, 1889-10-10
CAPTAIN SYMONS.
His Transfer From the District OF
Columbia to the Pacific
Northwest.
Expressions of Regret From the
District Commissioners and
Business Men.

HlllluIN engineering ucpuItlhcHV nus
been transferred from the District of Co.
lumbiu TO the Pacific Northwest. He
has large property interests in Spokane
Falls and is well known nnT popular
throughout this section. While sympn-
thizing with the people of Washington
city on account of the loss sustained by
his removal, tho people of the state OF
Washington and the entire Pacific coast
and slope are entitled to congratula-
tions, and lac may feel assured of a cor
dial welcome.
Concerning the change, the evening
Stur of Washington, ID. o., editorially
says:
Captain Symons is intelligent .ener-
gctic and efficient. Not being inlalllble,
he has perhaps made errors of Judgment
in his decisions upon some questions.
As the requirements of his position have
compelled him frequently to choose be-
tween conflicting local interests ana dls-
appoint somebody, ho has not entirely
escaped criticism, AID nobody IN lls
place cOuli uo so. But the community
generally u more than satisfied with his
services and will regret bis transfer TO
another post of duty.
Under the heading, "Sorry to Lose
From the District CommiS Ssioners and
Business Men," the Evening star has
tho following:
There was gloom about the district
building to-day, and Captain Symons
room was the scene of many expressions
OF regret OH account of his being relieved
as assistant To the engineer commits
sioncr. Captain SymOns Is great
friend of all OF the clerks in the engineer
department and little groups OF men
could be seen around the DuildinE dis
cuSsing tho subject. All day long prom.
inent business men and citizens called
and expressed their regret that the dis
trict was going To lose 50 valuable mall'
WHAT THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS SAY.
Commissioners lIinc and Douglas both
said that they considered Captain sym
ons Il valuable officer. Personally speak
ing, they said, lie Wasa courteous gentle
man, and taking all in all, well htted
for the position he now is about To
give up.
Major Raymond said: Personally
speaking, ! am very sorry TO lose Cap
tain SymOns, as my association with
him has always been very pleasant and
| regard linn as very efficient officer.
Ills rank and service, however cntitle
him to u more important position than
that of assistant to the engineer COM
missioner.
HOPES THE ORDER WILL DE REVOKED.
Mr.. u. ii. Warner, in conversation
with S.ar reporter upon the removal of
Captain SymOns, said! 81 regard the
urtier as most unfortunate for tie inter
ests OF the district as well us the general
government. Captain SymOns has had
| large experience and has taken peculiar
pains to inform himself regarding the
needs of the capital city. his ideas are
broad enough TO prevent obstacles from
standing in the way of public improve
mcnts and to lead him to the develop
ment of new projects Tor the interests Of
| the community.
I 81 regard our form of government as
| the bCst means of controlling city affairs
| known. The unfortunate feature about
II is that as soon as an army officer
| becomes thoroughly informed and inter
oStct he u ordered away. 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 kuoWl-
/ edge of the president. | sincerely hope
/ IL may be revoked
WHAT OTHER CITIZENS SAY.
| q. &. Green said; ~ was very
much astonished to hear OF the removal
| OF Captain Symons, and | think tnat it
/ isa very serious matter to the District of
D plNtliltltt W NlitNE' illlll Nv NlllA IidlNlt-
/ ular time after his becoming 80 familiar
/ with all the Improvements that are
going on, and since rely hope the prcsi-
dCnt may Interfere
/ II. +. Wuygaman said: "I think Cap
| tain SymOns tho most coupetcnt man
the district has ever had. lie has just
[ gotten everything in shape and knows
/ ucttcr than any Ouc else the needs Oithc
district. ! think the citizens should
/ hold q meeting and appoint u committee
/ To call upon the secretary OF war aud
get him to rescind the order"
4. l.. IIolbrook said; "As n con-
tractor have nothing TO say, but as IL
citizen OF the district must say that
/ consider him 4 most efficient oilcer.'
Simon Wolf said: II have known
/ Captain Symous for some time, and con-
slider him an able officer, u courteous
| gentleman and one of the best men the
district las ever had.
| Thouas ". Smith said he had hoped
that the president would appoint Cap
/ tain Symons to succeed Major lay
| mond. To relieve Captain Synou- at
this time Is Il serious drawback to the
district.
/ A TAIE WITH CAPTAIN sYMoNs,
In sreaking with Captain Symons
upon the subject OF his transfer he said
to II Star reporter;
"Of COUr.e | am exceedingly sorry to
| leave Washington, where have so many
/ dear friends and acquaintance but
changes are 10 be expected in army life
/ and | suppose the authorities think tho
best interests of the service will he sub
served by the change. As 1t seems
| have 10 go | very glad indeed to go
to Portland, which Is u beautiful city
ana hIll of many charming people and
where have many dear friends whom |
shall be glad to meet again.
"Besides have quite large property
interests in Washington territory, and
| Portland will be Il very convenient place
for me to look after them. ! am busy
with my annual report now and IL will
take some little time to finish up things
so that | can turn clean slate
over to my successor. However /
expect to got of in Il short time"
nE WILL NOT DE A "HICKER."
"Will you make any efforts to re
inain?'
mo. ] shall make no effort to have
the order changed. | never questioned
an order vet, and shall not commence
NO. ! have had 10 much too do with
kirkcrA during my connection with the
district government TO want to be placed
among them.
II have nothing fnrther to say" con-
tinued the captain, except that | have
ii have done so TO the satisfaction OF
the citizens of Washington l am very
glad"
GENERAL CASEY SAYS IT'S PROMOTION.
A Star reporter called on General
Casey this morning in the hope that lie
might throw light on the matter The