Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-28
SORRY To LOSE CAPT. SYMONs.
Expressions of Regret From tho District
Commissioners and Business Men.

oOhhf VO LOSE CAFI. SxMONS.
of Regret From tho District
Commissioners and Business Men.
There was gloom about the District building
today, and Capt Symons' room was the scene Of
many expressions of regret on account Of
his being relieved Is assistant to the
Engineer Commissioner. Capt Symons is
, great friend Of all Of the clerks in the
engineer department and little groups of men
could be seen around the building discussing
the subject. All day long prominent business
men and citizens called and expressed their
regret that the District was going to lose so
man.
WHAT THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS SAT-.
Commissioners Hine and Douglass both said
that they considered Capt symons valuable
officer. Personally speaking, they said be was
q courteous gentleman, and, taking all in all,
we'll fitted for the position he now is about to
give up.
Maj. Raymond said: Personally speaking
san am very sorry to lose Capt;
had always been very pleasant and I
regard him as a very efficient officer. His rank
and service, however, entitle him to a more
important position than that Of assistant to the
Engineer Commissioner"
HOPES THE ORDER WILL BE REVOKED.
Mr.. B. II. Warner, in conversation with q
STAR reporter upon the removal Of Capt.
Symons, said: 81 regard the order as most un-
for the interests of the District
as well as the general government.
Capt. Symons has had large experience
and has taken peculiar pains to inform him
self regarding the needs of the capital city.
His ideas are broad enough to prevent OBJ
stacles from standing in the way of public
and to lead him to the develop
ment of new projects for the interests of the
community.
Iregard our form of government as the best
means of controlling city affairs known. The
unfortunate feature about It is that as soon as
an army officer becomes thoroughly informed
and interested he is orderedaway. The doctrine
OF civil service does not seem to prevail in
case OF army officer appointments. presume
the order was made in the routine of business
without the knowledge of the President. /
hope it may be revoked"
WHAT OTHER CITIZENS SAT-.
Mr.. o. c. Green said: Il was very much as
tonished to hear OF the removal of Capt. Sy-
mons, and think that it is a very serious mat
tor to the District Of Columbia to change him at
this particular time after his becoming 30
familiar with all the improvements that are 60
ing on. and sincerely hope the President may
interfere"
Mr.. H. P. Waggaman said: 81 think Capt
Symons the most competent man the District
has ever had He has just gotten every
thing in shape and knows better than
any one else the needs of the District
think the citizens should hold meeting
and appoint committee to call upon the Sec
retary of War and get him to rescind the
order"
Mr.. T. L. Holbrook said: "As a contractor
have nothing to say, but as citizen Of the
District / must say that consider him a most
efficient officer"
MIR. Simon Wolf said: 81 have known Capt.
Symons for some time and consider him an
able officer, a courteous gentleman and one of
the best men the, District has ever had"
Mr.. Thomas W. Smith said he had hoped
that the President would appoint Capt. Symons
to succeed Maj Raymond. To relieve Capt.
Symons at this time is q serious DIR rawback to
the District
A Talk With Capt. Symons.
In speaking with Capt. Symons upon the
subject of his transfer he said to SrAB re
porter:
''Of course I am exceedingly sorry to leave
Washington, where have SO many dear friends,
and pleasant acquaintances. but changes are to
be expected in army life and I suppose
the authorities think that the best in
terests Of the service will be sub
served by the change. As it seems
| have to go / am very glad indeed to go to
Portland, which is a beautiful city and full of
charming people and where 7 have many dear
friends whom I shall be glad to meet again
Besides have quite large property inter-
ests in Washington territory, and Portland
will be very convenient place for me
to look after them. am busy
with my annual report now, and it will
take some little time TO finish up things so that
can turn clean slate over to my successor
However, expect to get off in q short time"
HE WILL NOT BE A "KIcKER."
"Wil you make any effort to renain?"
"NO. shall make no effort to have the order
changed. never questioned an order yet
and shall not commence now. have had
too much to do with kickers during my con-
nection with che District government to want
to be ciassed among them.
II have nothing further to say" continued
the captain, except that I have always en-
deavored to do my duty, and if / have done SO
to the satisfaction of the citizens of Washing
ton am very glad"
Gen. Casey Says It's Promotion.
A STAR reporter called on Gen. Casey this
in the hope that he might throw
light on the matter. The general exclaimed,
with emphasis:
why is it that the public feel every time
noA ID oIoeTcu Tom Que uuty 70 AnOtner III
the service of the government that there is
IN implied reproach cast upon him? Why
,au't We, as officers Of the government, exer-
else our duties in our best judgment without
being asked why we do it? II was
necessary to relieve certain officer
rom duty on the Pacific coast and also to ali
his place with a man Of marked ability. Capt.
symons was the man we needed, and we
sent him there. II is compliment
10 him. recognition of his ability, a promo
.lon, for from being a subordinate, an assist
INT he is put in charge of an important dis
rict. Symons was needed somewhere else; he
had been here upwards of six years. and he was
ordered away. That's all. ~
CAPT. sYMoNs SUCCESSOR.
Capt. VIM. 7. Russell, who relieves Can't.
,f the Mississippi river from the mouth of the
White river to Warrenton for the purpose
of improvement and the construction
md repair Of levees, TO include the improve
nent OF the harbor at Vicksburg, Miss He ia
also a member of the board of engineer officers
,n the building and repair OF levees on
The Mississippi river. He is forty years of
sge, a native of Alabama and was ap-
pointed to the military academy from
New. Jersey in 1869, graduating
N 1873. He was in that year made a second
served at Willet's Point, N. Y, at the military
academy as assistant professor Of engineering,
n Florida as first lieutenant and in 1886 was put
n charge Of the third district OF the Missis-
'ippi with headquarters at Vicksburg. It will
DC some days or weeks before Capt. Symons
IAN arrange his work SO as to leave the city.
Report of Utah Commission.
John A. McClernand, member of the Utah
has sent In xha cnc-as.~,