I see before me Mr.Thomas Buffum, who, for years, has had in charge the poor, not only of this town, but of this county.

I do not forget that his task has been one of great delicacy, with the problem constantly before him how to maintain in comfort our most unfortunate class of population, and at the same time to reduce to its minimum the burden of our taxpayers.

That he has solved this problem and served the public well, I most firmly believe.

He has been for many years my trusted personal friend, and I cannot sit here and hear his administration questioned, and his integrity and humanity doubted, without entering my protest.

[Cheers, during which Mr.Buffum grew very red in the face.] He has had a task to perform before which the bravest of us would shrink.