Evening star., 1897-04-14


schools of the District Of Columbia in 1885,
and served three years president of the
school board. and until appointed Commits
sioner OF the District of Columbia. He was
appointed postmaster of the city of Wash
fngton by President Cleveland and quail
fed February 1. 1888. and served in that
capacity until October 1. 1880. when he was
appointed by President Harrison Commits
sioner of the District of Columbia. and has
since continued In that Office, having been
reappointed by President Cleveland. His
popularity as a Commissioner is attested
by the fact that his nomination for a third
term by President Mckinley has been made
IN Difference to a general public desire for
lis reapDotntment.
Mr.. Ross Is a. man of mnst attractive
personality and his popularity as an indi-
vidual Is as wide as the esteem in which
he Is held as an official. He is approach
able by all conditions and classes of citi-
zens and gives patient and careful atten-
1on TO them with applaudable impart TALLY.
PROBABLY no man in the District Is so in
timately acquainted with the needs of the
local government so familiar with it's
relations to the various interests conduct
ed within Its boundaries. His personal ac-
Qudlntance. too, Is remarkably comprehen-
sive and II Is safe to say that indi-
vidual included within it does not hold
him In high regard
Mr. Ross has always been a democrat
Out IN the last campaign he took his place
win the members of his party who de-
clired to approve the platform adopted at
Cnicago and became what was known as
a gold democrat. He announced his at
tftLde On the subject in a letter written in
reply TO an invitation he received to act
as vice president at a meeting to be held
In this city during the campaign which
was to be addressed by William ]. Bryan
The letter was as follows:
col William Dickson, National Committee
Headquarters.
Dear Sir: Upon my return from n visit
TO the west on the morning of the 18th 1
had the honor to read your esteemed favor
of September IL notifying me that at a
recent meeting of the committee on organi-
zat1on perfectfng arrangements for the
reception to the Hon. William ]. Bryan and
Arthur SewaI ard ratification of their
nominations for President and Vice Presi-
dent of the United States. / had been
selected to act one of the vice presidents
of the meeting to be held on the afternoon
and evening of September 10, 1896.
The respect which l entertain for Mr..
Bryan as a man and statesman, based
upon a personal acquaintance with him
since he first became a member of Con-
gress. and the personal friendship which
grew out of that acquaintance, and the
fact that he Is native of Illinois and
graduate of Illinois College would induce
me to join willingly and gratefully with
my old democratic associates of the Dis
trict in any movement tending to show re-
spectful regard for him as a public man.
1t has been my desire since the Chicago
convection to become convinced that my
duty to the grand old organization with
which l have been identified ever since /
attained my majority required me to sup
port the ticket nsmed at Chicago, in spite
of sone of the declarations of the platform
with which 1 could not coincide. / sought
to persuade myself that Mr.. Bryan's train
ing as a lawyer would render him con-
seryative and safer than the tendencies
and the advice of maIy of the extreme
men who constructed that platform. My
time during my recent visit to Illinois
largely given to the consideration of these
questions and to the perusal of Mr.. Bryans
speeches and the arguments of other able
men on both sides of the financial ques-
tion. As a result of my deliberations /
cannot avoid the conclusion that, with all
of Mr.. Bryan's strength of character and
ability. he would, If elected. be dominated
by the Objectionable doctrines of the Chi
cago platform and of the one promulgated
by the populists at st. Louis. and that, as
result, the best interests of the entire
country would not be subserved by his cleo
ton.
While. therefore. if 1 were merely in
vited to join with other citizens of Wash
ington in showing respect to him as man,
/ would deem myself honored in participat-
ing, yet. inasmuch as the terms of the invi-
tation contemplate that by my acceptance
j must indorse the Chicago platform-al-
though adhere strictly to the fundamental
doctrines and all the old-time tenets of
the democratic partyI cannot consistently
see my way clear to accept the proffered
honor of acting as vice president OF the
meeting 1 beg to assure you that 1 ap-
part of the committee which prompted the
invitation. and that / hope that the recep-
ton to the distinguished guest of the day
may in every respect be worthy of the
tional capital 1 am, with great respect,
very truly yours.
(Signed) JOHN W. ROSS"
a Talk With Mr.. Wight.
Mr.. Wight conversed very pleasantly
with a Star reporter this afternoon on the
subject of his nomination, and freely out
lined the course that would actuate him in
the fulfllment of his duties.
II feel more honored than ! can express
at being nominated to be a Commissioner
of the District of Columbia said Mr..
Wight II was not an applicant for the
place. but having been honored with the
appointment / will DO my best to advance
the interests of the District in every way
L can No one loves it more than do,
Is more anxious to see Washington. what 1t
ought to be. the most beautiful capital in
the world I hope to have. and believe 1
will have. the support of all the people
who believe as l do. that the interests of
the District come first. and that all per-
sonal considerations are secondary.
Mr.. Ross Pleased With the Compli-
menf.
To a reporter Of The Star Commissioner
Ross expressed his qualification He was
not only pleased. he said, with the COM
of the people of the District Without their
support he did not want the Office. Beyond
that he had nothing to say
Andrew GleeSon was glad to hear the
good news Mr. Ross, he said, had made 2
good Conris sioner. and his appointment
was satisfactory to every one. Concerning
Mr.. John B. Wight he had the most pleas
ant things to say. MIR. Wight was repub-
iican. and all republicans were good men
He was, in addition, a careful man. honest
a "a raaE N-.II
dian of the Districts interests.
At the District Building.
Every clerk in the District building was
glad when he learned that Commissioner
Ross had been renominated TO succeed
himself No Commissioner has ever en-
deared himself more to those under him
than Commissioner Ross. He has been
looked upon as their friend ever since he
came into Office. There are few public
men who have such a legion of friends,
and when the District building opened this
morning and the citizens began to arrive
there was general satisfaction expressed
at the Presidents selection.
1t was 12:l5 o'clock when The Star re-
porter on duty at the District offices gave
the news of Commissioner Ross renomina-
ton Immediately the clerks went to visit
the president of the board and Dr4sS his