Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-01
COMMISSIONERS PARKER.
He Takes the Oath and Assumes the Duties
OF His Once.

| Oh BIS Omce.
HE COMMENCES WORK IN BusISEss-LIxE NAN
/ NER-rHE CLERKS SAY GOODBYE TO MR.
DoUGLAss-MR. E @. DAVIS MAKES SPEECH
AND Mr.. DOUGLASS REPLIES.
! 1t is now Commissioner Parker and ex-Com-
missioner Douglass. The Official change in
the commissonership of the District of Co
lumbia took place today when Myron
II. Parker, in a strong, steady voice, took his
oath to support the Constitution of the
United States. 1t was 1910 when Commits
sioner Douglass. accompanied bv his successor,
arrived at the District building. Mr. Parker
Invested himself of his overcoat. and then Sec
Rotary Tindall, with a little brass-mounted
Bible that has sworn in SO many Commission
ers, performed the ceremony which made him
one Of the District triumvirate. The ceremony
took place in Commissioner Ross room, and a
number of the clerks gathered around.
Mr.. Parker at once took possession Of his
desk and his first action was to send to the
| attorney for the District for an opinion on the
complaint that certain alleged spiritualists in
the city were defrauding the people. The news
! of his arrival spread throughout the building
and soon his Office was crowded with clerks
anxious to shake hands with their new gov
ernor.
BIDDING NIB. DOUGLASS GOODBYE.
At II o'clock the assessor Of the District, who
was chairman of the committee appointed yes
terday by the committee on resolutions, and
nearly all of the clerks in the Dis
trict building filed into the board room.
where Mr. Douglass and the Commissioners
awaited. Assessor Trimble referred to the meet
ing which was held yesterday afternoon and
in M r nov nh.,rv ~ fha
committee on resolutions who handed to Com
missioner Douglass a handsomely executed set
OF resolutions identical with those published in
yesterdays STAR. 1t was the work of Mr.. j.
4. smithers of the assessors office and was q
work of art.
Mr.. Davis said he was deputed to convey an
expression Of the sorrow the clerks of the Dis
trict government felt at severing their rela-
lions with one who had always been their
friend. They had attempted to portray in
felt and the prosperity they hoped for his future
But words In themselves" he said. ARE
feeble agents of conveyance in matters of sor-
row. Words are totally inadequate to portray
the feeling Of the heart. Three wears ago you
came to help govern the District. BY your
broad and conscientious views. by your earnest
and consistent efforts in administering the
affairs of the District. by your cordial and
genial nature, your courteous treatment to
us all. You have not only won our
friendship and esteem, but you have entered
! into the citidal of our hearts, You have our
undying friendship. Whatever your path in
the future NAV be, wherever your duty and in
clinations call, it is our earnest and sincere
| wish that your path be strewn with flowers
May all the prosperity that comes to a
man VINO rests from his labor with a secret con-
seriousness OF having done his best come to YOU.
But though you leave us in an official sense We
trust We shall always have your friendship and
that you will sometimes remember and think
OF us. And may we not as good
citizens come to you in the future and bespeak
| OF you kindly word in the interest Of the Dis
trict of Columbia, which today shows the evil
dence of your work. One and all of US wish
you God speed.
NIB. DOUGLASS REPLY.
Mr.. Douglass was visibly affected. and choked
with tears as he tried to respond. He said:
Gentlemen, this is not altogether q surprise
after reading the evening papers, but
must acknowledge the great pleasure. When
first came here, nearly four years since, 1 knew
but few. of you personally. I am happy
to say, however, that every days association
with yOu has but the more satisfied mo OF
your ability and fidelity. In season and out
OF season, which l suppose may be inter-
preted in this instance as we'll after A o'clock
| as before that hour, YOU have cheerfnlly aided
| in the work of advancing the District .
1
altogether pleasant and profitable. The kind
| words OF your resolutions and those of the
! speaker assure me that it has not been unpleas-
| ant to you. One event happeneth unto all, in
the language of the good book, apply to tho
! final event in this world, and may without
disrespect be applied to the fate of
Office holders in this country. The people
of Washington have two illustrations Of this
during the present week. One. the greatest
possible in this contingent, to occur on
! Czk,, Al IN
parison as to hardly deserve mention in the
same connection-the change in this Office
TODAY. Both in obedience to the popular will
The greater directly and the lesser under
our municipal form of government pre-
sumptuously SO. No man with any proper
degree OF sentiment can break of ties
the growth Of four wears OF intimate as
| ISOLATION and mutual interest without touch
OF tenderness and regard. l profess no exemp-
ton from this feeling, and have only to thank
you again for all your help and sympathy
throughout my official course, with the SINGER
est wish for your future success and happi-
ness"
At the end OF the speech tears gathered in
Mr.. Douglass eyes and 1t was with difficulty
that he could restrain them. He then babe
each one of the clerks an afectionate goodbye
and some Of the older ones appeared notably
affected. Mr.. Douglass enters at once upon his
law practice in the Pacific building.
THE NEW BOARD ORGANIZES.
1t was nearly o'clock when the new board
of Commissioners organized. As coon as the
meeting was called to order Commissioner
Parker nominated Commissioner Ross as presi-
dent Of the board, and he was elected and
took the seat vacated BY Mr.. Douglass
Then Capt. Rossell nominated Commissioner
Parker rs vice president, and he being elected
the board declared organized. 1t was
unanimously decided that in the distribution
Of duties Mr.. Parker succeed to MIR. Ross duties
and the latter take charge OF the departments
apportioned to Mr.. Douglass at the organiza-
ton Of the last board.
The new board spent considerable time in
discussing the situation, and Commissioner
Parker evinced a lively interest in all matters.
THE BOND AMENDMENT.
If Mr. Carlisle Don't Need 1t He Must Dis