Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-21
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.
Messrs. Douglass and Hine are Sworn II
To day and Enter Upon Their Duties.

The new District Commissioners were form.
ally inducted into Office at noon to-day. The
ceremony, which was informal took place a,
noon at the District buildings in what is known
as the board room-the room with the bay win.
dow In front, where the Commissioners hold
their sittings around a big table. The time of
the retiring Commissioners was taken I'D dur
ing the morning with leave-takings, and with
ielsurely cleaning out the pigeon holesrand
drawers OF their desks, making them ready for
their successors
Both Messrs. Wheatley and Webb held quite
reception. Mr.. Wheatley, for the first time
IN his official career, appeared at his desk wear
ing outtonhole bouquet. As a token OF his
friendship at parting officially, Mr.. Wheatlev
presented Auditor Petty with a scarf-pin. and a
similar memento to Mr.. Dan Curry, clerk in
the commissioners Office. Among the letters
Mr. Wheatley received was one from Intendant
Stoutenburgh of the Washington asylum, ex-
pressing gratitude for kindness shown him.
The employees at the District building came TO
the Commissioners office about 1880 O'Clock.
and said goodbye. Mr.. Wheatley who seemed
to be in a merry mood, had word to saw and
parting joke for nearly every one.
ARRIVAL OF MEssRs. DOUGLASS AND HrNE.
MIR. Douglass arrived at the building at about
quarter to II o'clock. He was accompanied by
MIR. II. b. Mcfarland. He had a little bunch
OF Pansies in his button-hole. He entered Mr..
"ebbs room and was greeted by that gentle
man. Here's your seat" Mr. Webb said.
pointing to the revolving chair he has oc,
cupled, sit down and see how you feel ~
MI. douglass sat down a moment. and then
went with Mr.. Webb to meet Mr.. Wheatley in
the adjoining room. Meanwhile the Commits
sloners office rooms began filling up with Dis
trlct officials who had been assembled to meet
their new superiors. Major Raymond came in
from his room and joined in the conversation.
Maj. Raymond said jokingly that the reason
his scalp had not been taken was that no one
could hnd enough of it to get hold of. He
pointed to the full heads of hair of Messrs.
WepD and Wheatley, and then rubbed his hand
thoughtfully over the bare top of his own head.
Mr.. Hlne, Mr.. Douglass colleague, arrived
at the building at noon. There were more in
Productions, and then the two new Commits
sioners, the two old Commissioners DR.. Tin
the others present as could crowd in, went into
the board room.
TAKING THE OATH.
DIR. Tindall bore Bible in his hand, and
the two new Commissioners, standing at the
head of the long table, placed their hands on
1t. Then DIR. Tindall repeated the oath.
Messrs Douglass and Hine kissed the book,
and they thus became duly qualified Commits
sioners. At Mr.. Webb's suggestion the room
was cleared and
THE NEW BOARD HELD MEETING.
They we're in consultation about three quar-
tiers of an hour. Mr.. Douglass was elected
president OF the board and an order was passed
to hold meeting every day, beginning at two
o'clock.
The only other thing done, at least so far as
the new Commissioners made known to the
reporters, was TO sign orders for two persons
to go to the insane asylum. Mr.. Hine told a
STAR reporter that the matter of the
DISTRIBUTION OF DUTIES
among the Commissioners would probably be
discussed tomorrow.
Messrs. Webb and Wheatley waited until the
board session was over, and then had further
talk with their successors. MIR. Wheat
ley took from his vest lapel the
gold pin or badge of Office
he wore and pinned it on Mr.. Hines
vest and then showed Mr.. Hine to his
old seat. The old Commissioners remained
some time showing their successors some
things about the details of work and
introducing subordinates who came to pay
their respects. They left about 1:30 O'Clock,
and the new Commissioners entered at once
upon the routine of business,
THE FIRST OFFICIAL PAPER SIGNED
being requisition for 5000 for the permit
fund. Messrs. John w. Thompson, Henry
Hurt. Thos. w. Smith and other citizens called
to pay their respects. Senator Higgins, of
Delaware, was a visitor and remained some
time.
The new Commissioners filed their bonds in
$1,000 each with the first controller yesterday
The sureties for Mr.. Hine are Messrs Jesse d.
Wilson, James l.. Norris, Alexander T. Britton,
George Il. Dunlop, and John E. Herrell, and
on MIR. Douglass bond appear the names of
William s. Thompson, F. A. Schneider, VIM. E.
Abbott, Joseph E. Gawler, and Jonathan s.
Smith.