Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-20

Mr.. w. b. webb Accepts the Position
rendered Hin-An Appointment that
is Generally ApprOved-A Talk With
the New mmfsSiOner.

Mr.. William B. Webb, to whom. as stated in
THE STAR on Saturday. the President rendered
the position of District Commissioner to sue
ceed Mr.. West, sent yesterday to the President
the following letter OF acceptance:
"WAsHINGToN, July 10, 1885.
To the President:
Iwill accept the position of Commissioner of
the District of Columbia, SO kindly rendered
me, and beg to subscribe myself. with many
WILLIAM b. WE'RE"
The offer of the position was a complete sur
prise to Mr.. Webb, and he requested the Presi-
dent to allow him time To consider the matter.
He had not only his private interests to con-
slider. but also he wished the advice of friends
before deciding. The latter he soon had, as
the news became noised abroad. and Mr.. Webb
hand. His selection was a surprise TO his friends
as well as to himself, but soon as the name
was mentioned in connection with the office,
the fitness of the selection was very generally
appreciated. 1t was remembered that Mr..
Webb was Il lifelong resident of the District,
and from his high personal character and fami-
ly connections, we'll as his long service in ac-
tive practice at the Dstrictbar, he had awide ac-
quaintance with the people of the city. AS chief
of police and complersOf Webb's Digest of the
District laws. he has had additional opportuni-
ties for thorough acquaintance with the needs
OF the District, and thus equipped he is believed
to be q man that will discharge the duties of the
position with ability and efficiency. The APP
pointment is one which seems TO meet with the
general commendation of citizens of all poiiti'
At the District Buildings.
Matters and things at the District buildings
On 4ia street seemed to be at a standstill this
morning in anticipation of the coming change
Commissioner West was on hand at his Office
attending to callers upon public business, bu
there was little to he done. Mr.. Edmonds ar
rived mt his usual hour, about 10 O'Clock. and
was visited by several of his friends. Major
Lydecker seldom gets seated in his office on 4.
street until after IL O'Clock, as he has his gov
ernnlent duties to look after before that time
The work in the District offices is well up; al
the contracts are made out for the year, ana
some of theih executed.
81 am here yet, as you see," said Gen. West tt
q STAR reporter.
"Do you expect your successor tO-daye"
You must not ask me that said Gen. West
How can tell: He may walk in at any mo-
ment, as doubtless he will when lie il ready.
| "HOw much Is the bond, general"
at is S5V,OOO-a heavy bond; but it will
doubtless give him little trouble"
MIR. Edmonds being asked concerning news
paper paragraph about his interview with tin,
| President, answered that "he had not seen TIT
| paragraph. nor talked with any newspaper MAJ
on tine subject
The paragraph referred to is as follows at i
rumored that Judge Edmonds recently ten
| dered his resignation as one OF the CDmmiS
| sionerS of the District, and that at the reque,
| OF President Cleveland he Withdrew il for "A few
| days to enable Mr. Vests successor TO becom
| informed OF the duties OF Il Commissioner. IL i
! also rumored that within ten days Mr.. I'D
monds' successor Will be appointed"
A Talk with Mr. Webb.
| Mr. Webb was found this morning at his Law
| Office. 500 jth street. He trying TO max
| himself C OmfortaDle in an easy chair ne al
open window, but he was obliged SO frequent
to rise and shake hands with the callers tina
came in one after the other. that he was reall
| holding "A reception. The callers comprised "a
grades of citizens, and coiored men iostlc
| prominent bankers and leading business mer
| The remark was very generally heard from th
| callers: Il do not know whether TO congratulate
You the community. One gen tennan r,
| marked: 1T seems that the President had NOR
| influence with you than any of your fri ends.
| Mr.. Webb smiled at this latter remark and oil
| served that the President was very kind, an
| that he stated the matter to him in such a wa
that he could not refuse. Mr. Webb said TO
STAR repurter that he had not vet been offici;,
ly notified OF his appointment, but expected [
receive liis commission to-day. He then woul
make the necessary arrangements. Severs
gentlemen had already offered to go on Ia
bond, but he supposed that il would take SCI
cral days before he was ready to qualify. II
expected 10 go to the Commissioners office t,
day and have Il talk with the Commissioners
and begin tn f;imiliarize himself with the d
tails OF his new position.
When asked in regard to his law practice NJ
Webb said that he did not intend tp neglect /
but expected to be able TO devote portion
each day to his private business. He il a dire
tor ~ the w aShington ia> company and coii
sci tor several corporations here in this CitN.:tfl
he said that lie did rot thiua his new positiu
would make it necessary To- him to give up Ia
| Jaw business. He added tiIi. IN case the intc
, ! estS of the cOrpurati puS he represented came
conflict with those of the District, that he woul
refer All such questions 10 his colleagues.
Mr.. Webb has not only received the person:
congratulations Ola large number of citizens, n,
> his mail has been already laden with letlc
frol.l friends who are now absent from the Cit