The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-11-25

The retirement OF ]. Harrison johnson
from the board Of assistant assessors was
announced late yesterday afternoon by the
Commissioners. and a number OF impor-
tant changes in the various Offices Of the
District Commissioners were occasioned
thereby. The District Assessor. Matthew
Trimble. has been appointed to the vacancy
caused by Mr. Johnson's resignation;
Hopewell II. DarnIeIle. disbursing officer,
was made Assessor. and Charles Rogers,
deputy disbursing officer, viii be disburs-
ing officer. The resignation Of Mr. John
son takes effect November 90, the ap-
pointments being made from December /.
The retirement of Mr.. Johnson did not
- occasion any surprise in the Office of the
District Commissioners. as he has been in
ill health for the last three months and at
one time il was thought shat he would not
live His health has improved during the
last two months, however although he is
Yet very weak and feeble. and il was not
thought advisable for him 10 undertake to
perform the duties Of his Office, which were
very cOnfining and required strict atten-
ton Mr.. johnson has been chairman Of
the board OF assistant assessors ever since
the creation Of the board by act OF Con-
gress in 1888. The board also acts as the
@
ing Of all liquor licenses.
The Commissioners expressed great re-
gTet al being compelled TO accept the Tesig-
naticn Of Mr.. Johnson, and while in ses-
sion today Commissioner Ross spoke feel
ingly of the valuable service he had rem
dered the District during his five years
iucumbency of the two offices. Mr.. Ross
said that Mr.. Johnson was one of the most
palns taking officials in the Government
employ and had excellent qualifications for
a presiding officer. The work Of assessing
the property in the District, which was
performed by the board of which Mr.
johnson was chairman, was one of the
most important branches Of the District
government, he said and il is not probable
that the Commissioners could ever secure
man who would ill the position better
than the retiring officer.
Matthew Trimble, the Assessor of the
District, who takes Mr.. Johnson's place
on the excise board and the board of as
sistant assessors, has been in the employ
OF the District for a number OF years and
has fled several positions under the Dis
1rict government. His Office transacts a
greater amount Of business Of a clerical
nature than any other Office under the
Commissioners supervision having charge
Of all the assessments and the taxing Of
al the property in the District He has
filled the Office Of Assessor for nine years
and has given great satisfaction to the
Commissioners and to the general public.
The position which Mr.. Trimble will as
sumo has q smaller salary attached than
that OF Assessor, but it is believed that he
is the best available man who is qualified
10 I'll Mr.. Johnson's place so the appoint
ment was made after a long consultation
among the District officials
HopeWeH H. Darneille, who succeeds
Assessor Trimble. has been in the employ
OF the District government ever since he
was a small boy. He has always been one
OF the most popular men in the service,
and was promoted gradually until July
1898. when the position Of disbursing Of
fcer Of the District was created FOR him.
Before this be had been the District pay
master. He has q wide acquaintance
among the business men OF the District
and has performed all OF the duties OF his
position as disbursing officer with great
credit 10 himself and 70 the Office, the
Commissioners say. The disbursiug Of
hcer has charge Of all the funds that are
disbursed by the District, and is required
TO give bond 10 the amount Of $50 000.
The new disbursing officer Charles
Rogers, has been deputy disbuTsing officer
for some time past and is well~qualifed
FOR the position 10 which be has been APP
pointed. de, too, has a wide acquaintance
among the business men of the District,
and Is very popular with the clerks Of the
Commissioners Offices. The appointment
Of Mr. Rogers was a surprise TO everyone
in the District Building and 10 none more
so than the sppointee.
The Commissioners did not make the
appointments public until shortly before
3 O'Clock. but the news quickly spread
throughout the building, and the fortunate
officials were compelled TO hold impromptu
receptions 10 their friends who wished 10