Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-01

life one, and has hitherto been consid-
cred as such. Commander Brice was ap-
pointed by President Cleveland, April,
1897, and has made wonderful record as
Commissioner In speaking about the
change, Commander Brice said today:
Il leave the commission with no regrets.
On the contrary, II Il with great satisfac-
tfon that 1 review the work which has
been accomplished since L have been in
charge
When asked If his friends would make
any fight against the confirmation Of Mr..
Bowers, Commander Brice said: NO.
consider that, as the President has nomi-
mated another man, am entirely out of il,
and L have requested my friends not to
make any objection to the confirmation"
Although - may not be Commander
Brice's wish to fight the confirmation of
Mr.. Bowers, II is more than likely that the
nomination will excite some discussion in
the Senate on account of the law which
provides for appointment Of ] fish COM
mission and distinctly states that the Daan
In charge must have come scientific and
practical knowledge of fish and fisheries
commander Brice expects soon to leave for
California.
The New COmmissioner.
George NJ. Bowers was born at Gerar,ls-
town. Berkeley county, W. Va, in 1858,
and he has been a resident of that county
all his life At present his home is in
Martinsburg where he is a leading cfti-
zen and business man.
His father, the late John s. Bowers
died soon after the son attained his ma
Jority, and the latter at once took charge
Of the large estate left. In 1886, when but
twenty-three years old, he was elected to
the state legislature and was regarded
among the members of that body as being
able and industrious. Two years later he
was chosen director of the Cumberland
Valley Railroad Company
The same year. 1883, he was a candidate
for auditor on The republican ticket, when
General now judge Nathan Gcff was the
nominee for governor, but was defeated by
300 votes. During this campaign General
Goff frequently referred TO the candidate e
for auditor az his right bower After
the close of the campaign Mr.. Bowers was
elected vice chairman of the National Re-
publican League for the state of West Vir-
ginia, and within a short time thereafter
assisted in organizing 2S0 republican clubs
In 1890 President Harrison appointed
Mr. Powers supervisor of the census i'm
Wes, Virginia For his work in that
eacfty he was highly compfimented by
superintendent Robert p Porter
The following year Mr.. Bowers was ap-
pointed commissioner TO the worlds fair
by Governor Fleming of West Virginia.
and While at Chicago he served as treas
urer of the board of commissioners from
his state.
He was-a delegate to the presidential con-
vention of 1882. member OF the committcp
which notified General Harrison of his
nomination and chairman of the republican
committee of the second district of West
Virginia. In the, latter position he contin-
ued Tor four years. - -.
Mr.. Bowers is interested in a number of
enterprises lin Martinsburg being a di-
rector of two banks. president of the In
wood Park Company and" of the Martins
burg and Winchester Turnpike COMPANY.
besides having a prominent part in the
affairs Of other corporations.
His Qualifications.
Mr.. Bowers has spent much time in the
study Of iei tfyo,ogy and liz piscatio, nal
research He has the finest library along
th.s line that is to. be found this side OF
New York. When Mr.. Bowers was given
TO understand that in all probability he
would receive the appointment as fish COM
missioner, he at once took up that line of
work.
BY hard stud? snd close application Mr.
Bowers has been. able to prepare himself
for the position to which he has been ap-
pointed by. the President. He has not given
mrs time and attention to one particular
species or family of fish, but has made
study of all classes. He knows the habits
of the fish which frequent the waters Of
New England as well as those which float
In the waters of the south and the rivers
of the west The sslmon, the trout and the
bass have all come in for their share of at
tention.- Mr. Bowers has mapped out GER
tain lines which he expects TO follow.