The evening times., 1900-04-27

T. Maefsrland 10 be Commissioner Of the
District OF Columbia TO succeed COmmis-,
siouer John B. Wight and the nomination
Of Commissioner John W Ross TO succeed
himself
The choice Of Mr. Macfarland as the Re
publican member Of the Board OF Com
missioners is a surprise to nearly eyery-
one. although II Is now learned that his
name has been under consideration by the
President for several days Il has been
certain that Mr.. Wight would not be reap
pointed. but MIR Nacfarland's name has
not been among those talked about for the
place II is known. too that he has not
been a candidate for the place, and that
none Of the delegations which have visit
ed the President recently regarding the
COmmissioherships presented his name
Mr.. Msefarland was one Of q delegation
OF business men who called On the Presi-
dent some tine ago TO advocate the reap
pOintmeut OF Mr. Wight. Nr Mckinley
informed the delegation that il was out
CT the question and that another man
would have 70 be picked out either By him
self or by the Washington people
M Mcfarland was FIRST mentioned last
Monday 4 number OF business men csiIed
at the White House az the request OF Mr.
Mckinley Several names Of Republicans
were taken up and dismissed. and finally
the President suggested Mr. Mscfarland-
Those present aeqUiesced in the suggestion
and Mr. Aacfarland vas sent for MT
Mckinley was anxious 20 settle the mat
ter before be left the city and requested
Mr. Macfsriand 10 accept the appoint neat
at once. 50 that his name might BE- sent
10 the Senate that day. This M Macfar-
L. -
that decision shoalo be made today
Mr. MacfarIand-S Acceptance
SIR Macl~-'snd went to the VIE
House this morning with Charles J.
Bell and after further consul53ti-n NiJh
the President accepted the appoi1tmelt-
His name and Mr. Ross were at once st
70 the Senate. Mr.. Macfarland sa d
! have accepted. somewhat Reluctantly,
the Presidents appointment 10 the District
CommissiCnership rendered last Monday. 1.
Of course. appreciate highly the e. that
the President sent for ne Of his oNn NO-
hti0n, ana tnat acceptance was urged ~
those whom he consulted As Is vel
known. have steadily favored the reap
pointmenJ OF Mr. Wight. / never thought
OF the Office for myself, AID VIXEN IL vas
offered il seemed inpr1ctilab-e TO make
the personal sacrifice involved IN a-capt-
ing IT, I wOald not tsbe i had II net b N
urged as a matter Of civil duty By nCa
who have my regard and respect i Is
needless 10 say that I take IL without c.
legation 10 anyone. and an free TO DO 10
best ! can 70 justify the confidence shown
in me by the President and those who
urged ne 10 accept II confirmed BY ne
Senate 1 snail Try 10 serve TIE entire CON-
ulunlty faithfully. 7 an very glad 10 hear
Of the reappointment Of nay cid frierd.
ComEissiorer Ross"
The appointment OF NJ Nacfarland s
considered an excellent ore By business
men generally as well as by the numerous
church and charitable organizations with
which he is connected He has been a
resident OF Washington for many years and
has taken prominent part in the affairs
Of the city. though he has never held office-
He is the Washington correspondent OF the
Boston Herald" and Philadelphia Rec
ord and has other important newspaper
connections and has been considered ore
OF the foremost journalists Of the Capital
He has always been Republican. buI IS
not a politician.
The reappointment OF CcmmissiOner Ross
is regarded generally as a high compliment
20 him In speaking OF the matter TO
Times reporter today Nr. Ross said that he
appreciated very highly the confidence
which the President seemed 10 have in him.
and that ne felt grateful for the appoint
ment TO a fourth term as Commissioner.
AR Ross expressed the opinion that the
duties Of the ONCE were exactiag and Ia
borious. and that he had sometimes
thought he had earned a rest Bot The
support Of the people Of the District. re
said irrespective Of party. had been %
generous and cordial that IL left him 70
alternative but 20 continue in ofiCe-
The candidates for the Republican Com
missionership have been Ar- Wight. Who
desired reappOinJment; Charles F. Scott,
Police Judge Of the District and William
s Knox There has been much lively work
in the interests OF some OF these gentle
men, and during the past two or three
months there has been hardly . dsy IN
which at least one delegation has not called
al the White House.
The reappOintment OF Commissioned
Wight has been urged by many prominent
people and il was believed al first thIt
he had a very good chance for the place.
During the past month OF more. however.
the impression had become general tlat
the President had decided against him.
The failure Of Mr.. " ght Of reappoirtms Mt
after only one term Of service while Con-
missioner Ross. who has served several
terms, is continued in on e.
is considered a pointed and very
positive announcement OF the Presi ICHt's
feelings regarding Mr. Wight II Was
=
Ross might not be reappointed for the sole
reason that Mr.. Wight had to go and he
retention Of Mr.. Ross under the CircCm-
stances would be too conspicuous
Mr. Wight has made many friends fer
himself during his term as Commissioner,
but also the number Of his enemies has
increased on account of the way Ia which
he has conducted his office. The cuImi-
mating miSt-%S g bis Official career and
the one that made H. reappointmeu1 i'm
marks derogatory of the eolored popula-
tion of the District.
The New COmmis~i ~iOner-
Henry B. F. MacfsrIand vas born IN
Philadelphia, February IL. 1861, the eldest
child OF the late Joseph Macfarland 4
we'll known journalist His father brought
the family to Washington at the close %
the civil war. Mr. Maefarland was edu-
Gated in private schools graduated at Ritz
office Of the late William B. Webb. In
ton bureau Of the" Boston Herald and has
served there ever since, becoming chief os
the bureau in 1Ss2.
Since 1882 he has been the chief Wash
ington representative Of the philadelphia
Record He has written for the nagS-
zines and for other periodicals and is wide
| ly known as a thoroughly capable jour
nalist- Mr. Nacfarland has for years Ssken
deep interest in the civic affairs OF
| washington and has been active IN all
! movements for the improvement OF he
/ city. He is especially interested in ehari-
al - sNaUr-