Evening star., 1897-05-06
Congratulations Showered on Mr..
Ross and Mr.. Wight.
READY TO ASSUME OFFICE
Mr.. Wight Speaks Of Some Feat
ures of the Place.
FLOW ERS FOR MIR. ROSS

District Commissioner John B. Wight was
kept busy In his Office in the Ames build
Ing this morning receiving congrat ulations
over his confirmation and listening to as
snrances from representative citizens Of
their hearty support and loyal assistance
In the prosecution of his new and important
duties. A Star reporter was among the
callers and mad a pleasant chat with the
new Commissioner. Mr.. Wight said he
had filed his bond at the Treasury Depart
ment and it had been accepted by the au-
thorities.
The board Of Commissioners VIII not
reorganize until Saturday. Mr.. Ross will
not be ready to qualify for his new term
until that day. Mr.. Wight said 1t was
hardly necessary for him to again an
nounce the policy he would pursue as
Commissioner.
Il have stated that my whole purpose
will be to advance the interests of the
whole District said Mr.. Wight Il am
fully alive to the responsibilities which
1 must assume but l feel confident that
will have the support OF all good citizens
In taking care of them
There is one thing that 1 do not under
stand in connection with my appointment.
he continued. Il have received almost as
many expressions Of commiseration as l
have of congratulation, apparently based
on what many people either know to be or
suppose to be the disagreeable features Of
the Office. 1 am told by some that no
amount of money could induce them to lake
the position; by others that I'll never know
a pleasant hour until leave the place. and
SO FORTH 1t seems to me that while there
are disagreeable duties connected with
every position in every phase of life that
this position should not be made SO objec-.
tionable to cause 1t to be subject for
disparagement l presume there are occa-
sions, and perhaps many of them. when
a Commissioner must reply in the mega
tive to persons who ask fayors or who de-
mand what they believe to be their rights,
but when he feels that such a course is die
tated by the best motives and has for its
purpose the preservation of the true in
terests Of the community, it seems to me
that the consciousness of being right will
offset any criticisms that others may in
accordance with this view, at any rate,
and / hope that at the end Of my term
that will not regard my experience as un-
pleasant disagreeable."
When Commissioner Ross arrived at the
District building this morninE he found
that his friends had preceded him and had,
by their gifts of flowers, transformed his
desk into veritable bower OF roses. All
available space was filled with choice roses
and the air was laden with their perfume.
/ The Commissioner was radiant at the ex-
pressions of good VIII. He said 10 q re-
porter of The Star that he desired to ex-
friends who had stood by him, and that he
entered upon his third term with the firm
resolve to make better Commissioner
than ever before.
Bonds Approved.
The bord of Mr.. John B. Wight as a
Commissioner of the District of Columbia
was approved at the Treasury Department
today, and he may legally qualify and as
sumo the duties of the office as soon after
he receives his commission at his own con-
venience. The bond is for sJ0.OOO, and the
sureties are two non-residents. The paper
was first approved as to form and execu-
ton by Solicitor Reeve, and was finally ap-
proved as to sufficiency by Acting Secre-
his bond at the department this afternoon,
and 1t is now in course of examination. 1t
will undoubtedly be approved. 1t is ex-
pected that the new Commissioners will
qualify at the same time.