The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-05-09
Commissioner for the District.

The Washington correspondent Of the
Richmond Dispatch says that on Saturday
last "Senator johnson and Messrs. Goode
Cabell, Reagan, of Texas, and Singleton, O.
Mississippi, of the House, called upon the
President and presented the papers Of Hon
D. C. Dejarnettc, whom they wanted APP
pointed Commissioner OF the District Of
Columbia. They stated that he is recon-
mended by large number Of the member;
of the Virginia Legislature, Judges Of the
Court of Appeals, and leading citizens Of
of that State, and would fill the position with
credit To himself and profit to the Govern
ment. The President said there will be a
vacancy, and he will give the papers OF Mr..
Dejarnette due consideration
1t is not our purpose to question the fit
ness of Mr.. Dejarnette for The position he
seeks, or the right Of our Democratic friends
to press the claims of one of their own party.
We simply refer to the matter to bring to
the attention of the President the name OF
another Virginian, who possesses higher
claims and better qualifications for the du-
ties of Commissioner than any one who has
vet been mentioned in connection with the
prospective vacancy. We allude to Major
Ed Mcmahon, of Staunton, whose papers
have also been laid before the Executive.
While not a lawyer nor Il politician, his ed
ucation is of that kind that is peculiarly de-
mandcd by the interests of the government
and the District in the selection Of Com
missioner. What they want there is prec-
teal, experimental knowledge Of the various
duties to be discharged, and we think we are
safe in the assertion that there is not his
superior in the United States in this respect.
The administration of the affairs Of the Dis
lance with the duties to be discharged,
would save millions to the govern
ment in the course of one term of
official service, and be of invaluable
assistance to the legal gentlemen who con-
stitute the other members of the Board Of
Commissioners. There would be no extrav-
agant prices paid for work that came under
his supervision, for he could tell at a glance,
whether the bids were reasonable or not
and what the minute cost of any improve
ment suggested. He is one of the broadcast
Drained men in Virginia, with an integrity
that is above reproach, and would be equal
to any demand that might be made upon
him. He is, also, a Republican who has
borne the heat and burtheE of the day, and |
proved his devotion to his political convic- |
tions at times when it required genuine |
to do it. There is no man in Vir-
ginia who has higher claims upon the gov
for recognition, and President
Hayes would do BETTING act, which would
meet the endorsement of men of both
parties in this State, were he to designate
Maj. Mcmahon for the vacancy in question.
There is no man who stands higher in pub
lie esteem, or enjoys the confidence of the
people of Virginia in greater degree. He
s the peer of any one who M ay be his COM
)etitor in all that goes to make up the high
oned gentleman, and with his peculiar quail
fications for the place-qualficatio pos
essed by few in the broad limits of the
ountry-he would make one of the most {
opular and useful public officers who has
cen commissioned by the President during
is administration
Hon. Charles Foster, member of Congress ,
'om Ohio, in an interview with represen :
ltiHe of the Washington Republican recent :,
Said referring to the reported confessions q
Mcl[n and Dennis, of Florida, II have !,
lard and believe it, that Iilden's money .
occurred these documents. The story is n
at 81, 1000 has been paid already as the first a
and more remains to be paid in
e course of time" And this is the kind
''meral reform" our democratic friends +
: anchoring to- " =,