Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-20

THE CAPTAIN SAYS
Capt. W. T. Rosseu. Engineer Commissioner
of the District, has asked to be relieved from
duty, and the request has been granted.
This startling announcement leaked out ut
the District building today. although the utmost
secrecy has been maintained to keep the matter
from the public until the whole affair had
been consummated.
Since Capt Rossel first became Engineer
Commissioner he has received several overtures
from corporations to accept lucrative positions.
but he refused them all until the General Eleo-
trio Company made him a munifcent offer TO
take the vice presidency and general manage
ment of the company, with headquarters in
Boston. For some DAYS he hesitated about the
matter, but finally concluded to try it at any
rate and if the business Was satisfactory TO re-
sign from the army
There was but one way to accomplish this
and that WAS TO get leave of absence for six
months, go 10 Boston and take hold
Last week he made application to the War
Department for the leave and il was promptly
granted, although the President refused 90
name his successor immediately. preferring TO
leave that matter 90 the President-elect
WHAT THE CAPTAIN SAYS
II was past 10 O'Clock when Capt Rossel ar
rived at the District building this morning
He was detained by some private business in
connection with HIS new position. He greeted
the reporter of The STAR pleasantly and seemed
surprised that he knew anything about the
fact of his being relieved.
II had hoped that you fellows would not get
on to that until my successor had been APP
pointed. he said, replying TO a question.
Yes, it is true that | am going away.
although cannot say at this time that will
resign from the army. That is in the dim
+%a1r -
able regret for me to leave Washington. / have
made many friends here and every one has
! treated me with the utmost consideration. Ny
relations with the board of Commissioners have
been Of the pleasantest. / leave the District
to better my condition. That is all there
! Is to 1t. You know man cannot be blamed
for doing that / really do not know
when shall leave. Of course / cannot 60 until
my successor is appointed and that will not be
until after Mr.. Cleveland is inaugurated.
know very little of the business am going
into. Ut has something TO do with the General
dent and general manager. In a day or two
expect to run up to Boston and look over the
field. No. cannot tell you what salary L shall
receive. 1t is a great deal better than the one
L am now drawing, however.
COMMISSIONER DOUGLASS TRIBUTE.
"Ies, have heard of Capt. Rosseifs plans
for the future" said Commissioner Douglass 10
The STAR reporter, "and all / have 10 say is
that the District loses the best Engineer Com
missioner it ever had. As a Commissioner |
have found him practical and thorough Off
Ger, and as a man an afable and courteous
gentleman. In him the District always had a
stanch friend, and his loss is to be deplored"
MR.. CLEVELAND TO NAME HIS SUCCESSOR AS
INDICATED ABOVE.
There will be no change in the Office Of En-
gineer Commissioner OF the District during the
present administration. A STAR reporter OBJ
tanned this information from official sources at
the White House and at the War Department
SO the statement may be accepted without ques-
tion. At the War Department il was elarned that
Capt. kossel had applied for a YEAR, leave Of
absence in order TO perfect his arrangement for
the future. He asked that the leave take effect
upon his relief from his present official duties
and intimated that an early relief would besgree-
able to him. The matter was presented TO the
President. who alone had jurisdiction in the
case. and he decided that as the selection of an
officer for this service for the ensuing term
properly appertsined to the incoming
President it would be better for Capt. Rossell
to retain his Office for the present.
He was especially disposed 10 this course for
the reason that he had already appointed one
member of the District Commission, who
tif confrmed) will naturally serve during the
next administration. While it is true that
officers of the army are supposed TO
nave no pOlltlcS II mas become |
custom for the engineer commissiouership TO
change with each administration. the theory
being to allow tbs Presidents choice for that
Office to decide questions on which the two
civilian Commissioners are divided In this |
sense the Engineer Commissioner is a non-psr-
tssn representative of the President.
Capt. Rossells application for leave was
granted, however, to take effect at the pleasure
of President-elect Cleveland, but the period of /
leave was limited TO six months Secretary |
Elkins told a STAR reporter this afternoon /
that Capt. Rossell has been granted leave OF |
absence on his own application; that the |
present administration had no wish TO make |
u change in the Office, and had therefore |
made the leave conditional upon his relief by 1
the incoming administration.
NOT REGARDED As DESIRABLE.
In conversation with several engineer officers |
STAR reporter learned that this particular |
detail is regarded as one of the most undesir- |
able billets in the service, and that Whatever
competition NAV arise to secure it viii be /
limited to comparatively few officers.