National Republican., 1888-01-24
ANNOuNCED AZ LAST.
Tho New District Attorney and City
Postmaster.

President Cleveland yesterday set al
who will be postmaster and district attor-
ney OF this District, by sen ding to the SEN
ate the names OF the persons he had Sc
lected TO fill those positions. He named
John Blair Hoge to be attorney for the
United States In and for the District OF Co.
lumbia and John w. Ross to be city post.
master, each for the term Of four years.
Considerable surprise was expressed
among the attorneys, especially about the
court house, when the appointment OF Mr..
Hoge was announced, and very few seemed
to know him. The few who did spoke very
complimentary Of the gentleman, and
seemed to believe he would make n most
excellent prosecuting officer. From what
could be obtained OF his history 1t seems
that Mr.. Hoge was born at Richmond, Va,
Feb. 2, 1926. He early began the study Of
the law, and, in the year 1s45, was ad.
mitted to the bar. He was made president
Of the Bank Of Berkeley (Va.) In 1858, aud
afterwards was elected O member OF the Vir.
ginia house Of delegates, serving ss such
from 1855 to 1859. He was sent as dele
gate to the Democratic conventions at Bal
timore and Charleston In 1860, afterwards
taking conspicuous part In the war OF the
rebellion as q confederate officer. After
peace was declared he was engaged for
some time as journalist, but later
resumed the practice Of his profession
as lawyer in West Virginia and also played
an active part in the politics Of that state.
He was member OF the state constitutional
Committee from 1872 to 1876, and served as
judge Of the third judicial circuit Of the
state. He resigned the last Office In August,
1850, and In the fall Of the same year was
elected to the eforty.seventh Congress. Mr.
Hoge has since made Washington his home
and continued his practice, but appeared
chiefly before the different departments,
prosecuting claims. The selection OF Mr..
Hoge was not decided upon until last Sat-
urday night, when he was sent for by the
President and the subject was discussed
between them.
THE NEW CITY POSTMASTER.
The gentleman who has been nominated
for the position OF city postmaster is we'll
known In this community, especially among
the attorneys and business men, and his
selection is regarded in every sense as a
District appointment. Mr.. John w. Ross
was born In Lewiston, ILL.,, and is now AZ
years Of age. He has resided In the District
| for the past seventeen years, and has at
tanned considerable prominence as a lawyer.
| He is a professor In the Georgetown Uni
| versity law school and president Of the
school board. He has mingled quite
freely in the politics Of Virginia and
other states, and was twice elected to
the Illinois legislature. In 1870 he married
the daughter of Mr.. Franklin Tenney, of
the National Hotel, and at present resides
with his family at that house. He lisa cour-
teous, affable gentleman, with many friends,
and is now likely to have many more. Mr..
Ross is a pushing, energetic, go.ahead kind
Of man, and II anything can be done to pro.
mote the efficiency Of the local postal SER
vice he will be likely to discover the fact
and make the requisite improvement.