Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-09

An order is being prepared at the War De-
partment today relieving Col. Robert, corps of
engineers, from duty as Engineer Commissioner
OF the District of Columbia, and it is likely
that in few days there will be a new member
OF the board. This action has been taken en-
tlrely at the request of Col. Robert himself,
who has been in poor health ever since his pro-
longed illness of several months ago.
1t is understood that the request for relief
has been before Secretary Proctor for some
days. but that action has been withheld until a
suitable officer Of engineers could be found to
take the colonels place at the District building
The Secretary is anxious to make selection
that will be a credit to his administration Of
the War Department so soon to end, and thus
he has canvassed the corps pretty thoroughly
in his search for man of executive
ability and good presence whose influence on
the board would be for the best interests of the
city and the country as well.
He has consented to Col. Roberts relief re-
luctantly, for he has been very well pleased
with his conduct of the affairs Of his Office
but it was made apparent to him that
the colonels health was being sacrificed by his
continued attention to the vas, number of de-
tails Of the work he had in han I.
WHAT COL ROBERT SAYS.
Col Robert did not seem surprised when a
reporter of The STAR informed him that it was
understood that he was about to be relieved. In
reply to question fo- the facts in the case he
said: 1T would not be proper
in me as an army officer to say anything on
the subject. All conversations between army
officers and their superiors should be strictly
confidential, and while | do not deny
the statement / do not feel at liberty
either to affirm discuss IT, will say, however,
that since have been Engineer Commissioner
L have done my utmost to divorce the en-
gineer corps of the army from this local gov
ernment. II hurts the corps in more ways than
one. Many people of the impression that
the engineer officers who are detailed here
are those for which the government has no
need. This is a mistake, as know the govern
mental works throughout the country are
suffering for want OF proper attention. An
Engineer Commissioner is not needed here"
THE TEXT OF THE ORDER.
The order relieving Col Robert reads as fol-
lows: by direction of the President Lieut..
Col. Henry NJ. Robert, corps OF engineers, is
relieved from his duty as Commissioner of the
District of Columbia; and, IL conformity with
the provisions of section two of the act OF Con-
gress approved June IL, 1878. entitled IAN act
providing a permanent form Of govern
ment for the District OF Columbia, and
joint resolution No. z, nfty-first congress, sec
ond session, Capt. Vim. L. Hossel, corps of en-
gineers, Is detailed one OF the Commission
ers OF the District OF Columbia provided for in
the act and will enter upon his duty accord
ingly as soon as practicable.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert will proceed to
Nashville, Tenn, where he viii take station
and relieve Lieutenant Colonel john I.
barlow harlow corps OF engineers OF the
Ing thus relieved Lieutenant Colonel
barlow will remain at Nashville until he re-
ceives the instr lions OF the Secretary of State
to whom he has been directed toreport"
hEDFIELD PEoCToR, secretary OF War.
Col. Barlow was some lime ago detailed as a
member OF the Mexican boundary commission.
CAPT. RossELLs CAREER.
Capt. Rossell, who is ordered to duty as En-
gineer Commissioner, Las been for some
months detailed as an assistant il Col. Roberts
dc apartment al the District buildings. His
record has been an excellent one and the pro-
motion Is Thought TO be Well deserved by his
associates III The engineer corps.
Heretofore the Engineer Commissioner has
had no less than the rank OF MAJOR in his own
corps, those who have occupied the office
DeihS SiaJ'- A"ihi"b, Il. ueShei' LuoAo",
Raymond and Robert. The organic act
placed limit on the detail, but the joint res
luton referred to IL the order provides that
the Commissioner MAY be detailed from among
the captains OF officers oil higher rank in the
corps.
CAPT. RossELL SURPASSED.
Ca t. Hossoll, when told of the action Of the
President in lisving Col. Robert, said:
1T is the biggest surprise ever had, and am
very sorry to hear that the colonel is going to
Lave