Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-17
THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
The Views Of Citizens Of the District as
Ascertained by Star RepOrters-The
Kind of Men They WOuld Like to See
Appointed, and How They Should be
Selected.

Appointed, and How They Should bs
Selected.
Mr.. w. II. Clagett when approached by &
| STAR reporter said that ne felt some delicacy in
expressing himself with regard to the selection
of residents of the District for office. "How
ever" he added, "You may say for me that
know we have a large number of honorable
and capable citizens, any one of whom would
fill any of the positions connected with the Dis
trict government with honor and credit.
know il would be gratifying to our citizens gen
orally to have men familiar with local affairs
| and with property interests here selected for
the local or District offices. We have had a
good deal of experience going to show the bene
tit, the advantage OF having BONO fde citizens
selected for local offices. Now take the i'm
portant question of going before committees o
Congress in behalf of District matters Old ci.i
zens well informed as TO the public wishes and
needs would have no difficulty in satisfying
congress. ., res The President, it is understood
mas said we do not agree among ourselves
Dut there is no way under existing law and
system of determining Just what the people OF
the District do want. This is community oi
100000 people, and the only way we have OF
giving expression to our wishes is by petition
through influential persons. The diversity OF
opinion that seems to obtain here is largely due
10 the lict that the methods which usually pre-
vail in community of getting together and
gixing expression to public sentiment are lack
ing here" Mr.: Ciagett was confident that the
citizens would be glad 10 see good local mel.
selected for the local Offices and he said there
was no lack of good men for these places.
WHAT MR. THOMAS ]. FISHER SUGGESTS.
Mr.. Thos. J. Fisher, said: 81 think that if the
President desires to find out who will
be the best men to fill the District Offices,
that he should, when he is ready to
consider the matter, invite number
Of the leading citizens Of the District, the busi-
ness men, the bankers and the large owners of
property to call upon him He could then call
attention of 1ul,, bn x,o
been recommended for the various offices and
ask tor opinions as to their qualifications. In
ldea not only as to the fitness Of the candidates
for the places, but also the feeling of the people
OF the district; l am of the opinion that this
usual one ofdelegations, for in the latter case
they are in favor of one man and op-
posed to all the others. The consequence
is that after hearing several the Pres
ident is in doubt as to what would
be the best course for him to pursue. This has
been q illustrated in the past, when any measure
OF District interest has been before Congress.
So many diverse views have been presented
that the committees have been unable to judge
the citizens is, as / take it, that good men
should be secured, and if the President con-
suits representative citizens on this point he
VII VIII undoubtedly be able to get information on
this point"
WHAT COL. BERRET THINKS THE PRESIDENT
WILL DO.
Col. James G. Berret says he doesn't see that
there has been any unaccountable delay in the
appointment of District offices. He might name
fifty good reasons why the appointments are
not yet made. The assertion that the Presi-
dent Is greatly embarrassed about the appoint
ments, and the eagerness to give him sugges-
tlonS, he thinks comes from a few Ovar-i,n pa
tient people and persons who have been disap
pointed. Neither class represents the mass of
people of the District. The facts are, he thinks,
that the President is not ready to take the mat
ter up for consideration yet, but when he is he
pf,,ll0
best men he can find. He will not make an ap-
pointment until he is satisfied that it is first
right. He probably has no idea now who are
suitable men for the places, but he will know
all about it when the time comes, and he will
be ready to give his attention to it. He will then
Col. Berret thinks, cal! in a few of the leading
citizens such as want no office themselves,
and not looking for something Tor their friends,
and will ask them such questions about District
the assistance of this information he will select
the men he thinks will make the best officers
From what he has seen OF the President, Col.
Berret says ne thinks he will know as much
about District affairs and people after having
asked a few questions as is known by the ay-
erage citizen, and he will know exactly what he
is doing when he makes the appointments. He
will be particularly careful to get good men, as
they will be right here with him during his term
thinks, will be men Identified with the District,
except probably the marshal, who might be
some personal friend of the Presidents.
WHAT MR.. JOHN w. THOMPSON SAYS
Mr.. Jno. w. Thompson, said "It is rather deli
cate question to discuss, this OF making recon-
mendations to fill the District Offices and while
havemo interest in the matter, except that of
all citizens desirous of securing the best inter-
ests of the city, should think that if the Presi-
dent intimated that he would like to have the
opinions of representative citizens in regard to
this matter, that they might meet and consult
instance, in regard to the Commissioners
If the custom is followed of appointing
one republican and one democrat, the leading
men here OF these parties might meet and Sc
lect some one whom they would recommend as
worthy of appointment. I think that the Presi-
dent could ascertain by conference with reliable
reputable citizens what the citizens desired,
and he could then act with wisdom and give
general satisfaction. I am not in favor of petit
dates regularly to the attention of the Pres-
dent In order that he may determine between
the claims Of the different candidates and
make good selections, it seems to me that no
better plan could be adopted than to consult
with the representative citizens OF the
District"
MR.. A. A. WILSON'S VIEWS.
Mr.. A. A.A.Wilson says he does not think there is
any trouble about the District offices. He thinks
the President is fully competent to dispose of
the District Offices, and that he will do so very
satisfactorily when he gets ready. Meanwhile,
he is not suffering the least 'uneasiness about
them. The majority of the people are satisfied
of this, and are not bothering themselves. All
the best citizens have Endorsed some one or
other, and all the candidates who could get
good Endorsements have seen the President,
put their papers on file, and are now letting the
matter alone to work itself out. They are not
even talking or thinking of the matter. Noone,
he says, is bothered, except, probably, some
who could not get Endorsements for what they
wanted. He looked upon all talk of the Presi-
dents embarrassment and the idea of proffer-
ing him assistance as extremely ridiculous and
confined to u very few persons not in any way
representing the feeling here.
MR.. WARMERS IDEA.
Mr. B. II. Warner, said: "My idea is that
about twenty-five of the best citizens should
get together and select list of names
for the position of District Commission
ers, say about twelve, and send this list to the
President, stating over their names that the
appointment of any of them would be accept
able to the citizens of the District. AS to the
other offices, l think that the President can
ascertain who are good men by proper inQui-
rieS."
3R. M. NJ. PARKER'S OPINION
Mr.. NJ. NJ. Parker, said: ut would be a
good plan for the President when he comes
to take up the matter of District ap-
pointments, to request four or five, or perhaps
more, of the leading citizens of the District to
call upon him and give their opinions as to the
character and the qualifications of the candi.
dates. mean men whose opinions could be
relied upon and whose word could not be
questioned. He then would be in a position to
decide for himself
DIR. GARNErT WANTS TWO DEMOCRATIC COM.
MISSIONERS.
DIR. A. Y. p. Garnett wnen asked by a STAR
reporter for his views in relation to selections
for District offices, replied: 81 have no hesita-
tion in saying that the democratic party of the
istration to adopt the policy Of dealing justly
with it bY appointing citizens to the offices here: