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

GVeryOooy was IN HoOO numor ~ the D1o-
trict building today. All seemed to Join in the
| feeling that was prevalent that the President
had made wise choice in the selec-
| ton Of Capt. Rossell as Engineer Com.
missioner to succeed Col. Robert con.
slant stream Of visitors poured into Capt Ros-
sells room all day and everybody had a kind
word to say for the new Commissioner and
word of regret that Col Robert was going to
leave the service Of the District, which he had
served SO faithfully and conscientiously.
CONGRATULATIONS FOR CAPT. RossELL
As has been his custom the captain was on
hand shortly after O'Clock and went to work
with the routine business of his Office as though
nothing had happened. One of the first
callers was ex-Msrshal Wilson. He shook the
captains hand warmly and congratulated
MIN and the District upon the appointment.
Mr. Nj. i. Weller of the East Washington Citi-
zens Association was also an early caller and
said that better appointment coald not have
been made. Mr.. Thomas Luttrell was of the
same opinion end congratulated the new Com
missioner heartily.
Ex-Conmissioner Morgan said that the Presi-
dent bad made a wise selection and in Capt
kossel The District would have a Commissioner
that it would be proud Of.
OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the messenger from
the War DEPARTING mt handed Commissioner
Douglass an envelope containing the official
order relieving Col. Robert and appointing
Capt. Rosseil. A copy Of this order was printed
in last evenings STAR.
Secretary Tindall notified Capt. Rossell Of the
receipt OF the order and shortly efterward the
Douglass.
air. Douglass said Col. Robert would continue
to act as Commissioner. at least until all of the
accounts are straishtened up. and then would
turn over his cffice to Capt. Rossell Auditor
Petty has been iliStruct ted to hurry matters up
What do you think of the changer" asked
The STAR reporter OF Mr.. Douglass as soon as
the captain had taken his leave
WHAT COMMISSIONER DOUGLASS SAYS.
II knew that the colonel was feeling the
strain very much, but did not anticipate so
early an escape for him. He had quite cough
for several weeks and spoke to him about it
mate of Tennessee will be Just tie change
for him. He leaves the impression at the
District Offices of pleasant, painstlking.
Christian gentleman. His fondness for some
branches of his duties as Commissioner outran
hui strength and was impairing his health. We
all hope that change of air with less wearing
affairs will restore him to where TO was ia
health when he first came among ms.
The selection OF his SUCCESSOR is admirable.
and will DO as pleasant to the community. l am
satisfied, as it is to everybody down here. His
experience in the office will make him fully co nal
to every duty at once. An then at the proper
time each day tine captain will be able to leave
the cares of Office behind and enjoy his home,
with It's platoon of bright babies and be fresh
the next morning FOR the treatment Of Peters
alley and Pauls subdivision"
COMMISSIONER ROSS VIEWS.
Commissioner Ross said: 81 was very sorry
to read in The STAR last evening The announce
ment that Col. Robert had been relieved from
duty as Engineer Commissioner of the District
During our official connection have ever found
him faithful and painstakirg and always
ac;uated in whatever he undertook by what he
considered was for the best interests of Wash
ing:on. In fact, cannot praise him too highly.
Capt. kossell is, in my opinion. one OF the best
officers in the engineer corps and his appoint
mentls source OF great pleasure to me-"
COL ROBERT TALKS.
Col Robert said:
II am free to admit that in some respects
am sorry to leave the District. have become
deeply interested in its welfare and its peopie
and have formed many strong attachments.
THE petty differences between myself and the
civilian Commissioners have been greatly
magnified until they were unrecognizable.
Let me say jus. here that while We may have
had different views on sore subjects there
never Was rupturs in the present board.
cannot conceive Of any one getting three men
together whose relations were so amicable
There never has been unpleasant word be-
tween us and sever my connec ton with them
with the greatest regret, for they have ever
been most kind and courteous.
'lr Capt. Rossell the District is to be congrat-
uated in having such a thorough officer in
charge OF the engineer department. He has
diate charge of surface improvements, and in
many other ways is we'll qualified for the posi-
ton, which / am sure he will fill to the salts
faction OF the community"
PLEASANT WORDS FOR. COL ROBERT.
While every one congratulated Capt. Rossell
on his weildeserved promotion they did not
forget to have pleasant word for Col Robert,
who has SO cheerfully and faithfully fulfilled
his duty.
Immediately to Nashville, and carefully look
over his new duties before sending for his
family.
He will probably leave his Office about Thurs
day next Auditor Petty has notified the Com
missioners that he would be ready and have all
the accounts of the old board in shape for set.
Element BY that time.
A MATTER ,1fAY.
The only embarrassing thing about the
change is the pay Of the new Commissioner.
The organic act fixes the pay of the Engineer
Commissioner at a figure which, toge Their with
ms regular army pay, shall equal 50. 900.
Now, Col. Robert only draws S36 per month
from the Dlstr1ct, as Ills regular pay amounts
to nearly 5000. The current appropriation
therefore, only allows s36 per month for the
Engineer Commissioner, and this is all Capt.
Rossell can draw until Congress meets when a
deficiency bill will be presented allowing the
captain to draw tue back pay OF his Office.
There seems to be no doubt but that by this
time next week Capt. Rossell will be properly
installed as Engineer Commissioner of the Dis
trict of Columbia
THE CHANGE OF THE LAW.
At the last session Of Congress a law was
passed making captain of engineers, who had
seen fifteen years of service at
that rank eligible to appointment
as an Engineer Commissioner of
tho District, and 1t is under this that Capt.
Rossell il selected. The text of the law is as
follows:
"That any two Of the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia fitting as a board
shall constitute a quorum for the trans
action OF business. and that the senior
officer of the corps Of engineers of the army,
who shall for tho time being be detailed to act
as assistant, and. in case Of his absence from
the District or disability, the Junior
officer SO deta;led) shall, in the event OF the
absence from the District, or disability
Of the commissioner, who shall for
the time being be detailed from the
CORPS OF engineers. perform all the duties i'm.