Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-31

This motion not being seconded, he also asked
any action respecting this motion, to which Com
missioner West answered "No." Commissioner
Edmonds stated that he preferred not to have the
presidency OF the board but would not refuse 1t If
his acceptance was necessary to an organization
of the board for the conduct OF public business
nc lurtner suggested IhaC commissioner Lydecker
having been longer member OF the board should
take the presidency.
Commissioner Lydecler stated that he declined
to take the position for the same good and suffl-
cient reasons that seemed to have governed the
action OF the board since the organization OF the
form Of OF and renewed his
asked Mr.. West If he had any suggestion to make
Commissioner West replied that he had none.
which he did, and Commissioner Edmonds was
elected president for the unexpred term The
following is the vote: Yeas Commissioners Ly-
decker and Edmonds, Commissioner West declin-
ing to vote. Mr. Edmonds In voting aye, stated
that he did so because it was necessary to
complete an organization OF the board. On
motion 1T was agreed that the president
OF the board should act according to his dis
erection In relation to permits for the conduct OF
business without license and for charitable and
religious purposes An order was passed 'sIhat
expenditures for the conduct Of the current affairs
missioner having special charge of the department
to which they pertain, and be submitted for final
approval to majority OF the board"
The Presidency of the Commissioner
Scrap of History.
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR.
The writer OF this was for years employed in an
important office under the District Commissioners
and was In position to learn and know great
zeal ABOUT the matters. concerning the District.
he has failed to find single statute or Congress
slonal enactment appointing authorizing or
acknowledging president OF the Commissioners
OF the District Their duties are prescribed by
law, and must be acted on by all, except In the
case OF the Engineer Commissioned who by law is
required to perform Specific duties, and even then
ne must nave the concurrence OF one Of the other
Two commissioners know OF one OF the ludicrOuS
decisions OF Controller Lawrence probably pre-
pared by his DISTRICT clerk, requiring the presi-
dent or the board to sign all warrants; but he
himself knows that that Office is not a legal one.
lie does not permit the ''prestdent" alone to sign
Tequisit1ons Tor money, but requires all three Com
mlSSionerS to sign them.
AS matter or comfy, when, In 1874, the first
BOARD OF commissioners met, the late Governor
DennlS0n, under regulations then and there made
was selected as president There was no division
OF duties, and consequently no dissenslon. Every
thing went on harlnonously till Mr. Thomas Is.
Bryan, then considered the peoples choice upon
his appointment thought he would walk right into
mares nest of iniquty, fraud, and corruption.
went right In with Will and worked In the great
est harmony with Gen. Ketcham and Capt Phelps,
and afterwards with Maj Twining When Mr.. Dent
erS were divided, and Mr. Dent stood boldly out as
the figure head OF the commissioners. His duties
were tnose OF charge of public schools,
ington asylum, then under the control OF an able
superintendent, and, believe, director Of vari-
Gus hospitals.
When Mr.. West was appointed, as a matter of
courtesy the presidency should have fallen to Maj.
MO Morgan, then the senior member OF the board;
but no. as matter OF right, Mr.. West, backed by
the administration, as he thought, demanded
every Thing: What d!d he get? He got the presl-
fed. q
Amusements.
FoRD's OPERA HOUsE.-The Rice Opera Com
pany will give final performance this evening OF
Gilbert sullivans popular opera '.Iolanthe."
Next week, Tor three nights and Wednesday
matinee, Vance & Sousa's charming opera, "The
SnuggerS" will be presented for the benefit OF the
ISOLATION. The following professionals win appear:
Queen Of the S'nugqle':s. Mrs. Zelda Seguin wal
lace tcontraito); Violanto, Miss Louise Paullin
Genor); Tito Mr.. Henry Mansfield (baritone):
Matto, MI Frank Pearson Gbasso); Mr.. STUDIOS, OF
Captain OF The Caroiaeers, MI James F. Rule
and lnll chorus OF fifty voices from the operate
Association Garbineers by the Apollo Club: An
exhibition drill will be given at each perform
ance by the National Rifles Prize Company
NATIONAL THEATER:-Mr. John Mccullough will
when he will appear in his famous character OF the
Glad,ator Next week we are to have an opportu-
TltR OF seeas the MI John
success, entitled "In Paradise" He viii be as
sisted by strong dramatic company.
,,d IHE hT GoanoUEmHyde Remnants comblna-
and their efforts have been approved by large au-
diences: Next week Harry Miners famous Comedy
sketches. new array OF variety talent will add
10 the attractions OF The performance.
DINE MUsEUM.-The attractions offered at this
popular place OF amusement from week to week
are wonderful, considering the small price OF ad-
mission. Many new features will be introduced in
next weeks program, and the ladies and children
will flock there as usual The trained dogs win be
feature.
ODD FELLOWS HAL1.-Howard and Gll's combl-
TnR n3c Goh NpS,%
last time this evening. The company is q strong
one, and those who have never seen this popular
drama should take advantage OF this last oppor-
tun1ty.
~, " TIE SNOWFALL" comedy in three acts. will
benefit OF the Central Dispensary and Emergency
hospital. Miss Alice Maury, Mrs OReilly. Miss
Riddle, Pierce Stearns. McKin, Freeman and Zane
Will appear.
ROLLER SKATING RINK.-Monday evening viii be
the last general assembly evening at this popular
resort. On Wednesday evening the successful
season Will cloSe when there will be fancy dress
assembly and complimentary benefit to the man
tanment will be given here on Tuesday evening,
Some OF our best readers and singers will take
part In the performance.
Masonic TEMPLE.-Mr W. D. Hughes will lee
tnre on 'The Treason OF Infldelity," at Masonic
Temple, next Monday evening.
lumDla COmmandery, No 2, X. r., gave an enter
tafnment at Masonic Temple last evening, which
DIS largely atUcHucu. MT. l.. bOuulnOC, MI. H. M.
Rogers, Prot Lamb, Mr.. j. NJ. Lamb, Mr. John
Maudsley, Mr.; McCauley, Miss Clara Baker,
Miss Belle Bacon, Nine. Agnes Chappell.
f. b. Hay and others contributed to the
musical and literary portions of the pro-
gram The floor was afterwards cleared for
dancing. the committee in charge being COM
posed OF Messrs. N. NJ Parker, Theodore Dalton
u. B. Hay, O. T. Thompson. VIM. II. Appleton J.
X. Robinson, w. H. Collins, II. C. Thompson A.
Z. johnson, J. A. Ellinger. j. H. Small jr. D. W.
White, N. A. Straight, w. H. Riley, j. G. Lee. W.
W. Eldrldge, J. G. MeGinn, w. II. II. Gould, VIM
b. Todd and s. w. StinemetZ
FREE LECTURES ON MATERIA MEDIcA-Profes-
Sor Baird, secretary OF the Smithsonian Instftu-
ton, has sent out notices that Dr. D. w. PrentisS
Will deliver course of lectures In connection with
the department OF materia medica of the National
museum, to consist Of eight in number illustrated
by specimens and other material from the cOllec-
ton OF the museum. They will be delivered at 4
o'clock on successive Saturday afternoons, begin
! ming Apr1l7 They are free, but persons desiring
| to attend, must be provided with tickets. which
may be obtained by application through the mail
OR In person to Mr.. s. c. Brown. register OF the mu-
scum.
UNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SocIABLE-Last
evening the members OF Unity Presbyterian
church entertained many OF their friends at their
place OF worship, Clabaugh hall, 18th and SITS.
NV, Mr. Arthur B. Claxton, president, announc-
ing the order OF exercises, which were unusually
entertaining. Miss johnson rendered choice mu-