Evening star., 1886-08-10
Meeting Of the Outgoing and Incoming
officials To-Day.

THE NEW RECORDER OF DEEDS.
Meeting Of the Outgoing and Incoming
officials To-Day.
MR.. MATTHEWS VISITS THE SCENE OF HIS
FUTURE LABoRS, But WILL NOT TAKE
CHARGE UNTIL To-MoRRow-THE LAW IN
REFERENCE TO HIS APPOINTMENT.
Shortly after ten o'clock this morning cab
drove up to the northeast entrance of the City
Hall, and well-dressed man of medium size
alighted and walked with a quick step through
the corridor to the entrance of the office OF the
recorder OF Deeds This was Mr.. James c.
Matthew's, who was yesterday appointed re-
corder of deeds BY the President, aud he had
come to take charge OF his new office in accord
ance with the following correspondence, which
took place yesterday:
TO Hon. Frederick Dou0lass.
MY DEAR SIR: You have no doubt heard Of
my appointment to the Office of recorder Of
deeds by the President. l have received q COM
mission to that effect. The usual oath OF office
was this day taken and is on file in the Office of
Ine secretary OF the Interior and thus qualified
my duties. If agreeable to you Tuesday to-
a. dna: I9 shall be
May be permitted in this connection to con-
gratulate you upon condition of things under
our present administration which secures the
political freedom and practical equality OF all
men and insists upon the right OF free Ameri-
can cittizens, regardless of color, creed or ma
tionaiity and OF whatever political faith, to par
ticpate in the honors and share in the emolu-
ments of public place?
Yours, honored sir. has been historic life Of
phenomenal activity-of great and varied
achievements, ofprotracted public service. And
with the hope that you may live to enjoy the
DRESSINGS OF many years of quiet and repose,
ana awaiting your reply / am, with respect,
very truly yours, JAMES G. MATTHEWS.
Mr.. Douglass replied as follows:
ANACoST1A, d. c., Aug. 8, 1885,
James Z. Matthews, Esq:
MY DEAR SIR: In reply to your respected
note just to hand beg to state that as usual
will be at my office tomorrow at 10 o clock a.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS
~ anere were q number of people standing
about the corridor to see the new District offi-
rather dim light 1t was difficult to tell that he
was cOlored man. He has black moustache
and his complexion is that of a man who has
oeen bronzed In southern climate. He was
dressed plainly, but in good taste. When he
reached the Office he paused q moment SEEM
whsrs are to in
then, seeing the notice OF. 'prvate office over
one OF the doors adjoining, he went up to that
and knocked. He then pushed the door, which
stood little ajar, open and, standing on the
threshold, he was seen by Mr.. Douglass, who
was seated in the inne. room. The latter at
OF the room the incoming and retiring officials
grasped hands with the customary salutation.
4uc uOOT was t0en closed and the two q.
malned together for some tiIne
MR.. DOUGLASS WILL ALWAYS BE A REPuBLI.
CAN, But WILL ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD WORD
FOR PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
Mr.. Douglass reached the Office at q rather
early hour this morning, and was busily en-
gaged In getting ready to turn over its control
TO his successor. When STAR reporter en-
tered his office he found Mr.. Douglass in con.
sultation with his deputy, Col. Schayer The
latter returning to his room. Mr.. Douglass
=, v,lo Ito
and said that he was waiting for his successor,
and then following the eye Of his visitor to the
gan which hung upon the wall above his desk,
he said good naturedly: ayes, 1 suppose that
these VIII nave to come down now. am a
republican and always will be one, and have
been consistent one 1 have always had a
good word for the President, because he has
treated ME with great consideration and cour-
think that he might have notified me OF this
appointment. by notifying me of the accept
not yet received. The first notifeaiion % navs ss9
was In THE STAR, and shortly afterwards Mr.
Matthew's letter arrived"
NO., he continued, in reply to a question
II will not question the right of Mr. Matthews
to take charge of this Office. Whatever question
may be raised In regard to the Presidents right
Senate5 ~
Mr.. DOUGLASS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
Mr.. Douglass said that his plans for the future
had not been entirely perfected. 81 have been
thinking OF taking trip TO Europe when nv
time OF rest came. l have not been there Tor
iorty-one years, but still correspond with the
Children OF many whom l met then, and am
assured of warm welcome. am now nearly
seventy years OF age, and for the past forty-five
years have been constantly before the nnbIic
ana now want TO spend the remainder OF NV
Gays In peaceful retirement"
HIS HORSE KICKS If HE DOESN'T
A messenger came in to tell him that his
h.ro /, ,i1S,,-
he went out 70 see about it, When he came
pack an acquaintance, who had noticed the
impatient stamping OF the horse, said to him.
Wen, Douglass, don't know how you are
hicklnS great zeal"
THE NEW RECORDER INTRODUCED TO THE EN-
PLoYES OF THE OFFICE.
After being closeted with Mr.. Douglass for
some. time Mr.. Matthews who had been intro
duced to Col. Schayer previously, made a tour
of the office with Mr.. Douglass, and was intro
duced TO the thirteen employees. In order to
allow Mr; Douglass to fully settle up his affairs,
cnarge OF the office until tomorrow morning
Mr.. Douglass left his successor in the office ana
drove away, and Mr.. Matthews began to make
himself familiar with the rooms
WHAT THE NEW RECORDER SAYS
To STAR reporter he said: 81 propose tn
administer this office according to business
methods, and to the best of my ability. 1 intend
to give 1t my personal attention."
In regard to changes, MIR. Matthews said that
he was in sympathy with the administration on
civil service methods 81 know nothing about
the management of this office and the persons
employed, but propose to find out, and will
endeavor TO make the office as l have said
efhclent and organized to carry on the business
In the interests of the public. 1 can say that I
nave made no promises; that am entirely free
and untrammeled, aud that l enter uDOn INV
dutleS mere as free as any man has ever entered
an Office"
The office of recorder of deeds is dependent
upon fees received for recording deeds and
releases and trusts The work is performed BY
a deputy, cOmparer, clerk, and eleven
cOpyists. Mr.. Douglass states that since he has
held The office 1t has paid him between six and
seven thousand dollars per year. No bona is
OF the recorder. In taking the office q
person has simply to take the usual oath, which
department.
THE Law BEARING ON THE APPOINTMENT.
The appointment OF Mr.. James G. Matthews
to the office of recorder of Deeds after his rejec-
tion by the Senate, is made under section 1869
of the revised statutes and not under section
1908 The latter section relates to the suspen-
sion OF OH1clalS and the appointment OF persons
TO succeed them, while section 1869 relates to
the appointment of persons to ill vacancies
term: MIR. Douglass rendered his resignation
ana IL was accepted. Mr.. Matthews nOmina-
ton was sent TO the Senate to succeed Douglass
resigned. Section 1859 is as follows:
The President is authorized to fill all vacancies
whien may happen during the recess of the Senate by
reason OF death resignation expiration term Of
once, Dy granting commissions which shall expire at
the end OF their next session thereafter and if APP
p0lntmen by and with the advice and consent OF the
Senate, Is made to Office vacant temporarily
filled during such next session Of the Senate the Office
emoluments attached thereto until it is filled by an
ponmeht thereto by and with the advice and consent