Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-17
ADJOINING THE WALLS.
Portraits Of Distinguished Men at the
Office Of the Dissrica Cons missiOnerx.

While sitting IN the District Commissioners
once day or two since a reporter OF THK STAR
casually observed the portraits hanging on the
walls OF their rooms. AT first no Impression was
made on his mind but as his eyes continually
wandered toward the placid features and old
fashioned attire depicted, an interest was
awakened In his mind as TO who these by-gone
worthless were. Upon inquiry he found that two
Of them were the portraits Of Joseph Gales and
VIM W. Seaton, ex-journalists and ex-mayors OF
Washington. IL may not be known that the first
mentioned was an Engiishman. born In lexington
Che name which the Gales estate near washing
ton, afterward bore, In 1856. Joseph Gales jr,
was mayor OF Washington from 1897 10 1880
Jointly with Mr.. SeatOn he published the No.
st0nof Intelii9encer, paper that held a leading
position in Washington journalism for q long
series OF years. The brother-in-Iaw Of Gales VIM.
W. Seaton, was mayor OF Washington from 1910
10 1850, and shared with Gales the honors be
slowed alike BY the citizens of Washington, Gov
srnment on1cialS and the country az large. But
now, 10 majority, perhaps. OF the citizens OF the
Distrlct-a large proportion OF whom removed
here from other parts OF the Countrywide once
familiar names or Gales and seaton are known
Id more.
Hanging near the portrait OF Mr. Gales is one of
Judge and senator samuel L sonthard, remem-
bred In New Jersey his native state by the old resi-
dents as her ''favorite SON He was prominent La
the part he took In District affairs at his time
1sSI42 He was instrumental In The legislation
concerning the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal which
AT that time considered important 70 the bust
ness interests OF Washington, and Georgetown es-
pecialIy. ON the death OF President Harrison, in
$780, and the accession OF the vicePresident to the
presidential ONCE. he became President Of the Sem
ate. He was at one time Secretary Of the Navy.
and acted successfully as Secretary OF the Treasury
and secretary OF Wal.
IN COMMISSIONER wHEArLEYs ROOM
hangs the portraits OF Charles Fenton Mercer and
Philip Doddridge, OF Virginia; Alexander Thomson,
OF Pennsylvania, and ex-Gov. Henry D. Cooke the
frst governor Of the District OF Columbia The
portrait OF the nrst named Qike the Others except
Gales, Seaton and Cooke, were painted by the or
der Of the councils OF the city OF washington In
recognition OF services done by them In benalf OF
the Dstrfct- Mercer was especially interested In
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal project and was
appointed president OF the company. He served
congress- Philip Doddrtdge, likewise a yirvinIan
served In Congress from 1s.,9 70 1892, and az the
time OF his death, In the latter year, was engaged
IN codfyng the laws Of the District then In force
The project which he undertook has never yet been
accomplished by mortal man, but IL Is 20 be hoped
that soon some one will be found TO pick I'D the
task ne laid down nfty-five wears ago.
OF Alexander Thomson little Is known. He served
bu, two years 10 Congress, and why his name Is
eouinemorated by his portrait IS unknown
or Governor Henry ID. Cooke little need he
said he Is still remembered by many of our eifi-
zens. An anaole. courteous gentleman, and a
public oricer of unsullied honesty he departed
this LIE In 1881 mourned as a public benefactor
Last, but not least, OF the portraits that adorn
these walls Is that OF Major VIM. J. Twining, L. :.
Army, the nrst Engineer Commissioner OF the Dis
trct Appointed In 1878, when the present form
OF government for the District was inaugurated
he served as q Commissioner until May i lSsrI
when, from q severe cold contracted az the Great
Falls OF the Potomac. he died His death was a
particularly sad one. In the prime OF life with
good health, q fair promise OF distinction in the
Ape OF his profession, and On the eve Of his we'd
ding. he passed away. In Life soldier by pro-
fess!On, In death he acted the soldiers part When
he became aware that he must die, he turned over
On his bed and said well, suppose II Il all over
with me; bury me at West Point These were
his last words. In accordance with his wish his
remains rest In the burial ground at West Point
ana a handsome granite monument. placed over
him by his friends and associates. marks his last
Testing-place- His memory still lives In the minds
of men, out OF nearly all OF those whose nkenesses
tmile oenignly down upon the visitor ~ the COM
lnls>ioners ONCE. aud who keep silent watch over
the omcial doings OF the trfumvirate may well be
saio the pathetic words VI old Rip Van Wrinkle:
Are we 50 soon forgot."