
the committee, as this is the last time
that this committee will ever proba-
bly, meet, and as this is the last time
that those here will probably ever
assemble. l take this occasion, Mr..
Chairman, on behalf of the commit
tee, to present to you a token of our
friendship and regard. The commit
tee has selected think with great
Appropriateness beautiful clock.
AS I look at this clock, Mr.. Chair
man, and as think of your long and
honorable public career, without blot
or stain, it recalls the words of
Shakespeare:
"His honor, Clock to itself, knew
the true minute"
: "(Applause.)
. 'Mr. Chairman, it is the hope of
the committee in the years to come
that this gift will serve to recall the
pleasant memories of the happy days
that are no more. We hope that when
, you look upon the face of that clock it
will recall to you the faces of your
friends that have so often sat with
you around this table. AS you look
upon its hands we hope that they
will ever remind you that whatever
: fate he future may hold for you that
those who served with you so LONG
have their hands ever extended II
o friendship and best wishes. Gap
T. lause) And when it strikes the houl
l. we hone that it will recall to you
: mind the many pleasant hours of oul
e association that we have spent to
gether in: this room and elsewhere.
"And, Mr.. Chairman, it is tn,
" heartfelt wish of every member o
5 this committee that it may stril
$ many, many hours for you. and tina
r in those hours there may be little o
8 sadness and disappointment and tina
= all of them may be filled with sur
e shine and happiness. But whethe
y they be jeweled with Joy or shadowe
with sorrow, the best wishes and tn
= friendship of those who have been as
ISOLATED with you go out to you al
ways. (Applause.l We wish 70
= you health, happiness and length o
4 days.
"And now. Mr.. Chairman, when 9
last your shadow has heightened "A
2, toward the east, and when at last VI
q have reached your journeys enc
> and when at last you Il
your burdens down, when for 70
ly the last hour shall strike an
,y; time pass into eternity, then. ma
that last hour be as peaceful and ger
=, Is tie as the cool and quiet twilight Of
ir summers evening. (Appl2use.(
n, Now, Mr.. Chairman. on behalf {
y, this committee I present it to 20
n and say, Good-by and good luck"
re Mr. Sparknan. with moist eyes ar
bP s voice filed with emotion, replied;
g. Gentlemen of the committee,
r. say that l am greatly pleased at tn
or manifestation of your esteem is
rrss but feebly express my feelings {
G. this occasion. | did not and was n