Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-23
IMPORTANT NOMINATIONS.

IMPORTANT NOMINATIONS.
John Blair HOge to be u. =. Attorney
tor this District. John ". Ross 10 be
Postmaster at Washington. and Mar.
shall Mcdonald 20 be Fish Commits.
siOner.
The President has sent the following nominations
to the Senate:
Justice: John Blair Hoge, OF the District OF Co
lumoia TO be attorney Of the United States for the
District OF Columbia.
Marshall Mcdonald, OF the District OF Columbia,
to be Commissioner OF Fish and Fisheries.
Postmaster: John W. Ross, at Washington, d.
c.; John IL. curry at Nashville, Tenn.
The New District Attorney.
John Blair Hoge. nominated by the President to-
day to be United states attorney for the District
OF Columbia, served in the Forty-seventh Con-
gress, to which he was elected as a democrat from
the second West Virginia district. He came from
MartinSburg. Since his service In Congress he has
practiced law in this city. He was born at Rich
mond, Va. February 2, 1925, studied law. and
entered the bar in 1S45 In 1853 he was chosen
president OF the bank OF Berkely. He was a MEM
Der OF the Virginia house or delegates from 1855 TO
1859; delegate to the national democratic con-
ventfon In 1880; served with distinction In the
Confederate army all through the war, and at the
close entered Journalism. In 1870 he resumed the
practice OF law in West Virginia, and at the same
time began to take an active part In the politics OF
the state. He was member OF the Constitutional
convention OF the state In 1871 and OF the national
democratic committee from 1872 to 1876. He be-
came Judge OF the third judicial circuit OF the state
in 1872, and held the Office until 1880, when he
resigned and was elected TO Congress.
WHAT Is SAID OF THE APPOINTMENT.
Mr.. Hoge, or Judge Hoge as he is generally
called, has been practicing law in Washington
since his Congressional term and for the past year
or more has had law office in the Evans build
ing on New York avenue. He Is regarded by law
yers who know him as possessed OF high legal at
tainments, and they predict that he will make an
excellent attorney for the District. His nomina-
ton Is sore disappointme to some or the
District democrats who were in hopes that a
washington man would be selected. They thought
that one Of the score or more who had strong
political backing would be chosen by the PreSi-
dent. To those who have stopped TO consider the
matter the selection OF Judge Hoge looks like
compromise with the District democracy and the
democratic party. He has lived In Washington for
several years, and cannot be said to be an entire
outsider, but he has retained his legal residence
in Marttnsburg. He has been for years a good
democratic worker in his state, and has always
had party interests at heart. 1t is said that he
withdrew from the race for second term In Con-
gresS because there was fight In his district
which might lead to injury to the party. 1t is
expected that the appointment will have consider
able political weight
"Judge Hoge's nomination and Senator Faulk-
ner's election will fix Cleveland solid in West Wiz
He is an unusually large, fne-looking man, and
somewhat over sixty years OF age. He wears a
grey mustache. His manners are pleasant, and
from the West Virginia delegation and other prom
tnent politicians.
Commissioner OF Internal Revenue Miller, who is
being much gratiied with the Presidents
choice. He SAID that Judge Hoge's expe-
rience on the bench has fitted MIN for
perform, and that while his practice has been a
general one he has sufficient knowledge OF criminal
to she Ma at the
cautious man, who is anxious at all times and
under all circumstances to that justice done.
Judge Boteler, the pardon clerk at the Depart
friend OF Judge Hoge, said: at Is one OF the best
things the President has done John Hoge is one
most acceptably. He was for nine years Judge
OF the Circuit Court OF West Virginia, preced-
ing Senator Faulkner, who was his part.
in Congress before Mr. Wilson, and since then
mas resided In this city, engaged in large prac-
tice OF law. 1t can well be called a District ap.
pointment and good one, too He Is man OF
undoubted ability, and his private character Is
unimpeached ana unimpeachabe. He is about
sixty five years old am Older than that though,
and down home in West Virginia they call Inc a
young man." he added, laughingly.
The news OF the nomination of Judge Hoge
spread rapidly. and in the vicinity OF the city Hall
1t the leading topic OF conversation this after
noon. Among some OF the members OF the District
bar the fact that be was not an old District citizen
was not relshed, and this was freely commented
upon. Some OF them, however, stated that 1t was
not more than they expected.
Mr.. Lawrence Gardner, the president OF the
Columbia Democratic Club, said:
~ am not personally acquainted with Mr.. Ross,
and know nothing about him. except what have
heard since his name has been mentioned in con-
nection with the city poSt-ofic. He is, however,
citizen OF the District, and am a firm believer In
the principle OF District men for District Offices.
hope thut he viii prove 70 be an etlicent m len Officer
resident OF the District, still, understand IL,
the principle above referred TO was not intended
TO apply TO the judicial appointments OF the Dis
trict."
The City Postmaster.
Though many members OF the bar were dis
appointed because the appointment OF District
attorney had not gone to some one closely con-
nected with the District bar, they were consoled
somewhat by the fact that the other plum knocked
on the Administration tree to-day fell into the
hands OF one OF their number. Mr.. John W. Ross,
COnger as postmaster OF the city, is a well-known
member OF the bar. He Is tall gentle
man with a good figure. face with a fresh color,
set Off with q closely-cpped mouStache.
He is quiet and conservative In manner and speech.
He came from Lewiston, Fuilen County, Ill, and
is about forty-ve years OF age. His father served
Mr. Ross came here In June, 1870 TO be married.
He welded then the daughter OF Mr.. Franklin
Tenney, the proprietor OF the National hotel In
city, and has since made his home here. When In
Illinois he attained some prominence as a lawyer,
and served two terms IN the state lgs
successfully during the seventeen years he has re-
sided In this city. He is professor In the George
town University law school and has been for sew
eral years member OF the school board. He is at
present president or the board He makes his
home with his family, his wife and four children,
at the National Hotel. The Office to which he has
been appointed Is OF the best In the District IL
pays salary OF $1,000 year.
The New Fish Commissioner.
Col Mcdonald, the new Fish Commissioner, has
been connected with the Fish Commission work
for many years. He was one OF Prof. Baird's chief
assistants and had special charge OF the dstribu-
tion OF fish. He has been engaged largely In the
work OF shad propagation and had charge OF the
cent experiments in cod culture. His appointment
is gratifying to the scientists connected with the
Commission, who think that under his adminiStra-
ttOn the policy and methods originated under Prof
Baird will be adhered to-
SEvELLON BROWN RETIRES.
Succeeded as Chief Clerk OF the State
Department by Mr.. J. Fenner Lee.
Mr.. Sevellon A. Brown to-day rendered his res
ignation as chief clerk Of the State Department
to Secretary Bayard, to take eject thirty days
from date Mr.. Brown will be allowed the remain
ing time as a leave OF absence, but will be sue
ceeded from to-day by Mr.. ]. Fenner Lee secretary
OF the o. s. legation at Vienna who is at present
in Washington on leave OF absence from his for
eign post OF duty. 1t was expected that upon the