“‘We, his servants and employees, have now assembled here, not only to do him honor on this, his birthday, but we desire to keep his name and memory forever fresh and green in our heart of hearts; and no more fitting method, it seems to me, can be devised, than by setting apart the 27th day of October, in each succeeding year, as a memorial day, to be commemorated by appropriate services and the planting of trees. With this object in view, I offer the following resolutions, and move their unanimous adoption by a rising vote:
“‘Whereas, It is meet and proper that we, the employees of the Plant System, should in some appropriate manner observe the birthday of Mr. Plant, our worthy and honored President; therefore, be it.
“‘Resolved, 1. That the 27th of October in each and every year hereafter shall be set apart and observed and duly celebrated in honor of the life and character of Mr. H. B. Plant.
“‘Resolved, 2. That on said 27th day of October, water-oak trees shall be planted at all station grounds and about all section houses on all the lines of the Plant System, this tree being the favorite of our much-loved chief.
“‘Resolved, 3. That the general superintendent and the division superintendents are hereby created a permanent board, with the request that Mr. Plant’s birthday be honored as herein set out.’
“These resolutions were adopted unanimously by a rising vote and with great enthusiasm.
“The Tampa (Florida) Band then furnished music.
“Mr. M. F. Plant addressed the crowds as follows:
“‘Colonel Hemphill, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Members of our Family, the Plant System [Great cheering and applause]: I desire to thank you in behalf of my mother, of my wife, who is absent, and my boy, for the great compliment you have paid my father. [Great applause.] It is, indeed, a great treat to me to be here and to thank you for your kindness, not only to my father, but to the name of the System which, by your very careful, studious, and painstaking application to its business, you have built up. Gentlemen, I thank you.’ [Great applause and cheers.]
“Mr. Hemphill announced that at 3 o’clock P. M. Mr. Plant would hold a reception in the Plant System Building.