The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-28

The nomination Of Henry B. T. Nacfar-
land as District Commissioner. as success
sor to Commissioner John B. Wright and
of Commissioner John W. Ross to succeed
himself. sent TO the Senate by President
Mckinley yesterday. seemed to inset with
very general satisfaction. Among represen-
tative business men and people ideuuied
with the city's welfare in sll lines, st tie
Cauitol end at the District Building. there
were commentators OF the choice Of Mi.
Mscfarlsnd as the new Republican COM
missioner and pleasant words for Mr. Ross
as an efficient and able Commissioner AID
man OF most attractive personality.
voiced in many ways.
The nominations were the subject Of
conversation everywhere. The retention
of Commissioner Ross was generally
expected The nomination of Mr. Mac
fsrland, however. was a surprise TO every
one except the few people that have b. en
consulted by Mr.. Mckinley during The
past week.
II is stated that there was yery nt'le
politics in Mr.. Macfarsnd's choice. He
was not a candidate for the position ana
HIS name was not mentioned 10 the resi-
dent by any Of the hundreds OF people tsat
.
the past few months with reference 10 he
commissionerships The President IL S
said made the choice himself. llom b 5
personal friendship gith Mr. Macf7r'and
and knowledge OF his ability and integ-
rity.
Pressure for Candidates.
Mr.. Wight was the candidate Of the
Board Of Trade. at least TO a certain ex-
tent William S. Knox was supported
warmly by the Business Mems Associa-
tion. Judge Charles F. Scott was favored
BY the District bar The President has re-
ceIved numerous delegations in the inter
ests OF all OF these gentlemen. and has
been forcibly impressed with the fact that
they all have many friends. Mr.. Macfar-
land was the dark horse. None Of the fac
tiOns viii find him personally oistasteiul,
and none Of them viii have the opportu-
nifty Of taking offence at the choice Of a
candidate OF a rival faction.
The candidacy of C0mmissioner Wight
for reappointment has been the most
prominent. but at the same time it has
been quite generally understood by those
close TO the President that his chances
were not good He has made numerous
enemies by the admins ration OF the va
rious departments over which he has had
control In addition 10 this there has been
a strong feeling that he was too much
under the influence Of powerful corporate
and private interests to do entire justice
TO the interests Of the people ID large. His
appointment is said TO have been at the
instance OF a powerful railway company,
and he has been supported and upheld
strenn0usly by q lOcsl newspaper.
In this connection it is stated bv an cX-
cellent authority that the newspaper which
first championed Mr.. Wight iu everything
has very recently turned against him be-
cause Of his inability 10 do an that was
expected CT him. and iJ is further sug-
gested that il has been partly because Of
this coldness Of a former influential friend
that he has failed OF reappoiBtment
The last mistake Of Mr. Wight was in
his statement a short tImt ago that the
criminal class Of the District is largely
found in the cOlored population. This
statement raised a storm of protest from
The entire race. and il Is known that IL
had much to do with his final rejection.
The reappointment of M Ross for
fourth term. while M Wight although a
candidate, failed to secure denomination
Is. therefore. considered as pointed and
unmistskable evidence OF the Presidents
position with regard to the gentleman
he originally chose as Republican Com
missioner
Mr. Macfarlsnd was ole Of a delegation
In the interest of Nj. Wight which called
at the White House two weeks azO. This
delegation, It is said, was then told posi-
lively by Mr. Mckinley ,hat the-a was no
chance FOR Mr. Wight and that another
candidate must be chosen. The name Of
Mr.. Mscfarland was suggested by the
President TO several promineu. business
men on last Monday during a conference
over the Republican commissi1ne-ship
Mr Macfarland was sent for AMI asked 10
accept Immediately. He stated that he
was not ready to make answer. and was
given until the Presidents return TO the
city TO decide.
Mr.. MRcfarInnd Accepts.
Yesterday morning he went 90 inc white |
House again with Charles j. Bell and ac-
Cepted the position. The nomination was
Immediately sent to the Senate
Mr. Mscfsrland said. regarding his ap-
pointment. to a Times reporter. yester-
day afternoon:
4 have accepted. somewhat reluctantly.
the Presidents appointment 20 the ID strict
Commissionership rendered last Monday. I,
OF course. appreciate highly the fact that
the President sent for Sc Of his own No-
lition, and that acceptance was urged by
those whom he consulted As is wei
known. ! have steadily favored The reap
pointment Of Mr.. Wight ] never thought 4
of the Office for myself. aud when it Was
offered it seemed impractiaah,e 10 make .
the personal sacrifice involved 10 acept- Z
ing il. I would not take il had DO not en-
urged as n matter Of civil duty by men
who have my regard and respect. II Is I
needless 10 say that ! take il without OBJ |
legation 10 anyone. and am free 10 DO the
best l can to justify the confidence shown I
in me by the President and those who
urged ne to accept Il confirmed by the
Senate I shall try to serve the entire COM
munlty faithfully. ] am very glad 10 hear
Of the reappoiutmeut of my old friend. /
Comm issioner Ross"
Mr. Ross was also summoned 90 the /
White House yesterday and for the same /
purpose as Mr.. Mcfarland. il is stated !
on the best authority that Mr. Ross has
not az any time pushed his candidacy or 4
asked others 20 do So for him
In speaking OF bis appointment TO o I
Times reporter yesterday be- said that be Z
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