Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-12
MR.. wEBBs NOMINATION.
Efforts For and Against His Confirrna
ton.

| GOn.
Many warm personal friends of Commissioner
| Webb. who have been drawn to him by his
amable and estimable qualities. are exerting
themselves strenuously to secure the con-
hrmation OF his nomination for another
term. He has an ardent support from q
portion of the "west End" and he has
the influential backing of some powerful
corporations, whose attorneys and agents are
working every wire in their vast webs in
his behalf. He has also the support of many
prominent democrats. who think that if he is
confirmed as a republican Commissioner, and
they can get Mr.. Wheatley or another practi-
cal politician appointed as the democratic Com
missioner they can keep the grip upon the
| District buildings they now have.
OPPOSITION TO MR.. wEBB's CONFIRMATION
comes from Central and East Washington, on
the ground that his official action and that of
the board is all in sympathy with West End in
terests, and is steadily adverse to the other
sections OF the city. The complaint il made that
| In all the vast area of East Washington there is
scarce street that is not a quagmire in the
| winter months, and that to get any improve
| ments whatever the citizens have to go to Con-
gress and procure legislation compelling the
commissioners to improve specified streets in
| that quarter
| South Washington asserts that the Commits
sioners are wholly subservient to the railroad
octopus that blights that part of the city, nvades
churches and school buildings, destroys property
| and endangers life, with cool disregard of the
| rights OF the people injured. South Washington
| also complains that the Commissioners do not
enforce the laws against this powerful corpo-
ration as against private individuals, and that
| the railroad is permitted to disregard with
| lmpunity the laws concerning speed of trains,
guarding of grade crossings, and the occupa-
ton and obstruction of the public streets.
| Central Washington has grievances, such as
| the failure to secure a decent pavement ON SO
prominent a street as Az, even after the appro-
| priation had been made for the work, and the
| street remains disgrace to the city, covered
with rough boulders and cobblestones, and q
terror TO all would-be passengers. 1t Is asserted
| that the only improvement made in this part
| OF the city lately is the fine asphalt pavement
and handsome parking in front of Mr.. Wheat
ley's new houses on Indiana avenue.
memorial from citizens in that section of
the city has the following paragraph:
80. The central and eastern portions of the Dis
trict are entitled to representation upon the board
of Commissioners, and MIR. Webb is believed to
proof OF which We refer to the case of AZ street
from pennsylvania avenue to the city hall, for the
paving of which the propertyowners in that vicis-
ity procured an appropriation at the last session
of Congress, which appropriation Mr.. Webb re-
fused TO expend on that street, but directed the
money to other and more favored sections of the
city"
But the most determined opposition to Mr..
Webb's confirmation comes from the District
republicans. They utterly repudiate him a
representative of that party in the board Of
Commissioners. They assert that never during
his official career has he given "a single sign of
his sympathy with the republican cause. That
ON the contrary, his whole action has been in
the line of aiding Mr.. Cleveland's reelection,
and that the Presidents extraordinary act of
reappointng Mr.. Webb--the first time that
HAL &c.
term-was i'll recognition of his services in this
direction. They say that during Mr.. Webb's
term he has worked shoulder to shoulder with
Commissioner Wheatley in the project of con-
verting the District administration in all its
branches into a straightout democratic party
machine; that this project has been carried
out SO efectuslly that nine-tenths Of the Dis
trict employees are now democrats.
A REPUBLICAN PROTEST.
The following is one Of the indictments
drawn up by the republicans:
"a glance at the several departments Of the Dis
trct government shows conclusively that under
Commissioner Webb decidedly partisan admin
istration has been introduced.
First-The Inspector of Buildings Thos. b. Emit
wistle, the father-in-law of Marshal Wilson, is a
democrat
Second-The Superintendent Of Police Major
Dye, a republican, was dismissed to make room
another democrat was appointed in his place.
Third-The Assessor. Robt. p. Dodge, a Union
officer, died and Kos A. Fish, democrat, was ap-
pointed to succeed him.
Fourth-The Collector, John F. Cook, a republi-
can and the only cOlored man holding position Of
any prominence under the District government,
and who had given exceptional satisfaction to the
citizens generally, was dismissed to make room
far a democrat
Official of hrst-class ability, republican and a
soldier with excellent record in the Union army
dismissed 10 make room for a democrat.
Sixth-The superintendent Of the fire depart
ment, Martin Cronin, a republican, was removed
and Joseph Paris, democrat, was appointed in
his place.
Seventh-The assistant attorney, who performs
most of the duties of that ONCE, was Francis Mil
Ter, republican, and his resignation pro-
cured and Mr.. Harry E. Davis, a democrat was
appointed in his place Mr.. Davis is now engaged
in defending Commissioner Webb before a COM
mttee of congress appointed 10 investigate charges
in connection with the purchase of sites for school
buildings.
Eighth-The sealer Of Weights and Measures,
James Small, republican, was dismissed to make
room for a democrat.
Ninth-The Superintendent of Streets, John j.
Burrows, republican, was dismissed to make
room for a democrat.
Tenth-The Food Inspector, W. A. Short, and
several other republicans in the health office,
dismissed to make room for democrats
Eleventh-The Flour Inspector, George Seitz a
republican, was dismissed to make room for a
democrat
Twelfth-The Market Masters, CLAYTON II. Buell.
S. d. Newcomb and John Beale, republicans, were
removed to make room for democrats.
Thirteenth-Ihe Water ONCE reformed
ana Mr.. Bell, democrat, was placed at the head
of it.
Fourteenth-A. j. Marsh, an efficient clerk-a
repu blican-a brave Union soldier, who raised
company and served as captain in the 49th New
York infantry, and was disabled in that service,
was removed TO make place for democrat.
Fnteenth-The "Civil Service" rules have not
been applied to the District government and the
subordinate appointments in the main have been
in line with those Of the chiefs.
Now the republicans have not asked for the re-
appointment of Mr.. Webb, but on the other hand
they protest against it, and they claim that IL
would have been only fair and courteous on the
part of President Cleveland to have followed the
example Of President Arthur and left the appoint
ment of the District Commissioners to his sue
cessOr.
As he has not seen fit to do so they look to the
Senate for redress"
WHAT THE REPUBLICANS SAY.
The republicans assert that the denomination
Of Commissioner Webb is part of the plan of
democratic syndicate or combine" headed
by Marshal Wilson, and which is designed,
through this precedent, to secure the reap
pointment of Commissioner Wheatley also,
and thereby the retention of the District gov
eminent in democratic hands throughout Pres
ident Harrisons term, in compact organization
for the next presidential contest. To this
adroit little plan the republicans decidedly OBJ
ject They say if the democrats are willing to
accept Mr.. Webb as their representative in the
board OF Commissioners and allow President
Harrison to appoint the republican representa-
tive, all right; but they don't propose to have
Marshal Wilson or President Cleveland dictate
who shall be the republican Commissioner and
Mr. Wahh 10 Cd xhax, Al.