St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1897-09-04
They are making history for the fu-
ture, and it is well that they are doing

They are making history for the fli-
ture, and it is well that they are doing
Sc,
At recent meeting Of the society a
paper was read which gives history of
the first mayor of Washington. Rob-
ert Brent filled that Office from 1902 to
1912; period of IL years, and at a time
when the capital city of this republic
was a little bit OF a village.
George Washington had seen the frui.
ton of his dream of stable republic.
He had sheathed his sword, delivered
his farewell address, and declined a
third term of president of the new re.
public; had gone to his country home
at Mount Vernon, and had been gath
cred unto his fathers. He had seen
the city founded. He had builded here
city residence, which still stands. He
had turned over his high office to his
duly-elected successor. The republic
was very young, and the city of Wash
| tington was yet to be built,
We have the same sort of governments
to-day, with slight notifications, that
washington provided for the national
lcapital. In January, 1871, President
Washington appointed three commits
sioners for the territory of Columbia" /"
and those commissioners were the 10.
cal rulers until congress passed an act
Improved May 3, 1902, authorizing the
president to appoint a mayor for the
city.
4 The Historical society has published
| the following letter, dated June B, 1902,
to Robert Brent, Esq, of the city OF
Washington:
"Dear Sir: The Act of Congress incor.
/ porating the City of Washington has con-
/ fided to the President of the United States
| the appointment of a Mayor of the City. AS
the agency of that officer will be immedi.
ately requisite am desrous to avail the
City of your services in it, If you will per
NIT me to send you the commission. l will
ask the favor of your answer to this prop.
/ osition.
"Will you do me the favor of dining with
me the day after tomorrow Friday1. al
half past three? Accept my friendly and
respectful saiutations
It'll JEFFERSON"
To this official note Robert Brent re.
/ piled as follows:
washington, June 8, 1S02.-Dear Sir:
have the honor of receiving your favor o.
this date, asking my acceptance of the ap-
4 pointment of Mayor, under the late act Of
congress for the Incorporation of the city
/ Although | feel great difffdence in the
/ talents possess for executing that duty. II
a manner which may afford general salts
faction, yet feeling it duty to contribute
my feeble aid for the public service, viii
i venture upon Its duties.
i II beg you, sir, to accept my thanks fol
the honor which you are about to confel
a on me, and for the obliging manner IL
i which you have been pleased to commune
4 cate Ii.
4 II will, with pleasure, accept your politt
4 invitation to dinner on Friday next. Will
i sentiments of much esteem and respect,
have the honor to be, sir, our Obt. Ser,
ROBERT BRENT
! There is the formal protfer and ac
Eceptance of the first mayoralty Of til,
city Of Washington. There is the for
mality, the deferense, the respectful
consideration displayed by the presi
dent to the private citizen; and ther,
! we also see the consideration ant
esteem of the citizen for the president
4 II is a matter of record in the Historical
i society that the dinner lasted from
three o'clock until seven o'clock in tn,
evening. Thomas Jefferson was pres
ident of republic Of about 6,00o,00
people. Robert Brent was appointe'
mayor Of city of something like so
people. There was as much courtes,
and consideration. displayed as thougl
Brent were being made minister II
Great Britain.
By the act of congress the appoint
ment of mavor of Washington wa