Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-08-19
They are making history for the Iu-
ture. and ct is well that they are doing

~ 80 AiStOA III tAC III
ture. and ct is well that they are doing
SO.
At recent meeting of the society a
paper was read which gives history of
the first mayor of Washington. Rob-
1912; period of II years. and at time
when the capital city of this republic
was little bit of a village.
George Washington had seen the frui-
ton of his dream of a stable republic.
He had sheathefi 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
duy-elected successor. The republic
was very young, and the city of Wash
ington was yet to be built.
We have the same sort of government
to-day. with slight notifications, that
Washington provided for the national
capital. In January, 1871, President
Washington appointed three commits
| s.oners for the territory of Columbia -
and those commissioners were the To-
cal rulers until congress passed an act
approved May 3. 1902, authorizing the
president to appoint a mayor for the
city.
The Historical society has published
the following letter, dated June 3, 1902,
to Robert Brent, Esq, of the city of
Washington:
Dear Sir: The Act of Congress incor-
porating the City of Washingtonehas con-
| fided to the President of the United States
the appointment of Mayor of the City. As
the agency of that officer will be immedi-
ately requisite, l am DESTROYS to avail the
City of your services in it, If you will per
init me to send you the commission. I 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 (Friday). Al
half past three? Accept my friendly anc
I respectful salutations.
..TH. JEFFERSON"
To this official note Robert Brent re-
piled as follows:
Washington, June 3, 1S02.-Dear Sir:
have the honor of receiving your favor o:
tthlS date, asking my acceptance of the ap-
pointment of Mayor. under the late act OF
congress for the incorporat ton of the city
! Although l feel great diffidence in the
I talents possess for executing that duty, IL
a manner which may afford general salts
! faction, yet feeling it duty to contribute
my feeble aid for the public service, l will
venture upon Its duties.
Il beg you, sir, to accept my thanks for
| the honor which you are about to confer
on me, and for the obiiging manner in
which you have been pleased TO communi-
| cate it,
II will. with pleasure, accept your polite
! invitation to dinner Friday next With
sentiments of much esteem and respect,
have the honor to be, sir, Your obi Ser,
! ROBERT BRENT
There is the formal proffer and ac-
ceptance of the first mayoraIty of the
city of Washington. There is the for
mality, the Difference, the respectful
consideration displayed by the presi-
dent to the private citizen; and there
we also see the consideration and
esteem of the citizen for the president
! II is matter of record in the Historical
Society that the dinner lasted from
three o'clock until seven o'clock in the
evening. Thomas jefferson was pres.
iGent of republic of about 100000
people. Robert Brent was appointed
mayor of a city of something like SOC
people. There was as much courtesy
and consideration displayed as though
Brent were being made minister to
Great Britain.
By the act of congress the appoint
ment of a mavor of Washington was