Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-07

am very much shocked to hear Of mis- de-
mise"
Mr.. Britton was a most excellent and
useful Citizen" said Mr.. Charles Maurice
Smith; respected by all because of his en-
ersy and public spiritedness. His death
means a great loss indeed to Washington"
Some Comment.
Mr.. Charles J. Bell, the president of the
American Security and Trust Company,
said today that he felt such a personal loss
in the death of Colonel Britton that he could
not talk about It at this time.
General George H. Harries said today.
speaking of Colonel Britton's death, that
the city had lost one of the most forceful
men, one who had always believed in and
worked for Washington. He himself had
lost one of his warmest and best friends.
'Col. Britton was beyond doubt one OF
the best all-around men we ever had In
the District. and nothing but good can be
said of him. said Major Samuel H. Walk
er. Personally he was man or large ac-
quaintance and had the highest social
standing. His judgment was respected by
everybody. Before starting the American
Security and Trust Company on success
full career he was the life Of the Columbia
Bank. He was man whose death will be
regretted by everybody
Colonel Britton was a man about whom
everything good could be said," Judge Kim
ball said, land his loss will be very greatly
felt by a large circle of friends and ad-
mirers He was man who was partfcu-
iarly active in all matters which he believed
were for the best interests of the District.
He was a man of the very highest char
acter, and too much good cannot be said
about him.
Regret Everywhere.
When the news of Mr.. Brittons death
reached F street today there was general
expression of regret. and the leading busi-
ness men of the city in one accord spoke
of the great loss the city had suffered.
He was one of the most forceful men
have ever known" said Mr.. John Joy Ed
son, referring to Mr.. Britton. TT is we'll
known he was the leading land lawyer Of
the United States, and in addition was at
torney for several railroads. During the
past ten years he has taken an active in
terest in various business enterprises and
in local affairs Of the District. Everything
that pertafned to the advancement of the
interests of the District appealed to him.
and he could always be relied upon for in
teiiigent and correct counsel / consider his
death Is a great loss to the District and
the business community here, as well as
to his profession. 1t is well known that
largely through his efforts the new District
code of laws was prepared and is now
ready to be submitted to Congress- Per-
sonally deeply regret his DEATH
L have known Mr.. Britton," said Mr..
Noble D. Larner, "since 1861, when he was
a clerk In the general land office, and L was
in the pension office. He was man who
entertained his own opinions and expressed
them regardless of what any one might
think of them. He was one of the most in
dependent men 1 have ever known. Some
time ago | asked him If he had ever known
Senator Simmons of Rhode Island, and L
then learned that it was Senator Simmons
who brought Mr.. Britton to Washington
and secured place in the general land
office for him.
Reconnaissance Douglas was intimately
acquainted with Mr.. Britton.
Courage, intelligence and industry made
him what he was said Mr.. Douglas to-
day. He was a lawyer of pronounced
ability, and his views, as expressed for a
long period in the Financial Review were
always exceedingly clever. He had a re-
markedly retentive memory, and had a
large fund of information at his fingers
ends. Only a week ago / met him on the
street. and he was telling me regarding his
business methods. He remarked that he
had a record in his office of every business
transaction of his entire lifetime. Mr.. Brit
ton was outspoken and 1 always felt well
satisfied that 1 could rely implicitly on
whatever he promised me. He was scrupu-
lcusly careful to keep his promise on all oc
casions."
II have known Mr.. Britton for fifteen
years. said Mr.. Louis D. Wine. land I
have always admired his admirable bust
ness ability, his uprightness of character
and his personal qualities. 1 am sure his
loss to the city will be felt for many years
to come"
only day before yesterday 1 met Mr..
Britton while at luncheon said Mr.. J.
Fred Kelley. "and while taking lunch the
proprietor of the place was complaining of
some carelessness on the part of one of the
men employed there Mr. Britton listened
for some time and then said: If he was
more careful, perhaps he wouldn't be work.
ing for you Mr. Britton was thoroughly
companionable man, outspoken on all occa-
siOns and possessed of degree of ability
and integrity that would have Won him sue
cess in any profession"
Although l had said Captain Lansing
H Beach. the District Engineer Commits
sioner, but slight acquaintance with Mr..
Britton. knew him we'll enough to observe
that he was man who was always inter-
ested in everything beneficial to the inter
ests of the District. / know too, that he
never hesitated to do what he could to pro-
mote these interests, and / therefore feel
that his death cannot but be a loss to the
District"
an the death of Col. Britton," said Mr..
Frank P. Madigan, 1.-The District loses one
of its best citizens. He was always kind
hearted and public-spirited. and was par
are many of our respected citizens who
owe their present standing in the commun
ity to the good advice of Col. Britton. All
classes alike, however, will miss him, and
no words can express his many good quail
ties
Campbell Darlington said: There was
probably no man in the community who en-
joyed the confidence and esteem of the peo-
pie generally as did Col. Britton He was
a man who had achieved success in every
thing he had undertaken, and 1t was due to
his good work and influence that many a
young man was brought from obscurity and
placed in a position to make mark in the
world Col. Britton was man who knew
the needs of the people perhaps as well as
almost any other citizen, and his every act
showed the deep interest he had in the
affairs of the District There was nothing
of a selfish nature In his character, and his
life is a monument that will guide many
and will last longer than any marble shaft
that can be erected.