The Evening critic., 1883-03-03
OUR NEW COMMISSIONER.
omethiur About Mr.. j. b. Edmonds.


THE CRITIC yesterday announced the
appointments Of Mr.. James B. Edmonds as
District Commissioner.
Mr.. Edmonds has been resident of
Washington for period Of about five
years. 81 came to Washington he said
TO reporter, who called upon him Mt
his beautiful residence, on K street, yes
terday, to congratulate him upon his ap-
pointment, al came to Washington five
years ago in search for health. ] had
been for twenty years practicing law at
Iowa City, Iowa, having gone there IN
1856, when my physicians warned me that
a throat trouble, which had annoyed me for
some time, would prove serious unless /
gave up my home there and sought milder
climate. ! went abroad for some time, and
it was on my return from Europe that |
came here. / had intended to 90 further
South. but met several friends here, who
rersuaded me to stop over, and finding that
The climate was that for which had been
seeking, and that the other surroundings
were agreeable | remained here, until |
have learned to call Washington my
home"
And a very beautiful home Mr.. Edmonds
has in this city of beautiful residences.
Those familiar with X street northwest
will remember tasteful two-story resi-
dence-cottage Mr.. Edmonds calls it--with
front of the peculiar green shade of stone
which has proven so popular wherever
introduced in the architecture of this city
Have you given any special atten-
tion to affairs of the District since you
have been u resident Of Washington, Mr..
EdmondsF
No. he answered, with quiet smile,
"no more so than any citizen interested in
the welfare of his home city and in that of
those about him. | have always felt that
the city government of the Capital City of
the Nation ought to be a model, and have
naturally felt an interest in it to that ex-
tent, but ] have given the matter no special
attention.
But you will accept?'
"Yes should the Senate confirm the ap-
pointment would not feel that l ought to
refuse. The Office has come to me entirely
unsought Indeed / never so much as
thought of the matter until friend of
mine called upon me to tell me that my
name was being offered by the Iowa delega-
tion and he hoped 1 would not decline.
Coming to me as it has / feel that
scarcely ought to decline, though do not
see that l have any special fitness for the
place other than the general result of my
business contact with the world, and gem
eral observation in this and other c0un-
tries"
"Have you given the detective troubles
and developments any attention, Mr.. Ed
monds?"
"None except what have reen in the
papers. If the statements published are
true in whole or even in part, / do not
hesitate to say that these men ought to be
in the penitentiary. 1t seems to me that
men in such position who would do what
they are charged with having done, are
really worse than the thieves themselves.
OF course, though, we cannot tell how much
of these charges should be accepted, and we
should not, therefore, form any judgment
in the cases until we know the real facts. u
"Are you acquainted with the other Com
missioners, Mr.. Edmonds?"
Not at all. Major Lydecker i think l
have met once, but have no acquaintance
with him other than merely that of an in
PRODUCTION and few moments intercourse.
General West / believe / have never had
the pleasure of meeting"
Mr.. Edmonds is tall, handsome gentle.
man of fifty, dark hair and eyes, dark heavy
beard, covering the sides of his face, but
shaved away from chin and upper lip, a fine
figure an air of intelligence and refinement
quite in keeping with the elegant surround.
ings of his beautiful home. He is native
OF New York State having been born in
Saratoga, N. l.. III 1885, lie read law with
John j. Taylor, in Owego, N. Y. and was
his partner for short time, and then
moved to Iowa City, Iowa. In that place
he practiced law some twenty years, his
partner being Mr. Ransom, under the
tirm-name of Edmonds & Ransom. He
speedily took a prominent position in the
legal ranks of the Northwest and by his
large practice gained handsome fortune
He has no children. Mr.. Edmonds is of q
generous, open handed disposition, and has
interested himself actively in variou:
works of benevolence and public service
He is member of the Metropolitan Club
and attends All Souls Church. In polite:
he has always been liberal Democrat
but has never taken any active
part in political life. Mr.. Edmonds wa
indorsed for the Commissionship by the en-
tire Iowa delegation in the House, not
withstanding the fact of his being life
long Democrat, and received the nearly
unanimous Endorsement of the Democrat,
of the House and that Of large number o
Republicans. Those who have known hin
intimately in Iowa and in Washington al
speak in the highest terms of his integrity
business capacity, good judgment, equabl
temper and judicial mind. There seems t,
be no doubt as to his confirmation by til,
Senate.