New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-16
THE DISTRICT coMM1ss1oNERsHIps:

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PRESIDENTS DECLARATIONS.
Washington, March Is CSpeciaD.-There is pretty
lively contest over the District CommissonershIps
The term Of william 3. Webb expired in February and
no was rcnomnsted, but the Senate refused to confirm
him as tho Republican member Of the board, owing
largely To the opposition Of active and influential Re-
publlcans who do not approve the sort OF Republican
who is obliged TO obtain Democratic certificates that
he Is member of the Republican party The term
Of Samuel f. Wheatley, tho Democratic Commissioner,
will expire on March 90. There is no doubt that he
Is loyal Democrat for during his incumbcney nearly
EVERY officer end employe OF The District Government
who Is Republican has been dismissed or forced 10
resign and the places have been given 10 Democrats
solely because they DemOcEats And yet Mr. wheat
Icy is not popular among the majority of the members
OF bis own party, and largo majority OF the tax
payers would be glad to see him, as well as Mr.
Webb, superseded by freer from the influence Of
ciques and rings and more thoroughly devoted TO The
Interests Of the whole DISTRICT Irrespective Of per
sonal considerations, the great body of Republicans
who i've in this District are chiefly because
they do not want President Harrson's Administration
TO be smrched as Ceveland's by the diversion of
public funds from their legitimate uses for the bene
III OF official and private SPECTATORS. Whatever
ground thero may be for tho belief it IS
almost universally held by the residents Of this
Dlstricb that the acquisition of "Red Top by Mr..
Cleveland was the nucleus OF a grand speculative
scheme BY which certain officials Of his Administration
as Wen rs some fortunate private individuals proHtsd
at the expense Of the taxpayers and the General
Government, which pays half the expenses Of the
District. The manner In which the public interests
were subornRted 20 that scheme was fully described
In The Tribune moro than three years ago, but this
exposure did not lead to fits abandonment and the
scheme finally assumed the proportions OF q scandal
which seriously affected Mr.. Cleveands Admins
tration. To party Of gentlemen who visited him
several days ago in behalf OF Of the candidates
for District Commissioner President Harrison took
occasion 10 say that he would appoint no man who
was the representative of ring" OF any sort, q
declaration which meets with the hearty approval Of
every resident and taxpayer In the District With few
exceptions There Is no necessity for the appoint
ment Of such 4 man. There arc scores OF men I'm
Washington, both Republicans and Democrats, who
are In every way qualified for the once, who
free from business and other entanglements which
might unduly influence thor official action; men
whose appointment would be regarded q pledge
Of honest and impartial administration. Some Of these
have not lived in the District moro than quarter
OF a century, but they are bons-hdo residents and
taxpayers, whose homes aud interests here, and
IL Is not probable that President Harrison will decline
20 recognize District man" anybody who not
born aud raised here and who docs not long for the
good old tmes whom open sewers and unpayed streets
tho rule, and pigs, goats and geese roanned at
viii through every street.