The morning times., 1895-10-13
Commissioners Are Forming a
Gallery of Their Pictures.
WASHINGTON'S EARLY DAYS
Pennsyl vauia Avenue WAS Then a
Deep MOrass Covered With Alder
Bushes-Single Block of Houses
Erected on It-Legisl atOrs Slept
Two ina Bed in the Taverns.

tOH 5 estaDllSuDlenC rs tne NatiOndl cap
ital, with its recall of so much that is inter
woven in the history of the Republic, will
doubtless be made memorable, as it should
be, by celebration second in magnitude
only to the tribute paid the national event
at Philadelphia, in 1876.
Patriotism will find opportunity here,
and the occasion will furnish the inspr
alton, for a grand ovation to liberty, and
history will be drawn upon for its con-
tribution to the literary features that will
surely adorn the programme
The occasion is not so far in the future,
either, as that a word may not now Is
fitly spoken in anticipation, and a re-
Prospective view taken covering the period
of the city's inception, its progress and
development.
. The form OF government under which
! Washington city will doubtless celebrate
its one huI,dredth birthday must ever be
considered as unique, and will probably
never be exactly duplicated elsewhere.
1t is unnecessary to say that it differs
materially from that originally adopted,
or that ii has been the subject OF many
changes, more or less radical.
The city was Incorporated in 1902, pro-
vided with a law for the election of a
council and the appointment of a mayor,
the latter's commission TO bear the Presi-
to the present there have been alterations,
amendments, substiuutions, and rescind-
ments in both method and detail; but to
particularize these is not the purpose of
| the present effort.
| FORMED A GALLERY.
Recently, the District Commissioners,
prompted by laudable motive, undertook
the task of forming a gallery to em-
brace as many as could be obtained of the
nir nf .f.f,.
officials. 1t contains already large num-
ber, and among the most noteworthy is
| a portrait of each of nine ma yors, all of
whom are perpetuated in the memory of
the school boys and school girls who drink
of the fountain OF knowledge within build
ings that are respectively named in their
| honor.
The nine are: John F Tow ers, Thomas
! Carbcry, Roger c. Weightman. William A.
Bradley, Peter Force, Walter LenoX, John
| W. Morey, John t Van Ness, and James
Berret.
Washington's first executive officer,
| Mayor Brent, to okcharge ofthe municipality
in June, 1902, in the days when Congress
| men rode TO the Capitolin hackney coaches,
| andslepttw o in a bed at the tavern Hewa
appointed by the President, annually re-
| new ing his lease for ten consecutive terms.
Neanw hile by act of Congress, the duty
| of selecting a mayor " as devolved upon the
"city councils" and Forefather Brents
! immediate successors were so chosen.
Their respective tcnures, how ever, were of
much shorter duration. Daniel Rapine,
next in order, W as elected in 1912, assumed
control in June and served one year He
was succeeded by James II Blake, who was
elected by councils to serve from June, 1918,
to June, 1914, and as three times his own
successor.
But two others Were chosen by councils.
terms, and Samuel n. Smanwood, whose
official tenure was for but n single year
under that commission. The law was then
changed, giving the people the right to
name a mayor, and Mr.. Smallwood was
elected under that statutory provision
for a second term of two years.
CHOSEN BY PEOPLE.
He was succeeded by Thomas Carbery,
vI.so was also chosen by the people, and
served until 1924, when eN-Mayor Small
wood was again returned by his fellow
citizens. His death occurred in Septem-
Der, 1924, following his third investure
with official hOnors, and he was succeeded
by Roger C. Weightman, who was chosen
by the councils to fill the uneNpired term.
His conduct of affairs seems to have met
with popular approval, as he was named
by the voice OF his constituents to succeed
himself. He served but two months of his
second term, resgning July 81, 1927.
Joseph Gales, jr., selected by councils.
filled out Mr.. Weightman' unexpired
term, and was then chosen by the people
for the full period of two years. John C.
Van Ness was the next, serving four years;
W. A. Bradley, his successor, for a single
term, and Peter Force next, who COM
passed four years.
The longest continuous occupancy of the
office scored by an elective mayor was that
to the credit of William w. Seaton, who was
inducted into the position in 1 40 and gave
way to a successor in 1850 in the person of
Walter LenoX, who had q single term.
John w. Maury. John T. Towers William
B. Magruder and James g. Berret formed the
next quartette in the order named. the first
three being single terners, and the latter
exceeding the two years by two months
only.
Richard Wallach was selected by councils
to serve from August &c, 1851, to June,
1862, and was subsequently three times
elected by the people, surrendering the office
in 1868. Sayles j. Bowen was elected that
year and dservedfour terms oftwo o years each.
LEGIsLATED OUT OF 1T.
Matthew 6. Emery, thelast ofthe list was
elected in 1870, and in 1871 was legislated
out of office through the revocation by
Congress of the corporation charter and the
establishment of the District municipal sys-
tenn, with which the average Washingtonian
Is direduy ldlllllidr, anu winch IOr Two years
only preceded the present regime.
The municipality of a quarter of a century
ago represented the ambitious age of the |
District when the destinies of the governed |
were presided over by governor, a board |
of public works, a legislative adjunct fash |
Toned somewhat after the plan of the Brit |
ish Parliament, and when the public inter- |
eSts were represented in Congress by dele |
gate elected by the people. 1t was of but |
short duration, figuratively coming forth |
as flower to be cut down by the frosts of |
an adverse sentiment.
Citizens who lived here In that brief era of |
political independence will remember the |
first chief executive of the territory"
Gov. Cooke, of tranDscendent ability and
charming presence and the fame of his in
secure as his public work is permanent.
Speaking of the beginnings, 1t may be as
well to state that the first Commissioners
under the temporary government were Gen.
John II. Ketcham, william Dennison, and
Henry 7. Blow, the latter being succeeded
shortly be Capt. Seth L. Phelps and the first
named by Thomas B. Bryan.
The masterspirito of the temporary govern
ment was unGuestionably Gen Ketcham,
man of extraordinary Physical energy,
well trained mind, and wide experience.
The adoption of many of the most benefi-
cent provisions in the present form Of
government was the result of his foresight
and due to his efforts.
Under the temporary government, the en-
interests ofthe District were under
the immediate supervision of Lieut. Richard
L. Hoxie.
THE ORIGINAL BOARD.
Briefly sketching subsequent history and
bringing the governmental data up to date. (