Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-28
DISTRICT OF COIrMBrA.

evening:
|. ''OFFIcE OF THE COMMISSIONERS
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, !
| ~ WASHINGTON, March -, 1883
| Dr. Wna 1fnddH, Secretary Comm issfoaey,s ID q.
| IN compliance with the requirements OF Com
| niS9ionero EdmondS and Lydecker that I should
put In writing my declination OF the ofice or nrss
ident OF this Commission hereby make IL ofiictal
| Very respectfully, &C.,
tsigneD J.R WEST"
WHAT COMMISSIONER WEST sAys
THE STAR reporter this morning found Comm,s
sioner West absent from his usual place ana M.
| desk gone from the room he has heretofore occu-
pied On inquiry he learned that President
| West had resigned his position as president.
and had removed his cesk into the Office
lie works and board OF audit. In one Of ths
south vaults, second story. Sending In his card
the reporter was admitted, and found Commis-
Sioner NeSC In The westerly end OF the room be.
mind screen, seated at his desk and busily en-
gagged Looking over some papers. After the usual
| Sdiutauofis tne reporter asked why those thiDps
We're so, and why he had removed his desk. NJ.
| west replied that he had only the washington
workhouse to look after, and he could do it as well
sheie as IN the 'front.' room; further than this he
had nothing 10 say. Later, he would give list of
the particular duties assigned among the respect
| I've Commissioners He dId not wish 10 saw any.
| thing further at that time He now occunies a
room corresponding 70 the one occupied by Major
He appeared cheerful and in good hunmnr this
morning, as usual. Up to nearly IL O'Clock DcitLer
commissioners Edmonds nor Lydecker had ar.
THE ASSIGNMENT OF DuTIEA
Commissioner West furni she'd the following as.
sgnment Of duties as fixed upon by the board
Saturday:
"Cnder Commissioner Lydecker-Streets. ay.
enueS, alleys, roads and sewers, ana all matters
clean ng OF same, and all District bridges: inspec-
tor OF buildings, special assessment division mis-.
celianeous property and all District buildings In.
Guiding Columbia building, school buildinos mar.
keI houses, Ire and police station houses markets:
water department. and all matters relating TO the
water supply, street lamps the &; service and in
spector OF gas and meters; surveyors office con.
Tracts, issue or ali supplies and property
clerk. parking commits SION, river front, wharves
and FISH privileges; railroads, steam and horse;
Telegraph lines throughout the city, and director
OF the Columbia hospital for women.
Under Commissioner Edmonds-Police denarf.
ment, rre department, health department, reform
school, Chesspeake and Ohio canal matters trans
pbnn ot paupa5s and prisoners, District tee-
Under Commissioner West-Publc schools.
S9nsroea ey The board OF school trustees; the
Washington almShouSe, Issue OF liquor licenses
All otter departments OF the District government
are Johty under the control of the Commissioners
This action, Commissioner West said. was taken
@ M when he imme lately resigned as presi
dent OF the board but gave the board until Tues
day TO Review their action and this not being DONE
he wrote the above letter or declination % serve
as president or the board The interests OF the
public would In no manner suffer In consequence
or ais declining TO serve as president or the BOARD
ne ne said and the business would go on without a
Collector Cook, during the forenoon, invited
commissioner West 10 take his desk room within
MS olce on the first floor, a. it was warmer and
every way more pleasant but the COMMISSIONS
lhouahe LIS present quarters would do very well
WHAT COMMISSIONER EDNoNDs SAYS.
Commissioner EdmondS arrived at his Of
nee between IL and l2 o'clock. He states that
he Was somewhat surprised to fad that Mr.. West
had removed his desk TO another room. The mat
Ter concerning which he had on saturday de.
INJURED, 10 Wit: the division or allotment OF public
work, was brought up 10y himself (Gan. WesD last
evening just as he (Ar. Einond>l was about 10
leave the puildlng 10 attend school exhibition,
ana he en- deavoEed 10 per5ua de Gen. West that he
Thought the action OF Saturday I'm the allotment
OF Guties Was for the best Interest or the public
and dlSclairncd for himself and Commissioner Ly.
decker any thought OF giving cause ,or one nse or
objection. He says he will continue TO vote and
act consc ientfousy in the discharge OF his public
duties. aud he hopes his colleagues viii do the
same. There has been no action yet towards al.
lins Gen. Vests place as president He hoped
Gen. West would yet continue to act as president,
and e believed II was the desire OF the public that
he SloDli So acf