National Republican., 1878-07-02

There was considerable activity at Columbia
Building yesterday, both within doors aud out
on tho sidewalk. Many Of tho faces of old
contractors and laborer were to be seen on the
pavement, and animated discussions wcro In
dulged In as to tho programme likely to be fol-
lowed by tho now Board CT Commissioners and
the prospects of obtaining work. Most of tho
men took a hopeful view Of the situation, and
entertained the belief that more prosperous
reign would be inauguratod by the municipal
magnatcs and tho liberal appropriations grant
od by Congress lisburs: d promptly.
1t was very evident, judging from the per-
sonal opinions expressed. that the now OIL
cals commence their duties with tho enjoy.
neut Of the good opinion Of the citizens, who
believe that they have the interest Of the city
at heart and will exert themselves to promote
its beauty and prosperity. Within tho build.
ing some oommoton was also apparent and
there seemed to be an air Of unccrtaint pre-
vailing among tho suborjinatcs, accompanied
with serious faces that would lead II stranger
10 suppose something Of q melancholy nature
had or was tnnspiriag. Silence was In com.
inand, and II q motion was made 1t was done
with so much stiffness and care as tn impress
one with the ma icsty of power and awe In
which superiors are held. However, as tho
day grow on this restraint disappeared. and
before tho closing hour arrived, clerks and
business took on the old easy, active appear.
ancc. Ex-Commissioncr Bryan came in about
nino o'clock to extend welcome TO his sue.
cessors, md appeared In excellent spirits Mr..
Bryan has opened o law. .ofiice In this city, aud
will resume tho practice Of his profession.
MAJOR TwINING, THE ESGISEER CoMMIs-
sIoSER,
was the first member of the now board to ar.
rive ut tho building. lie Is a gentleman OF
fine appearance and address, sociablC aud easy
to approach. His selection was Fortunate and
will doubtless receive the general approval OF
tho public Outside the line of his branch of
army study and engineering he has little
knowledge OF the routine Of municipal affairs,
but bctIg a student Of close application and
grnsling mind, 1t will not require much oxpe.
ricnCo or instruction for him to become nc.
quaintcd with taxes, finances, contracts, AMI
the general operations of the government. He
was introduced to many of the employees
by Judge Bryan, and not having taken the
oath Of office. II WAS administered by Collector
John +. Cook, who Is notary public. This
qualified him for the performance of official
duties, he not being required to give Il bond.
In conversation with a representative of
THE REPrDLICAN he stated that he had not
follow. but that he desired and should ask for
the detention Of Lieutenant Hoxic as Firt As.
siStant Engineer. He was satisfied that the
gentleman was q careful officer, enjoying q
complete knowledge of the work upon which
he had been engaged: that he had the interest
of the District at heart, and his remaining
wherc he now was would prove highly satis-
factory to himself. At some future day he
should designate who lie desired for a second
assistant, but at present he was unable to tell
whether his service would be required, and
that must be looked into be fore the detail was
requested. Later in tho day
COMMISSIONERS PHELPS AND DENT
arrived. They took tho oatA of office before
Mr.. J. +. OCOnnor, of the Solicitors office.
They happened to be at the Treasury Depart
mcnt on very important matter, and found
before they could procccd any further that
they must be sworn so they took the oath he
fore the first notary accessible. They we're at
the Treasury for tho purpose Of getting of to
Now York the interest on tho District bonds,
made available by law yesterday, and amoun'-
ing TO s922, ,jO32j. The interest was as fJl-
lows: On pcrnanent-imprOveme bonds, gold.
bearing interest, 3ll0,sj0; funding. 'oan bonds,
gold-bearing interest, $1,000; permanont.im-
prOvcment bonds, currency interest, S23, ,I50;
water stock bonds, currency into est, SlI, sos
Register stock bonds, 81, ,S9S.25. The interest
will not be due again until January |, 1879.
Having seen the duty performed, the Commits
siOners proceeded to the Columbia Building,
where they met their colleague. Tho act pro.
viding tho form of government requires that
they shall proceed Us 4 board. Accordingly, q
formal meeting was held, and Commissioner
Phelps, upon tho nomination Of Major Twyn-
Ing, was unanimously chosen president Of the
board.
THE FIRST WORK DONE
was the passing Of an order to the supcrIn.
tcndent Of Police directing him to tako charge
Of books, records, aud affairs of the Board OF
Police until otherwise ordered.
1t was decided that the Commission will
daily receive personal communications from
| the public from ten q. nj. to one p. M, and
hold executive sessions from one to four D. IN.
| After the transaction of the above business the
doors were reOpened, and District Attorney A.
q. Riddle and Secretary William Tindall iu.
vited In toa conference. The act creating the
government was examined, and its provisions
discussed, In order that tho board could obtain
| what light possible from that direction as TO
| the duties they were called upon to perform.
| They also invited in from time to time tho
heads Of the different departments to secure
| tho information they We're in search Of aud
which could be obtained readily in that man.
ner.
As the law demolished the Sinking Fund
Commission AID requ rol the nee uniting
officer Of the Treasury to take control OF their
work, also to revise tho accounts of all the
finencia! officers, these gentlemen wcro di.
rcctod to look out for such reyisions. The in.
terest books arc to be turned over to the Sink.
ing Fund Commission and they will carry out
the law by placing in the hands of United
States Treasurer Gilllan all tho papers, &C.
counts, and moneys they may hold in their
| POSSESSION.
In tho afternoon the Commissioners were re.
locating their desks with view OF arrang ging
| tho hack fnr thu hnupI R1natinta al
keeping tho front ono for general business.
| They had numerous callers and received many
congratulations, aud for the first day in harness
succeeded admirably.
| Minor District Notes.
Major J. r. Hanneman has been requested
TO conduct the firing ofa salute of 800 guns at
the monument lot, on the ith inst.
| Major Thomas p. Morgan, Superintendent of
Police, was yesterday invited to an interview
with the Commissioners, during which the
records and management Of the Police Depart.