Evening star., 1896-12-07
GENERAL APPROVAL.
What Citizens Say of MIR. Bells Ap-
pOint ntmeht.

What Citizens Say of Mr. Bells Ap-
pOintment.
Mr.. S. w. Woodward, who declined the
appointment as chairman Of the Inaugural
ton committee, was seen by Star reporter
this morning. He declined to discuss the
matter, saying that he had written letter
to Mr.. Hanna and Col. NJ. NJ. Parker, in
which he had given the reasons for his ac-
ton. In view of that fact he did not care
to say anything more upon the subject.
What do you think of the appointment
which has been made?'
who is the man?''
Mr.. Charles ]. Bell"
well. that's very good appointment;
first rate. 1t is an appointment that could
rot be improved upon. All can say is that
Mr. Bell has my heartiest congratulations
and II there is anything 1 can do to assist
him in any way 1 shall be only too glad 10
do it. Mr.. Bells appointment will give
general satisfaction. 1 an. sure
so Mr. Bell is the man. said Mr.. a. NJ
Lothrop. Mr.. Woodward's partner, who
was standing near. Mr. Bell Is rafting
good man and l am glad he has been
chosen
Mr.. A. T. Britton who as chairman Of
the Harrison inaugural committee, man
aged that affair with so much success. said
this morning to a Star reporter in regard
to the appointment of Mr.. Bell: Il cor
slider the selection of Mr.. Bell as most
satisfactory one, and one that will be so
to all classe of our citizens. l look upon
Mr. Bell one of the rising young men of
the city. His executive ability has been
tested. and he Is we'll fitted to perform the
arduous duties Of the position. Mr.. Wood
wards action in withdrawing l look upo.:
as only another indication of his own self
respect, and affords additional ground toy
the high respect in which he is held by the
people Of this community.
Mr. lob -
National Metropolitan Bank. who was
chairman of the committee which managed
the Garfield inaugural ceremonies so sue
cessfully. Is very enthusiastic over the Sc
lection of Mr.. Charles j. Bell chairman
of the committee of arrangements for the
Inauguration of President-elect Mckinley.
Il don't want to reflect in any way upon
Mr.. Woodward. who is one of our foremost
business men," said Mr.. Thompson to a
Star reporter today. but l have no hesita-
ton in saying that better man than Mr..
Bell could not have been selected for the
important work. Energetic and capable.
he has. in addition. more than ordinary eX-
ecutive ability. He understands the hand
ling of committees. and has all the quail
ties required for the proper mana cement of
an affair of the magnitude OF the Inaugural
ton. | think in his hands the coming in
auguration will be great success, and
that it will doubtless be conducted without
expense to the city. He is man who in
spires confidence and energy in others. and
ing to aid him in making the affair what
it undoubtedly will be-a credit to the city
and to the nation. 1 am very much gratified
at his selection"
The Opposing Republicans.
The opposition to the appointment of Mr..
s. w. Woodward as chairman of the gen.
eral inauguration committee was well
voiced today by Mr.. L. NJ. Saunders, one
Of the committee that called upon Mr..
Hanna Saturday to enter protest against
the selection of a democrat as the head of
the committee which has in charge all the
local arrangements for the inaugural ex-
ercises. In the course of conversation
with Star reporter this afternoon Mr..
Saunders said:
Mr.. Woodward is a near neighbor of
mine on WashingtCn Heights, and nothing
could be farther from my mind than to
say anything which would seem to reflect
in the slightest degree upon him either as
business man or as citizen. He Is
man for whom 1 have the highest esteem.
and any objection that l may have made
was based solely and only upon political
grounds. 1t did not seem to me fair that
democrat should be selected for the office
when there were SO many republicans of
long standing who were eminently capable
of filliEg the position.
THE appointment of Mr.. Bell to the place
is thoroughly satisfactory to me- as 1 am
District. OF Mr.. Bell as a citizen every
one in the community knows, and the fact
that he is member Of the same political
party as the incoming President is all that
need be said to qualify him for the position
of chairman of the Inauguration commit
tee."
Mr.. Simon Wolf. who was also one of
those republicans who did not take kindly
to the appointment of a democrat, said to
Star reporter today:
The appointment of Mr.. Bell is the mos,
satisfactory solution of the difficulty that
could have been hit upon. There is one
thing l want to say. and you cannot ex-
press 1t In words TOO strong. and that is
that the fight against Mr. Woodward was
not made on personal grounds. AS a busi-
ness man and a public-spirited citizen no
man stands higher than he. My opposi-
ton to him was solely OF the ground that it
was entirely against precedent to select a
democrat to induct into office q President
of the opposite political faith. 1 did NOT
consider 1t fair at all to choose a democrat
ard appoint him over the heads Of so MANY
republicans who were equally capable.
MIR. Woodwards position in the campaign
which has but just closed reminds cne
very much Of the death-bed repentance of