Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-23
MIR. wEBB's NOMINATION.
Protest Of the Republican Invincibles
Against its Confirmation by the Senate.

The Republican invincibles, Of this city, have
adopted statement of their views concerning
the nomination of Mr.. Webb to succeed him
self as District Commissioner. Copies of this
statement were to-day sent in the form Of a pro-
test to the republican members Of the Senate
with brief letter from DR.. E. A. Adams, presi-
dent of the club, calling attention to the con-
tents OF the paper. Following is the text of
the statement:
JANUARY %, 1889.
To the Honorable Republican Senator's of the
United States:
The Republican invincibles Of the city of
Washington, in regular meeting assembled. do
hereby most earnestly and respectfully protest
against the confirmation Of the nomination of
VIM. b. Webb as q Commissioner Of the Dis
trlct OF Columbia for q second term, and we
place our protest upon the following grounds:
First. Because we are satisfied that such
nomination is against the will Of large ma
iority OF the people Of the District Of Colum-
bia.
Second. Because in defiance of this we'll
known sentiment the President made the ap-
pointment arbitrarily and in unnecessary haste;
denying the people Of the District an opportu-
nifty to be heard as to their wishes and upon the
merits of the appointment, and declining to
consider petitions expressive Of the peoples
will upon the subject.
Third. Because as the board is now consti-
tuted, and will be if Mr.. Webb should be con-
hrmed, more than one-half Of the District in
population, wealth and territory is practically
unrepresented thereon-all the members of the
present board being residents Of q section en-
braced in the northwestern part Of the city,
west Of 18th street, instead OF being distributed
whole people and all sections Of the District Of
Columbia justly and fairly. And in this con-
nection we submit that the force OF this branch
Of our protest is well illustrated by the fact
that Congress during the existence Of the pres
emit board, of which Mr.. Webb il the nominal
head. in order to secure just and proper APP
plication Of the public moneys to the improve
ment OF certain streets, or avenues. remote
from that portion of the city where the mem
bers of the present board reside, has been COM
PEELED to direct and control the same by specific
legislation.
Fourth. Because we deem the re-appoint-
ment of Mr.. Webb to this important office to
be now singularly unfit, when at this time IL is
well known to the President and all in author
ity that he is, in his official capacity, under
going an investigation by Congress for gross
abuses If not offenses-connected with the
disbursement Of the public moneys Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia in the purchase of sites for
school-houses therein, and Of which transac-
lions sufficient is already known, whatever may
be the result Of the congressional investigation
to show that the public interests will be much
safer for the next four years in the hands of
some one better adapted to the duties of an
executive Office.
Fifth. Because we regard this action on the
part of President Cleveland as an attempt to
forestall an appointment which belongs pecu-
liarly to the incoming republican administra-
ton, and as at no time during his administra-
ton Of the Office he now holds has Mr.. Webb
developed or demonstrated that he was re-
publican or in sympathy with that party to
which he was appointed to be Commissioner,
we respectfully submit to q republican Senate
the request that instead Of such an inheritance
from q democratic administration, the republi-
cans Of this District may be favored by the an
pointment Of pronounced republican to sue
coed Mr.. Webb made by pronounced repub-
lican administration and based upon the will
Of the people.