Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-15
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A DISTRICT
COMMISSIONER.
The Place NO Sinecure-ReOrgan
ton of the Board.

tAVAe VA thC DOs1Ius
Candidates for the place of District CommiS-
sioner, to succeed Captain Phelps, are springing
up like mushrooms. Doubtless all of these as
pirants feel themselves thoroughly qualified to
discharge the duties of the Office but in nine
cases out OF ten 1t Is probable that but a very
vague conception % OF i these duties IS entertained
affairs is divided among the threeC commissioners.
Commissioner Phelps has in charge matters con-
nected with District finances. which is the most
important of District duties to perform and the
most complicated. The police, fire and health
departments are also under his management
and supervision. All matters connected with
the public schools, charities and corrections are
managed by Commissioner Dent; and those per-
tanning to improvements, engineering and
special assessments are assigned to Commits
sioner TwinfDg.
The successor of Commissioner Phelps ought
TO be a gentleman possessing the respect and
confidence of this community in the highest de-
gree; one who has comprehensive mind, thor
OUCH knowledge of our District affairs, and eS-
pecially the past history OF our various local
governments; of good Judgment, address, and
Su1flc1ent force to go before Congressional COM
mfttees and present District needs in prompt
and intelligent manner, and ready to answer
any questions upon District matters which may
arise. The affairs connected with our sinking
fund, now in the hands of the treasurer of the
United states, requires a person as executive
head who can, at any time when called upon,
explain its past complications, provide ways
and means to meet the interest and provide for
maturing Indebtedness. To successfully dis
charge these duties and be able to make
the proper annual estimates for current
expenses, street Improvements repairs &C.,
thorough knowledge of the assessment
and collecting machinery of the Dis
cellaneouS questions continually arising, cover
ing points OF law and administration which of
course require the collective consideration of the
board, especially where considerable expendl-
lures are involved, such outlays for street i'm
grovementS, &C., but the ordinary routine work
Is generally disposed of under the assignments
above given.
THE SUBJECT OF IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS
of course presents the greatest number of diff
cult questions. There is so much work to be
done and the means at hand so limited, that
much dissatisfaction is sure to result Of any
course they pursue Every one whose street is
In need OF care is sure it is the most important
of the public needs, and the opinions as to the
efficiency of the Commissioners bear in each
case direct relation to the extent their inter-
eStS are cared for, regardless OF those Of others
or the community in general. The Commission
erS can only attempt to give measurable de-
gree of satisfaction to the greatest number of
private interests with a due regard to traffic
and travel and other general considerations To
decide what should be done, with a due respect
to the thousand and one delegations and petit
toners Of all grades or influence, is indeed per-
picking. Ever since 1874, when the commission
government was established, the Commissioners
have had to deal with the Gordan knot of spe-
ctal assessments, growing out Of improvements
under the board of public works and the COM
pletion of many Of them by the Commissioners
themselves. Few Of our citizens have true
conception of the intricate character of ques-
tions involved in the special assessment service
and and the difficulty OF arriving at ANYTHING like
equitable results in all Individual cases, and,
although general rules for treating these assess
ments have been established questions yet arise
OF minor character In connection with them re-
qu1rtng tact and the best Judgment in their set
tlement as well as thorough knowledge of the
laws relating to them.
THE SUBJECT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
is another constant cause of anxiety, and the
adjustment Of means to ends in this branch
often involves duty OF very delicate nature.
There is constantly increasing demand upon
upon the revenues to meet the wants in this de-
partment, which is justly regarded as such an
essential public service that even the attempt to
exercise restraining policy In expenditures to
reasonable degree is attended with much en-
DarraSsment. Many other questions Of an ad-
miniStra1ion, as well as financial character, are
constantly coming before the Commissioners,
growing out of this service. The police service
is Of more permanent character, and The ex-
penditures more easily conform to the estimates
and appropriations. The commissioners are
of tnfractions of rules, &C., but they generally
confirm the judgment of the trial committee.
The lire department is now well established,
and its routine matters well attended to by its
officers, giving little trouble to the Commits
sioners, except as to providing means for its
maintenance. Every day In the year the Office
of the Commissioners is besieged by parties
with every conceivable complaint, memorial or
petty cases, on tnnumerable subjects coming
under the administration OF District affairs, eX-
ercising the patience of the Commissioners to
hear them all in a courteous manner and giving
instructions or advice.
1t is probable that the board will be reorgan-
lied when the new Commissioner appears and
that MI. Dent, as senior, will be called upon to
head the trio as Chief executive officer. Com
missioner Twining will in any event continue in
his present line OF duties connected with the en-
g1neer department. But sufficient has been
here given to show aspirants for the place, that
the officer OF District Commissioner Is no sine