Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-29
Mr.. Lewis CleDhane.

Within day or two there has been a report
afoat that there was considerable probability
Of the appointment of Mr.. Lewis Clephane to
be District Commissioner in place Of Mr. Webb.
Mr.. Clephane has not been a candidate for the
place, and consequently no boom has been
worked up in his behalf, but the suggestion
OF his appointment seems to meet with no
little favor.
Mr.. Clephane is sixty-three years of age, a
son OF the late Jas. Clephane, who came here
from Scotland shortly after the war of 1912.
He was born on G street, and his education
was principally under Chas. Strahan, in what
was then the Western public school at the cor
ner OF 14th and G streets northwest In 1S47
he became associated with DR.. Gamaliel Bailey
in the publication of the National Era as
its business manager and continued with that
paper till it ceased publication in 1859, during
which time the anti-slavery doctrines of the
paper and Of all concerned in it were very un-
popular. When the Office of that paper was
mobbed Mr.. Clephane came near being Sc
riously injured, because he pluckily attempted
to prevent the destruction Of the type and ma
terial.
In 1856 with twenty-five others, including
Maj r Richards, d. R. Goodloe, VIM. Ockstadt
and two or three others still living, he assisted
in the formation Of the first republican associa-
ton in this section of the country. That year,
in connection with Hon. Isreal Washburne and
DR.. Bailey, he issued call for the first national
republican convention, held at Pittsburg, and
was delegate thereto. After the death of the
Era on NSve% Wm R.noh lSsp Mr.
ton Buell. and William J. Murtagh,
established the National Republican, he being
the business manager, which position he held
for about two years, although in 1861 President
Lincoln appointed him city postmaster. This
position he held for two years and then resigned
at the urgent request Of Secretary Chase to ac-
cept the collectorship of internal revenue for
this district. He held this position
for seven years. During the litigation
over the Washington and Alexandria
railroad, he was appointed receiver by the
Before this he had, in 1865, been elected to the
board Of aldermen, succeeding the late Thos.
j. Fisher and being the first republican elected
to that body. He was one of the committee of
One Hundred which advocated change in the
form of government in this District, and whose
efforts resulted in the passage of the territorial
act of February 81, 1871. He was for a time
collector of the District, but resigned to en-
gage in private business.
He has all through life been attached to the
Presbyterian church, and is now a trustee OF
the New York avenue church. At present he is
president Of the national savings bank, presi-
dent of the Virginia brick company,
secretary of the homeopathic hospital,
and is engaged in numerous other
business and charitable organizations.
He was a member of the Young Mems Repub-
lican club, when that organization was in ex-
istence, a member of the Towpath club, and is
now one of the officers of the republican league.
He has always been philosophical citizen,
ready to promote any measure which would re-
dound to the credit of the city of Washington.
He has business capacity Of high order, is
of unquestioned integrity, possesses broad and
progressive views, and would carry TO the duties
of Commissioner a thorough knowledge of the
nacasSifias Of tho District