The times., 1897-03-29
FOR A CHANGE IN THE LAW |
The President Said to Favor a
Non Resident Commissioner.
CONGRESS MUST APPROVE
Mr.. Mckinley Desires to Appoint
New Men Unembarrassedb by Local
Entangleulents-G Gossip as to the
Chances of the Several Aspirants.
The Selections VIII Be Delayed.


r-
The contest for the two District Com
missionerships, which is Just now of more
local interest, perhaps, than any other
issue, has developed new and remark
able phase, according to weIl-informed
circles, and one which will be consequence
to District citizenship. This is the p:oba-
bility of the adoption of a proposition to
SO modify the organic law as TO permit
the appointment OF one on-resident as I.
member of the board.
It's said with great confidence, and
upon apparently good authority, that Presi-
dent Mckinley Is seriously considering
this suggestion; and, in view of his de-
clared purpose, to select as members Of
the board men who have been in nowise
associated with or embarrassed By local
ENHANCEMENT, it is believed he will favor
il. The method by which this could be
accomplished is only by legislative enact
ment, of course, and would involve delay
in tue choice OF Commissioners, ii, indeed
the Con grcss would Consent at all to the
new departure. The declaration is made
with great positigeness tnat the Presi lent S
intention is TO have a new deal IL is
understood to he his purpose, also, to
make no appointment OF Commissioner
just now, probably not before May or
June, for the sole reason, it is alleged
that he desires to have ample time TO
consider the situation, to the end that
the best interests OF the District may be
subservcd i'll the constitution of the bDard
He recognizes the municipal government
of Washington as an important adjunct To
the National Administration, and nat
urally wants tito be success
The fact that both the present civilian
Commissioners are being urged for reap
pointment is looked upon as ia tai to the
chances of both. 1t is argued that neither
could be appointed without seriously en-
barrasSing the Administra ton, and that
both cannot succeed. The Presiden would
be at a loss to explain his reasons for
failing TO appoint either, il one is left
out, and as d result there would be criti-
cism at the outset, which the President
wishes to avoid
Mr. Mckinley is not renewing the Hdr-
rison Administration nor indorsing the
levelaEd Administration in making ap-
pointnents, nor is he, in many cases re-
appointing men who have had already u
liberal share of official honor and emolu-
ments. This is accepted by many as
another Indication that neither Of the two
present Commissioners will be rcappointed
1t is declared, also in addition, that GER
tain Senators, some OF them Iuembers of
the District Commit tee, have been at the
White House to request the President not
TO appoint Col Truesdell, and yet other
Senators. possibly in conjunction with the
members Of the District Committee, have
given Mr. Mckinley 10 understand that
they VIII be at his service whenever he
shall he ready to consider these appoint
ments.
A very strong Senatorial influence is
back of Mr.. Ross. He ; also SAID to have
a most fiattering Endorsement from the
local business men Of the District. But
it is observed that the President has not
so far made appointments from the class
of known applicants, and of candidates
who submit papers and petitions II he
We're TO be governed by petitions Col
might well hopeto bereappointed,
for he IN understood to have on his papers
the name OF every local bank president
but one, and many Iaw wyers, doctors, cler-
EyInen. and priests, ana the Jewish rabbi,
a powerful support
That the President is taking notes of
current events, and that he will be gov
nrned, in some measure, by the record of
The present board, it is cited that hS made
inquiry recently as to the cause of the
late revocation of the order which re
luired trains to come TO full stop
before crossing streets where the tracks |
with street car lines-whch |
order was suspended after long aud |
successful, but bitter, legal fight and an |
appeal TO the highest District court. It |
S hinted that the Pennsylvania Railroad !
Company is likely to object to the ap- |
lointrnent of Col NJ NJ Parker's candi- |
date.
The fight of few years ago which the |
waged for termin al facilities is
ecalled, and it is remembered that Col.
Parker was the companys bitter uppo |
lent. He was then at the head of the |
Board of Trade, and used his position and |
he influence of the organization to back |
lp protest against the corupanys propo-
ition. President Mckinley was at the time
member of the House. Whether the big
'ennsylvauia corporation will forget and
orgive and permit Col. Parker to name
Commissioner remains to be seen.
This, in brief, is q recapitulation of the
current rumors. Mr.. Mckinley is said to
AVE made but one definite expression af-
Getting the Commission ership, and that is
he opinion that the District is not suffer
ng for want of a ch ange, and that it is his
purpose to appoint board which will give
he community the best service. His selec-
ions are likely TO be great surprise, and.
ontrary to the present general belief, the
made be made soon