Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-04
} THE RElNS OF OFFICE
Mr.; ]. Nota McGill Installed as Register of
Wills
He is the Twelfth of n List of Able
OMcfa1s-0ld Employees
Retained.

Mr.. J. Nota McGill, whose appointment
as register of wills was announced last
Friday, appeared at the city hall this
morning, and, after taking the oath of
office before Judge Cox, relieved Col. Levi
+. Wright the retiring register, who has
held the Office since September 1, 1890
There was no ceremony attending the
transfer of the office, the new register
merely exhibiting to his predecessor his
commission, a certified copy of the oath
of office and his bond of 5000, approved
by Chief Justice Bingham of the District
Supreme Court. Then the formal transfer
of the office and Its records took place,
Col Wright warmly congratulating his
successor and wishing him all success, and
Mr.. McGill, in returning his thanks, high
ly complimented Col. Wright upon the sue
cess he had attained in the conduct of the
office. The first official act of Register Nc
Gill was the reappointment of DIR. Michael
]. Griffith as his deputy
In conversation with a Star reporter Mr..
McGill stated that he would devote the
day and probably many more in familiariz-
and in becoming acquainted with his en-
ployes. He at the present time contem-
plated making no changes in the personnel
of the office and did not Low know that he
would make any. Mr.. McGill said he wish
ed to thank The Star for its kind express
sions and all others who had spoken kind
ly OF his appointment, and remarked that
he would endeavor to so perform his
duties as to merit a continuance of such
kindly expressions, and would be glad to
receive any suggestion which would tend
to make his administration of the office
all that it should be-
The Twelfth Register.
Mr.. McGill is the twelfth register of wills
the District has seen. The first one was
John Hewitt, who was appointed by Presi-
cent Jefferson in April 1901. He served
until his death, in July, 1918, when he was
succeeded by John B. Blake, who was ap-
pointed in July, 1918, by President Monroe
He died in August, 1919. when Henry c.
Neale was appointed by President Monroe
Mr.. Neale held the Office until his death in
April, 1886, when Edn ard N. Roach was
appointed by President Jackson. October,
1s6l President Lincoln appointed Moses
Kelly as Mr.. Roach's successor but he fail
ed OF confirmation, although he held the
Office until August Z, 1866, Swhen President
Lincoln appointed Zenas Robbins Mr. Rob-
bins continued in Office until November 3.
1866. when President Johnson appointed
James r. OBeirne. President Grant an
pointed Amos Webster April IT, 1863, and
PRESIDENT Garfield, July 2, 1881 removed
Col: webster by the appointment of Hiram
j. Ramsdell This was the very day that
President Garfield was shot down bv
Guiteau, and Mr.. Ramsdell's commission is
SAID to have been the very last one signed
by him.
reeS ana Salaries.
Until the removal of Col. Webster the Of
nee OF register of wills was understood to
be held during the good behavior of the
occupant of it, and it is said that Col. Web
ster was on the point of contesting the right
Of the President to remove him without
cause, when he was informed by his coun-
sci that under the tenure of office act the
register held office during the pleasure of
the President. August g. 1886 President
cleveland appointed Dorsey Clagett as reg
isters and September 1, 1880, Col Levi P.
Wright, who was relieved by Mr.. McGiIl
today was appointed by President Harri-
son.
Until December 81, 1892 the register of
Wills, like the recorder of deeds, was COM
pensated by the fees received by him, he
paying his clerical expenses But July Ia.
lo92 Congress provided that after the
former date his salary should not exceed
s5'o0o year and that of his deputy should
not exceed S1,J00 annually. The number
ana compensation of his employees were
placed as previous to the passage of the
act, except that temporary clerks or COW
ISIS were allowed, as the business of the
office required.
Or. Griffith, the deputy register of wills
was appointed by Col. Webster in the fall
OF 1876. and has held the office ever since