Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-14
FOR DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.
Some Of the Candidates Who Are In the
Field.

wHsss succxssoR MAY Be cHosHN-sKxrcHxs
or MEN WHOSE NAMES HAVE BEEN on WILL BE
rR1sxNTED 10 THE PRESIDENT.
II IL expected that the President win some
time this month nominate citizen Of the Dis
trict to succeed Mr.. Webb a. Commissioner Of
the District According to usage, the selection
VIII be made rom among persons Of republican
faith and antscedents. The names Of many
men have been mentioned in the gossip, and .
number have already been presented to the
President. Az stated In yesterdays SrAR, the
names Of Geo. Francis Dawson, ex-Representa-
tive Hazleton and John II. Crane have gone to
the President, and the papers in their cases
are now under confederation by the President.
Thomas Somerville, VIM. Oscar Roome, Silas
O: Clark and Jos. @. Rock are among those in
whose interests II is expected delegations will
soon visit the White House.
THOMAS soMERvrLLE.
Mr.. Thomas Somerville, the well-known
brass founder, is urged as Q candidate by many
prominent business men. Mr.. Somerville's
sturdy figure and strong Scotch face, with its
crisp curling iron gray hair and beard, are
familiar to all Washingtonians.
Mr.. Somerville has lived in Washington since
April, 1861, and has come to be known as one
OF the leading business men here He is a
native OF Scotland. and he learned there the
trade OF brass finisher before coming to this
country, in 1853. He first located in New York,
but removed to Baltimore in 1856. At the out
whom his strong Union sentiment was objec-
uonaole that he would be given twenty-four
years to leave the city, and he came to Wash
ington. His first employment here
was as foreman of the ordnance
seop 81 .,, the e,c hayward In 1858 be
himself as brass founder. His business
thrived and his establishment has become one
OF the most extensive of the kind in this part
OF the country. He has been identified with
many pubic movements here, served term on
board. He is director Of the Citizens Ma
tional bank, president Of the Equitable build
ing association and connected with several
other business institutions. He is prominent
In Masonic circles. He was member of the
executive committee in charge Of the recent
inaugural ceremonies and rendered efficient
service as chairman Of the committee on car
riages. Mr.. Somerville resides with his family
at 727 18th street.
GEORGE FRANCIS DAWSON.
Mr.. Geo. Francis Dawson, who is urged as q
candidate by members of the East Washington
Citizens association, is q resident of Capitol
Hill, and well-known citizen. He is about
ffty-fve years old, but has the clear, healthy
complexion Of an Englishman who keeps him
self in good condition. He is Of medium
height and inclined to be stout. His hair
moustache and beard covering his chin are
grey, and he wears so constantly pair of gold
trimmed eyeglasses that they seem to be q
part Of his physiognomy. MIR. Dawson
is native Of the Island Of Jersey,
but he came to this country
when q boy. Going to California he studied
law there, but instead Of practicing entered
of
journalism. He came to Washington about
twenty years ago and has resided here since
then. He has held Office at the capitol as
librarian OF tie Senate, assistant clerk Of the
House, and as clerk Of the House committee on
Congress: For several campaigns he has COM
piled and edited the campaign text book for
the national republican committee. Mr. Daw-
son has literary tastes and has published a
number of poetical and prose works. He
was Gen. Logans biographer. As an Eng
prominent member Of the Society Of st.
George.
GEORGE @. HAZELToN.
Mr.. George G. Hazelton, who is one Of the
prominent candidates for District Commits
sioner, and is urged by republicans in East
Washington, has resided here for some twelve
years. He served several terms in Congress,
representing the third district Of Wisconsin.
After his congressional service he settled here
permanently to practice law, purchasing res
idence No. IL street, which fronts Capitol
park, where he still resides Mrs. Hazelton is
beautiful woman and is justly proud Of her
two manly boys, the elder of whom is student
In Columbian university. Mr.. Hazelton dropped
his private business during the
presidential campaign and took the stump in
the west where he did efficient work. II he
fails to become District Commissioner his
friends say that he will certainly receive an
equally desirable Office at the hands of the new
administration. Mr.. HaZelton il about fifty
six years Of age, broad shouldered and active.
He wears grizZled chin whiskers and has an in
telligent face. He is credited with good bust
ness qualifications.
JOHN h. CRANE.
Mr.. John H. Crane, whose name was pre-
sented to the President yesterday as candi-
date for the District commissionership, is on
account Of his active interest in public affairs
one of the best-known citizens Of Washington.
A movement to secure his appointment as Dis
trict Commissioner was begun as soon as it was
known that Mr.. Harrison was elected, by friends
who admired the course Mr.. Crane had taken
in various public matters. He Is regarded as a
man OF high personal character with::br0d,
progressive views. Mr.. Crane is about sixty
years old, tall and spare, and wears full
gray beard. He Is native Of New
England, but has lived here for twenty
eight years. His home at present is
manhood he was active in the anti-slavery agi-
tation, and he has since his residence in the
District been active and prominent as q repub-
lican. Under Mayor Bowen he was a
commissioner of improvements, and under
Mayor Emory be held the place of water regis
ter. He has for many years been in business
as a commission merchant
JOS. c. ROCK.
Mr.. Jos. C. Rock, the chief clerk Of the en-
gineer department Of the District government,
is named by Mr.. Andrew Gleason and other
leaders among local republicans and property
holders as their candidate for the Commissioner
ship. He is q native Of Vermont, and an ex-
Union soldier; q graduate of the law depart
ment of Howard university, q republican,
and about forty-four years of age He has
served the municipal government in various
clerical positions during the past eighteen
years, and for the past thirteen years has been
the chief clerk Of the engineer department.
He has good executive abilities and has much
experience in the conduct Of the affairs Of the
District government.
WIN. OSCAR RooME.
Among the names that were mentioned as a
possible successor to Mr.. Webb when President
Cleveland was considering the question was
that OF Mr.. VIM. Oscar Roome, who has served
the District for many years as chief of the
special assessment division of the District gov
eminent. President Harrison will be asked to
consider Mr.. Roome's name.
He was born in New York, Of old Holland
Dutch stock. Mr.. Roome was one Of the members
OF company F, list regiment New York state
militia, which was the second regiment to leave
for the seat of war on the outhreak NJ The "A