Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-01
THE DISTRICT OFFICES,
Local Democrats Hope the President Will
Give Them Attention.
No Particular Foundation for This
Over and Congress. VIII Meet.

The cloud of uncertainty which has en-
veloped the matter of District appointments
since the Inauguration of President Cleve-
land gives no indication Of breaking away,
IL the words and actions of the District
democrats Faithfully picture the situation
When questioned concerning the District
offices the faithful obviously shake their
heads and declare they know absolutely
nothing concerning them. So long have
they been kept on the anxious bench, SO
long have they patiently awaited the word
Of good cheer with not a sign of coming
release from their suspenses, that they have
grown hopeless hardened, and. strange as
1t may seem. Indifferent in many instances.
Clean of Hope.
Yet with the advent OF the new year
comes a CLEAN of hope that their patience
may be rewarded by the announcement in a
short time of the names of the fortunate
ones. 1t is an open secret. however, that
their hope has no firmer foundation than
the mere assumption that the President will
now. the holidays over. proceed to a consid-
Grafton of the claims of the various appli-
cants. But it is very evident that the local
members of the dominant political party
have received no authoritative statement
that Mr.. Cleveland will soon take up the
matter OF District appointments. Indeed,
the local democrats are frank enough to say
that they know absolutely nothing of the
Presidents intention. Hence, they not only
state that they do not know when he will
act. but they also claim that they are en-
tireiy Ignorant of the relative standing OF
the applicants. Many, in fact, go so far as
to state they do not even know who are
applicants for the various offices.
Terms of the Present Incumbents.
Marshal Ransdells four years term ex-
pires next month. and it is not doubted
that he will be permitted to complete his
term. The same course, it seems to be be-
lieved. will be pursued by the President in
the case Of City Postmaster Sherwood The
terms of District Commissioner Ross, Re-
corder of Deeds Bruce and Register OF
Wills Wright have already expired, but the
term OF District Attorney Birney, even
when regarded as the term of his plede-
cessor, Judge c. c. Cole, has not 1t II be-
lieved by some, however, that Pred len,
Cleveland will appoint a successor 10 Mr.
Birney before the expiration of his term
however 1t may be estimated. The pub
lished statement that President Cleveland
will hasten the appointment of Mr. Birney' 5
successor because President Harrison did
not allow the office to remain vacant ur I'll
Mr.. Cleveland came in is believed to be
without foundation, for the simple reason
that had Mr.. Harrison failed for even
twenty-four hours to fill the Office he would
have blocked every criminal proceeding
both in the Criminal and Police courts OF
the District. 1t is undoubtedly true that
the immediate appointment of a successor
to Mr.. Birney would give great qualification
In certain quarters where at the presen,
time Mr.. Birney's law-enforcing activity
Is causing embarrassment, hut IL is not gen.
orally believed that the President will name
his successor for some time yet