The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-10


Ross yesterday assumed their duties IS
District Commissioners. the former sue
ceeding John B. Wight and the latter be-
ing his own successor. In the organiza-
ton of the new Board MIR. Mcfarland was
chosen President, and his first official act
was to approve the appointment of Will
liam Pallas as additional private of the
police force.
The official farewell of Mr.. Wight and
the installation of Messrs. Ross and Mac
farland in Office was made the occasion OF
special tribute to the outgoing Commits
sioner by the employees of the District.
1t had been previously arranged that the
organization of the Board should take
place at IL o'clock, and promptly at that
hour Mr.. Mcfarland, in company with
John W. Douglass former Commissioner.
came 10 the District Building and went TO
the room of Commissioner Wight, Whe.e
already several gifts of flowers 10 MI.
mcfarland had preceded him.
few minutes later the District Asses
sor, H. II. Darneille, entered and invited
Messrs. Wight and Mcfarland into tie
Board room, where all the heads OF &C.
partments. clerks. and employees Of the
duties had gathered. Mr.. Ross also was
present. AS Commissioner Wight took his
accustomed place at the Board table DR..
William c. Woodward. the Health Officer
of the District, approached him and said
in behalf of those present:
A Tribnte of Friendship.
"Mr. Commissioner: Several days ago
was requested to represent the employees
of the District Government at this, our
farewell meeting. Because of the painful
character of the task. and of the absence
of any special qualifications on my Part,
l hesitated long before accepting the office
/ was much relieved. therefore. yesterday
to learn that one far better fitted for such
work than l had undertaken to perform
this duty. / was not, however. surprised
to learn this morning that these, my Off
cial associates, Mad come to the conclusion
that it was impossible for any one man to
fittingly express their deep appreciation OF
the many kindnesses which you have shown
to them, and of the vaiue of your guidance
and friendship in enabling them to per-
form properly the duties which have de-
volved upon them. l. therefore. as their
representative. take up the task SO as to
make-the beginning for a proper climax.
why a medical man should have been Sc
lected for this duty; possibly it was
delicate sense of the fitness Of things which
indicate to them that a physician usually
officiated at the close of life, and that BY
the present arrangement the necessity for
the services of the coroner would be avoid
ed. There is. Mr.. Commissioner. mys-
terry about this wonderful thing which we
call life which the human mind has from
-, hau Oirp nff limo ctr off foot
ually to solve From one point it is sim
pie individual unit; from another. il is a
compound of many elements-minor lives
so to speak. home life, business life,
spiritual life. and with some Of us an
official life, all interviewer and yet dis
tinct.
Three years ago you were sudden y
called from your previous environment and
ushered into new associations ana into new
duties. Your official life began. We were
then strangers. but during the time which
has elapsed We have fought together in the
battle against ignorance. and crime, and
poverty. and disease, and misfortune. Many
times the conflict has been a difficult one.
and there were forces to be opposed and
overcome. which only those who have Teen
engaged in the strife can appreciate. You
have fostered plans which had been out
lined by your predecessors. and brought
them TO completion; you have inaugurated
new schemes for the benefit ct the commu-
nifty. and carried them to successful termi-
nations, and you have laid out for the COM
munity undertakings which now must lie
left to be carried Oh by others. Such. tow-
ever. is official life
We, your friends, wish and expect that
you Will be with us in the community for
many years TO come SO that you may see
the fruition of your labor. But wherever
you may be, may good health and kindly
fortune be with you. We who remain be-
hind will do better work for the inspira-
ton drawn from three years service With
you, and will ever be proud, if We may
say that We have been numbered among
your friends
A Present for Mr.. Wight
The employees of the District had con-