National Republican., 1874-07-02
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
THE ORGANIZATION STILL HANGS
FIRE. 49,

"AIR. CATTELL DECLINES THE PRoFFERED
APPoIETMENT-TH THE OTHER TWO GEN
TLE4GEN ANXIOUS TO GO TO woRK-JULY
INTEREST ON THE BONDS PAID.
The au-absorbing topic yesterday was the
supposed organization Of the District Commis-
sion. all Of whom, 1t had been announced by
those supposed to know, had siEnihed their
acceptance of the position and hAd arrived in
the city to enter upon their duties. Early in
the morning q reporter of TIE REPUBLICAN
called at the EbbItt, where he was Informed
that Mr. Cattell had not then arrived, bot an
hour later he was informed by one Of the wise
acres that he had arrived and was at that
moment interviewing the Presidnnt, and that
he would surely accept the profered appoint
ment- A little later It was Eu2ored that the
commission would meet at the Executive
Office, corner of Seventeenth street snd Penn
sylEania avenue, and organize. At the hour
named, however, the gentlemen failed to put
in an appearance, and little later it was as
certained that Mr.. CatteI had sent in letter
declining the appointment, on the ground that
il would seriously interfere with certain other
arrangements, and this was laid before the
Cabinet by the President apd duly discussed.
The following is the letter Of Mr.. Cattell:
| To The Presidsnt:
SIR: For reasons Of a personal nature, con-
veyed to you in our interview of Wednesday
evening, 1 respectfully beg TO decline the ap-
pointment of commissioner of the District of
Columbia. Fully sppreciating tie honor you
have done me in naming me for SO important
and responsible position, and with the as
surance that if it were at all consistent with
my other engagements / would cheerfully
serve the Government and the people Of The
District to the best of my ability, have the
honor to be your obedient servant,
While this discussion was going on Mr.. Den
nison and Mr.. Blow, both Of whom have ac-
cepted were seated in the ante-room, waiting
an audience with the President, which was
granted as soon as the session had closed.
During the interview they were informed Of
the declination of Mr.. Cattell, and in the con-
yersation which followed the President ex-
pressed his intention of appointing another
gentleman to I'LL the vacancy at an early day,
as he was very anxious to have the commission
organized and proceeding with their business
as soon as possible. He also stated to ether
gentlemen that he would fill the vacancy be-
fore he left for Long Branch on Friday.
Messrs. Dennison and Blow have had several
informal talks on the subject of organizing
without the third member, but concluded to
wait awhile, and in the event Of a non-appolnt-
ment to ask an opinion as 10 their rights and
powers in the premises from the law office of
the Government. They have studiously avoided
all discussion as to the line of policy to be pur-
sued, and for the present are occupying their
time in making the acquaintance of the laws
which govern the District, and which they are
so soon to administer.
Both gentlemen seem anxious to enter upon
the discharge of the onerous duties devolYing
upon them, and propose to give them the time
and attention which the occasion, In their
opinion, merits. Thus it can be safely said that
what they do will be well done, and will de-
serve and receive the thanks of the citizens.
Of course, there was during the afternoon
much speculation as to who the third man
would be, and the town was full of rumors and
reports in favor Of this or that faVorite candi-
date of certain gentlemen, most Of whom have
been previously named for the position. 1t
may, however, be asserted that as yet the
President has not made up his mind upon
whom he will confer the Office, but it is more
than probable that the recipient will not be o
resident of the District.
In accordance with intentions previously an
nounced, the interest on the foreign bonds was
paid yesterday by the First National bank, and
in this city the sinking fund commissioners
paid, through the National Metropolitan bank,
the interest on the eight per cent. improvement
bonds and the water bonds.