Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-10
THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
Expectations Raised by the Two Recent
Appointments.
GOssips Look for Changes in the OF.
flee of Recorder of Deeds and
Register of Wills,

The fact that the President, in the multi
plicity of his duties has found time TO give
attention to District matters to the extent
of making appointments TO two of its most
important Offices naturally leads to the con-
cluson that he has also considered the mat
ter of the other local Offices under his jur.s-
diction. The appointment of Commissioner
Ross and Marshal Wilson gives universal
satisfaction, and justifies the hope tina, the
appointments yet to be made will be equal
ly satisfactory. In at least one of these
cases he waived his general rule as 10 re-
appointing ex-office holders. Mr.. Ross did
not hold his present Office under Mr. Cleye-
lands administration, and to continue him
in a place which he had filed SO satisfac-
torily makes case different from the re-
appointment Of an old Office holder.
The reappointment Of Mr. Wilson, how
ever, has led the friends of Mr.. Dorsey
Clagett to believe that another exception
may be made in his case. Mr.. Clagett held
the office of register of wills under MIR.
Cleveland's first administration, and served
with credit.
Changes May Soon BE Made.
Although there is no legal term OF service
in the offices of recorder of deeds and regis
ter OF wills, the appointments usually run
for four years. This. however, is merely a
matter of custom. without any binding
force in law. District Commissioners, the
United States marshal, the United States
attorney and the city postmaster are ap-
poin ted for stated terms. the District Com
missioners of three and the others of four
years, but the recorder and the register are
appointed without regard to length o. serv.
ice
So far as can be learned in official centers
m hn t.x.a, fat hx- he .
looking to change in either of these two
Offices, but the gossips predict that there
will be change i'm both before many weeks
elapse. Recorder Bruce has been in Office
four years. lacking one month, and Register
Wright has little over three years service
to his credit. MIR. Bruce was appointed in
February. 1880. and Mr.. Wright in Septem-
Der or the same year. Ever since the APP
pointment of MIR. Frederick Douglass as
recorder of deeds. by President Garfield
that office has been held by a colored man.
Mr.. Matthews of Albany was appointed to
the office by Mr.. Cleveland in 1885 The
President appointed Mr.. Trotter, a colored
resident of Boston, to the Office and he was
confirmed There is considerable interest
now to see whether Mr.. Cleveland will
again appoint a colored man, and whether
ne Will again select a nonresident.
In the event that the President decides
TO give the Office to a colored resident of
the District the friends of DR.. Riley, pres.
aNShe VI tiic JOiu M f-alINer SlUD, tlllk he
has fair chance of selection. They say
that the local democracy, IL a colored man
is to be appointed. prefer a resident colored
man, and will. under such conditions. give
support to DIR. Riley. The District democ-
racy. however, do not regard 1t as neces-
sary that colored man should be appoint
ed. The President IL reported to have said
that II he gave the ONCE to a NONRESIDENT
he would give 1t to some prominent cclored
democrat. but whether. In case he appoints
local democrat, he will feel bound to
choose colored man is not known.
The District Attorneyship.
People who claim to know say that the
next local appointment to be made will be
that of United States attorney. They go
SO far as to assert positively that a change
has already been determined upon and will
be announced before the close of the pres
ent month. According to these wiseacres
Mr. Henry E. Davis is the man selected Is
succeed Mr.. Birney. They predics that he
will be nominated soon after the court an
nounces its decision in the case of the book
makers at Ivy City. The advocates for a
change in the district attorneyship concede
that Mr.. Birney has been a faithful. eff
cient and conscientious officer and that his
relief after so short a service. is not to be
regarded as reflection on his administra-
ton.
is personally interested In the administra-
ton of justice in the District for the rea-
son that il comes directly under his OBJ
servation and that therefore he desires to
have the position Of public prosecutor filled
by a man of his own party, of whose abil-
ity and integrity he has personal know
ledge. This would seem to indicate that
the only objection to Mr.. Birney Is that he
is a republican and that he does not possess
the Presidents confidence. Mr.. Davis has
denied the statement that the office was
rendered to him or taat his visit to the
White House Monday was I'm relation to
the Office Of District attorney.
Early last summer The Star spoke of the
probability of the nomination of Mr. Davis
and while he then and today stated to a
Star reporter that the Office was unsought
by him. and really not desired. IL Is known
that Mr.. Davis has been prevailed upon
by his friends to allow his name TO be con-
sidered by the President, with the distinct
understanding that If it is favorably con-
sidered he will accept the appointment
only as a recognition of the urgent request
of his friends. While Mr.. Davis stated to
Star reporter yesterday afternoon that IT
was true that he saw the President Mon
day, as mentioned i'm The Star, and that the
matter of some of the District Offices were
discussed the office of District attorney
versation with the President Mr. Davis
also stated that the Office had not been
rendered to him. and politely begged to be
excused from saying what he would do
should it be offered to him.
In all the gossip about local appoint-
meats less attention seems TO be paid TO
the rostmastership than to any of the other
offices. and the impression lis gaining ground
that IL will be the last one considered by
the President. It is generally supuosed
that Postmaster Sherwood will be permitted
to serve out his term. which will end next
fail. So much of Mr. Clevelsnd's time is
now occupied by important affairs OF state
arising out of the complications I'm Hawaii
ana in Brazil. and economic questions, that
AZ DlSSihiQ District NJ foec L. -
on the shelf for some time to come