The Holly chieftain., 1897-08-20

at Mount Vernon. and had been gath,
cred unto his fathers. He had seen
the city founded. lie had buiIdrd here
city residence, which still stands He
[ had turned over his high Office to his
du!y-eiected successor. The republic
was very young, and the city OF Wash.
ingtou was yet to be built.
We have the same sort Of governmcn,
to-day, with slight notifications, that
/ Washington provided for the national
capital In January. 1891, President
Washington appointed three commits.
s.oners for the territory Of Columbia. .'
and those commissioners were the l0-
cal rulers until congress passed an act
approved May 3. 1902, authorizing the
president to appoint mayor for the
city.
The Historical society has published
the following letter, dated June B. lsn2
to Robert Brent. Esq. Of the city Of
Washington:
Dear Sir. The Act Of CsnErrss !uc5r
p'reiinE the city Of Washington has eon
H-"a 10 -" President Of the United S.atei
the apFo.n meUt OF a Mayor OF -he City A.
'Hr agency OF that officer vii be Immedl
aiely requisite. | am desIrgus TO avail the
Guy OF Your services In IT, II you viii per
NIT me- Geo send you the commission. / Nj
ASK ,he favor Of your ans wrr to this prop
osit.Dr.
"Wu you do me the favor u dining with
me the day after Tomorrow CFridayJ a
half pass three Accept ms friendly auc
respectful! ,aIuJauons.
TIL. JEFFERSON"
To this official note Rooert Brent re
piled as follows:
Washington. June J. Ia2.-Dear Sir. D.
have the honor Js receiving your favor Of
TINS date. Jsk!nE my acceptance OF the ap.
pOlu,mcnt Dt Mayor under the late act oi
congress for the Incorporation OF the city
/ Although feel Erca, Ilfilence in III.
/ talents I possess for eAeeutlug that duty, in
"A manner which may AFFORD general salts
/ faction, yet feeling II a duty to contribute
/ my feeble aid for la= public service. VIII
! venture upon its dudes.
/ Il beg you, sir. 10 accept my thanks fJr
the honor which you are about TO confer
on me. and for the ObIE!ug manner IN
which you have brel pleased to cUmmua!.
cate Il
, i VIII. with pleasure. accept your polite
/ Invitation 20 dinner on Friday next. WIZ
sentiments of much esteem and respect.
/ have The honor 10 ae. sir. Your Obt. Ser.
ROBERT BRENT"
There is the formal proifrr and &C
/ |ccptuucc OF the first mayoraIty of tn,
city Of Washington. There is the for
mulIiy, the Difference, the respectful
consideration displayed by the presi
dent to the private citizen; and ther,
We also see the considerable anc
. esteem of the citizen for the president
. l. is 4 matter Of record in the Historica
/ society that the dinner lasted from
three O'Clock until seven o'clock in tn,
evening. Thomas Jefferson was pres
iGcni Of d republic of about G,OOU,O0i
] people. Robert Brent was appointed
mayor OF a city of something like / SOC
Iroplc. There wus as much courtesy
and consideration displayed as though
Brent were being made minister tc
Great Britain.
By the act Of congress the appoint
mrnt Of mayor Of Washington wa.
made annual, and the president con.
,inued rrappoiu,iug Mr.. Brent uu;il
1872, when he decI.ntdfto serve loHg=I
because Of his incumbency Of other po.
sitious. lie was mayor of Washington
for ten years, judge of the orphans
court from 1906 to 1914 and paymas.
ter general Of the army from lsOS 10
1919.
Maniiestly President jefferson made
no mistake in selecting the first mayor
o. Washington city. He was reappoiut.
ed by successive presidents until other
ofticial duties Of importance compelled