The times., 1897-12-06

Commissioner Ross, president ofthe Eoard
of District Commissioners, last week Of
fered his Tesignatio to President Me cEinley
There has cen Il. great deal of frict:on
ana unpIea sautness at tie District Euild
ing during the last two weeks. The Com
missioners We're for a tiLe fr.evousiy at
outs, aud On Commissioners Ross rart ndig-
nation weIt SO far that he took this decisive
step This renarkable split IN tie board
is acknS wiedeed To ua} t Teen causei 10y a
talebearer, who, mole q an al, told IN
truths snG hetFa yed cunfidences, accord
ing To the statements OF tie Commission
ers themselves. How much worse things
he did cannot be learned IT present, but
il is estimated that has ofienses We're so
numerous and so grave that there is now, or
viii he soon, vacancy III his position.
1t is stated that this malicious ms chef
maker is rot an cmploye OF the District
government.
Commissioner Ross has not been entirely
In accord with the other members Of the
board for some time past. There Lave
been differences OF opinion atout greater
and lesser matters which however, ave
not led Il. open rupture at any tilae.
A week ago MIR. Ross went TO he White
House quietly and in a private interview
with The President. rendered his resign alton.
II is rot known what reasons he alleged
for his course. except that he said his
health was had.
lie tnen announced this step to lie other
Commissioners. Thesegentlemen we're much
surprised and chagrined, ana there was
inincdiatel, fun perscnai explanation
OF all that had occurred and sfrcnS re-
quest by them that Mt Ioss wOI!' re-
consider his Gel orn.ration 10 resign. he
President las lot yet accepted his reslgna-
ton, and it is stated by the oth'r Com
miSsioncrs that MI. Ross now intends 80
withdraw 1t.
reporter fer The Times ye. ter,iar saw
, Mr.. wight about the affair. That gentleman
made he following statement
Il do not care t. say who IL was tlat
caused this Trouble. Uutruths We're told
Commissioner Ross about remarks of the
other Commissioners. Wren he learned
| from US that they were untruths our fer
mer friendly relations Were restored en-
tirely. 1t is rot true that there have
been stormy times ia hoard meetings.
Mr. Wight also stated THAT Mr. Ross had
made the explanation To bin that ls Ge-
termination to resign had been raused
/ largely by his i'll health.
Although Tot at any time seriously i'll,
/ Mr.. Ross has been indiSposed for several
/ montis. from TIE effects Of an attack OF
| grip. He stated TO Mr.. Wight that the
! worry of frictiGn in the board mad 5een
! bad for his health.
| Mr.. Ross is expected back at his 'lesk
| today. or early this week, the other Cpnl-
miSsiuners state. He has divorced aim
| se,f from the office entirely during his
| absence. receiving no office mail, and
t senGng no word Of lds movements.
Nj. Ross has seen the longest service
| and acquired the largest experience Il
| the Board of Commissioners. Ills knoyl
edge of the District government is large
| and accurate, and by nearly all classes oi
people IN tie District he is considered an
excellent ard Invaluable man for the po
sition he fills. The hope is expressed by
a grsat many people that he VIII see I'll
To remain o. tie board.