Evening star., 1894-03-02
THE LOCAL OFFICES
District Democrats Think It is Time
to Do Something.
A GENERAL MOVE ON THE PRESIDENT
Mr.. Norris Differences With Mr..
Davis Are Things of the Past.


Distr1ct democrats are now of the opinion,
and very decided opinion 1t appears to
be. that 1t is about time that their claims
to office be recognized. They state that
had their right to the local offices at the
Presidents disposal been half as quickly
recognized as their right to furnish politi-
cal ammunition. in the shape of large finan-
cial contributions, during past national and
congressional campaigns, every office IN
the District. from the highest to the low
est, would have been filled by the appoint
ment of District democrats months ago.
1t Is clearly apparent that those Of the
dominant party in the District feel rather
sore because of Mr.. Cieveland's delay in
making changes here, and 1t is said that
determined and strong move will be made
upon the President in the matter at once
upon his return from his present expedi-
dition against ducks. Therefore, during
MS temporary absence, il Is understood that
the various applicants and their friends are
laying their wires, overhead and under
ground. preparatory to giving them a long
pull and a strong pull when the chief eX-
ecutiVe returns 10 Washington next week.
1t is. however. next to impossible to in
duce the local leaders of the party to say
anything beyond expressing an opinion
that it IS high time the President acted IN
the matter of nlling the local offices with
good District democrats. While they. nat
uraIy enough, have their favOrites for the
positions. they all declare that they would
be perfectly satisfied if Mr.. Cleveland would
only appoint District democrats without
any further delay. They assert that the
President. who. through five years resi-
dence here. has been enabled to know the
qualifications of District members of his
party, has excuse for further delay in
order to become better acquainted with the
fitness Of the applicants. 1t is also pointed
out that. with the single exception of the
city postmasteTship. the terms of the in
cumbents have expired, and, therefore,
there exists no longer any excuse for delay
on that score.
Mr. Norris and Mr. Davis.
At present there is said to be quite
scramble for the position of collector of the
port of Georgetown. Notwithstanding the
fact that the republican incumbent, Capt.
Johnson. refuses Secretary Ca-lisles re-
quest for his resignation. As stated in The
Star. Mr.. James l.. Norris called yesterday
upon Secretary Carlisle in the interest of
Mr.. Vim. F.. Hutchins. while Mr.. Henry z.
Davis. understood to be an opponent of Mr..
Norris inside the party. dropped in on be
half Of Mr.. VIM. Fl. ManOgue, who led enc
of the factions in the District democratic
central committees famous wranSle OF 1s'I2.
Referring TO the statement that he AMI Mr..
Davis had locked horns again over this po-
sitiCn. Mr.. Norris stated to a Star reporter |
this morning that the report was untrue |
He could not understand. remarked Mr. |
Norris. why such statement should have |
been made simply because he and Mr.. Da- |
Wis had called at the Treasury Department |
The differences between Mr.. Davis and him
self, Mr.. Norris intimated. were matters
long past, and to endeavOr to bring them
up again tended only to injure the local de-
mOcracy. and bring it into disrepute. Mr.
Norris stated that he knew nothing new in
local political matters. and had simply
called to see Secretary Carlisle yesterday as
a private citizen
The Georgetown Collectorship.
1t is said at the Treasury Department to-
day that the only thing settled about the
Georgetown collectorship is that Capt John
sons successor will be a local democrat and
consequently no attention will be paid to
applications from non-residents. Besides
the two candidates named above Mr.. Osea
Stevens Is in the field. Mr.. Stevens is in
dorsed by Messrs- Gardner, VIM. Dickson
and others. The entire NaryIand Congress
siOnal delegation has urged the appoint
ment of Deputy Collector Watkins He
gives Georgetown as his legal place of resi-
dence. but is said to be voter in Montgom-
cry county, Nd.
1t was learned today that the late Thos
J. Luttrell was slated for the position cf
collector of Georgetown. and that the Presf-
dent had intimated to a near friend of Mr.
Luttrell that he should have It. 1t was
generally supposed that Capt. LuttrelI was
an applicant for the position of recorder
of deeds but II is said that the President
had decided that some other man shorId
receive that office
Mr. Bruce's Successor
Speaking of the recordership, a promi-
nent member of the local democracyexplain-
ed to Star reporter today that while he
believed that the President shouli recog-
nize the colored members of the party nv
appointing them TO Office, he thought it
unwise for the President to appoint a color
ed man to succeed Recorder Bruce For
some reason or other. he said. the position
had come to be regarded Gne belonging
to the cOlored man. and he hoped a white
democrat would receive the appoint ntment
SO as to negative the prevailing idea in
both parties that it belonged to a negro
Ihe reporters informant stated that such
was the position. he confidently believed
of local democrats.
The reporter was also informed that Mr.
Cleveland's appointment Of negroes to the
office of recorder of deeds during his first
administration was due to Mr.. Lamont
now Secretary of War. although Secretary
of the Treasury Manning had generally
been held responsible for so advising Mr.
Cleveland Whether Mr.. Cleveland intend
ed to pursue similar course in his appoint
ment Of Mr.. Bruce's successor. the report
er's Informant did not know. but II he did
he hoped that District nero would be ap-
pointed. and mentioned Dr. James r. Riley
a colored local physician. as one who is
we'll indOrsed for the place. Another local
democrat. supposed to be very near the
presidential person. expressed precisely SIM
ilar views. and said that II a local colOred
democrat was to be appointed he hoped
that he would be made register of wills.
The District Attorneyship.
Some quiet but very earnest work is be-
ing made. it is understood. in the matter of
District Attorney Birney's successor, and
II Is intimated that people here need not be
surprised If the President went outside the
District for n successor to Mr.. Birney. The
two men, however, who are generally
Thought to have the best chance for the
place are Henry f. Davis and Andrew \.
1lpscOmb- Each man is said TO have n
friend at court. Mr.. Davis having one in
the person of Postmaster General Bissell.
said to be Classmate of his at college. and
Mr. LipscOmb's friend. it is understood, be-
Ing Secretary HOke Smith who is said to be
relative by marriage of Mr.. LipscOmb.
Other Offices.
Because of the fact that those supposed TO
De applicants for the different offices are.
as general thing, keeping very quiet on
IN" subject. il IS almost impossible to as
certain Just who they are just what pO-
eitloa they wish. but il Is quite generally
Understood that Mr.. Laurence Gardner, while
not an applicant for any pOsition-that is. /
IN the sense Of seeking it-wOuld not refuse :
the position Of city postmaster. Many Dis .
trlct democrats are confident Mr.. Gardner
VIII De appointed. II is not believed how .
ever. Tint the President will remove Capt .
ShtrWpoe. hence no one expects his sue
cesSOT u be named before the expiration of !
ms I'ur-year term, next September. The, ,
terms OF Recorder Of Deeds Bruce and Reg