New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-10
MINOR OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE.
THEIR IMPoRTANCE-THE EXCELLENT RECORDS
OF THE RETIRING oFFICERs-THE
NEW AppOINTFEc

OF THE RETIRING oFFICERs-THE
NEW APPoINTEEs.
Washington, Dec. (speciaD.-The officers OF the
last House OF Representatives who yesterday gave
way to Democratic successors deserve line OF com
mendation and praise for the fidelity and efficiency
with which they discharged their laborous and
sponsble duties. Few persons who are not members
of the House. daily observers of is proceedings,
realize the extent to which the proper admins ration
of the affairs Of this great, popular representative
assembly depends upon the character and ability, as
well as the tact of the men who styled its minor
oicers' The Office of Clerk has always been regarded
as one OF the highest importance and dignity, not only
because the incumbent prepares the roll Of mem
bers upon which the integrity OF the organization OF
each successive House largely depends and presdes
over the body until the Speaker is elected and in
stalled but because his certificate must be appended
TO every legislative act In order to make it valid until
it reaches the final stage and because all official tran
scripts Of records and proceedings must be attcsted by
him. He has also many other important duties to
perform.
The Clerk has been chosen for many years past
from among men who have previously been members
OF the House. Eac1 of the five men who have held
the Office since the organization Of the XXXVlth Con-
gress on July 4. 1861 had previously been Rep
resentative. Emerson Etheridge, who served from
July 4, 1861, to December Z, 1868, had been Rep
resentative from Tennessee In three previous Con-
succeeded him the latter date, had served as
Representative in two Congresses. Mr.. Mcpherson
yesterday completed his eighth term Of service Clerk
longer period than that of any Of his predecessors
There are few men living whose knowledge of legisla
tive and political history equals that Of Mr. McPher
son. and who surpasses him in that respect
His integrity, fairness and ability have been proof
even against the criticism OF his most violent and
abusive partisan opponents and his official admnisTa
ton will be the most perfect model which his sue
cesSor, who is also eX-Represenatve from Penn
sylvania, can hope 10 find from which to copy.
Ex-Represent;tive Yoder, Of OElo succeeds in the
Office of sergeantatArms ex-RepNsentative Holmes.
of Iowa, who has performed the responsible duties Of
his office with singular ability and fidelity. When he
took UP his duties the Office was in state Of utter
generalization, produced by official neglect, careless
ness and dishonesty, which, II Republican official
had been involved would not only have caused one OF
the gravest of official scandals but would have landed
somebody in the penltentiary. Major Holmes soon
succeeded in bringing order ont of chaos and resor
ing confidence In the Office through which most Of the
financial affairs of the Honse including the payment
of the salaries of Representatives is transacted
The office of Doorkeeper is one of much greater
importance and responsibility than its title indicates
The Doorkeeper Is the purveyor OF about nineteen
twenteths of the "ofhcal patronage Of the House.
Not only all Of the actual doorkeepes, messengers
and pages employed under his direction and CONTROL
enormous OF bills, reports and other public docu
ments belonging to the House and its members, the
storing, handling and distribution of which requires
the employment of a large number OF persons. The
policing and of the Representatives hall, COM
mittee and corridors also under his direction
and require the employment of another small army OF
men. IL will be from this imperfect outline that
tn duties of the Doorkeeper not only important,
but multifarous and exactng and the incumbent must
be man possessed of rare executive ability and tact
in order to succeed, especially Representative
who does not obtain what he regards as his share"
of the patronage" which is not always modest or
moderate amount Immediately becomes the sworn
enemy and fearlessy hostile critic Of the Doorkeeper
and all his official acts. Democratic DoorkeepeS
have succeeded In making themselves famous-nke
Polk for his too great good nature, which led him into
deep trouble, and Fzhugh, whose elevation 10 that
high Office made him bigger man than old Grant
Mr.. Adams. who retired from Office yesterday, and
gave place 10 :" Iceman' Turner, of WORK ana
Tanmany Hall. did not make himself famous, but he
won the respect and approval OF all the members OF
the House, irrespective of party; by faithful eihcleh
and conscientious performance OF his eXactg duties
If Mr. Turner succeeds in doing as we'll as MS
predecessor did. he may be content. ,
Mr.. Dalton the new Postmaster OF the House, neid
the same Office during the three congresses In which
Mr.. tAr,le speaker, and Is therefore Thoroughly
cODyeIsant with its duties. lie succeeds Mr. Hosmer
n capable and efficient officer, who replaced Repqb
llcan Incumbent whOss services were dispensed with
by a Republican House as SOON as II was discovered
that Irregularities existed In the management OF his
Office.