Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-06-07
Al&tau0rla @azette
THURSDAY EVENING JUNE :, 1877.
An xlexandrian District Commits.
SIOuer.

Oa Tuesday last, the day the appointment
was made, the Washington dispatches of the
Gazette anacuoced that Mr.. Thomas B. Bryan
had been chosen to be enc Of the Commission
ers of the District OF Columbia. lie entered
upou the discharge of his duties today.
| Mr.. Bryan is native Of his city, having
been born in Alexandria 10 1870. His father
who was postmaster Of this city lor the third oi
century, was 4 poet Of some celebrity, biz
poems haviog attracted attention 10 Eugland
at a time when few American authors had wen
| reputauons there.
His mother is the sister Of uog. James Bar,
bour and CT Phllp Z. Barbour, the former
Secretary of War and Minister 10 England un.
der President Adams The latter was Speaker
OF the House Of Representatives and Judge Of
| the Supreme Court OF thr uIted States.
Mr. Bryan was IN bis youth gifted orator.
AID although only 3 bog at the period Of the
NJ Xioan war, was engaged by the volunteer
officers to kindle the. patriotism Of his towos.
uen by bis 3 irriug speeches, and bis efforts ad-
ded largely to the nuntcr OF 7otnuteers from
Alexandria.
After youth Of great promise he took his
diploma at tho Harvard Law School. While
there, and still uudcr age, he hau so mastered
the German language as 10 write work 10 that
oague, which passed through several editions.
the lag. being published by !bc App'otous.
On leayiug Cambridge Mr.. Bryan entered
upon the practlc1 OF bis profession. soon won
success, and !ormed, thou h sil q lite young,
full full psrtner.hip sv; m with Judxo SAMUEL Kart, lhen
40 emiucut iurist st th= CnclnDaU bar. About
that time he married, and .Eo year, sub>eQlent
Iy vas tempted to Chicago; the Very f Id ia
which to call Into, play IN develop Mr.. BIyaud
peculiar talents a1d qualities Of head and heart
He eogaged 10 business il Chicago, rapidly at.
tanned competency aud sCOu bec1uc wealthy.
Mr. Bryan Was chOscn 10 deliver tho vel.
couic address to Scoator Douglas in behalf OF
all parties in Chicago % thc occasion OF the
great ovation 10 that Statesman Oh bis return
from WASHINGTON, after his u0b!e declaration
Of support to President Lac0in. Ills executive
talent has been practically shown in various
enterprises in ynicIgC, bDh public and private.
Since his return from Europe, where he pass.
ed several years lie has resided mainly in
Washington
He is a gentleman OF culture sud scholarship.
but has for many years taken 90 active part 10
public affairs. i'h" commlssiouershlp now CON
fsrred upon him is bis first political office
The appointment seems to give general sa!l5'
fa,iou. Mr.. Bryan is brother III law OF Judge
Wyiie.
A Washington journalist called upon blm
last evening". Mr.. Bryan received bis journall
istic visitor in the library. lie ID a very pol
ishcd gentleman. uffablc lu manners, and soon
disarms stranger OF all reserve, making him
quickly to feel The ease and freedom that gen.
orally comes Of ripencd acquaia,acceship. "A
general conversation took place, which. 10 the
main, amounted to the following: He had
not sought the place, and took no steps to Sc
cure it. His friends had desired permission to
use his name in connection with The matter,
and be had placed himself in their hands, will
ing to abide the result