The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-03

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to
President Mckinley now that his political
associates in Congress are doing all they
can to disrupt the Republican organiza-
tion, that he should be subjected to the
added pain Of hearing the indignant pro-
tests Of the ninety thousand negro. Italian,
and Irish residents Of the District who
have been described and classed en- bloc
by Mr.. John b. Wight President Of the
Board Of District Commissioners, as
chronic and babitual lawbreakers equal
TO the criminal conditions in any city
The President may not regard himself as
responsible for the prejudices. vagaries, or
Inaccuracies Of the official in question, but
Il must be remembered that the latter is
his own appointee. and that since the APP
pointmeut, there have been numerous cir
cumstances and developments tending to
show that il was made without adequate
enquiry into the qualifications Of the bene-
aciary. Mr.. Wight. whose own opinion Of
his ability and good intentions may be ex-
cellent. has never been representative Of
anything here or elsewhere His eleva-
tion to the Office he holds was a disagree
able surprise to a great majority Of Dis
trict citizens. and his course since assum-
ing the Presidency Of the Board has not
been Of a character to change public opin-
ion with regard to him. Yet in spite Of
his natural limitations. owing to the weak
ness Of the Democratic representative in
the Commission he has been able 70 con-
troll and run the Board with no satisfsc-
ton to anybody but himself and perhaps
a select number OF interested friends and
hackers. His latest performance, in Great
ing a new class Of misdemeanauts. hitherto
unknown to the science Of criminology,
and consisting Of ninety thousand ne
groes. Italians. and Irish. will, We as
sumo with confidence render it as i'm
possible as Il would be improper for the
President 10 reappoint him on the expirs-
lion Of his term.
Mr. Mckinley must realize by this time
that, if anything it is more important that
able. upright, and representative men
should be appointed to responsible Offices
in the District of Columbia, than in out
lying parts and provinces Of the country.
The President Of the United States is, in
the largest sense. mayor Of Washington.
Other cities Of the Union may be well or
badly governed without concerning the ma
tional authorities; but 1t is different in
the case Of the Capital. Its peace. solvency,
sanitation. and decorum are matters di-
rectly connected with the record Of the
President and his Administration. and re-
suits are watched and criticised through
out the Union. Federal officials in Alaska
or Oklahoma may indulge in errors Of
commission or omission. and. 81 they be
not very fragrant or criminal. nothing
much will be thought or said outside OF
the immediate locality. But as TO this
great municipality OF the United States
The whole country sits in judgment on the
officers who. for practical purposes. are its
mayor and common council. and holds them
responsible for its economical and respect
able government
Mr. Mckinley made one Of the numerous
mistakes OF his Administration in putting
Mr. Wight in a position 10 iniure him po-
utically just on the eve OF Presidential
contest which does not look any too prom
Using for the party or the people now in
power; but as far as the case IN point is
concerned, most Of the III effects may per
maps be Deutralized by prompt removal of
the offender. Mr.. Wight is not the kind Of
man to be missed from public life.