The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-27

- - SldNCu lIIdl lIIc pICSluSul IdS Oe-
cided to ignore the home-rule principle
in the case of the district office of re-
corder of deeds. The announced selec-
ton of J.. c. Dancy of North Carolina
for nomination after the holidays fol-
lows the fashion set by Mr.. Hayes in
1878, re-established by Mr.. Cleveland in
1856. and continued until the present
time despite the protests of the people
of the district and in the face of the
home rule pledges of both political par
ties.
The record as to this office instructive
at this time. The first keeper of the
records was ]. Marshall CAN'T. a To-
cal man, appointed by the United
States commissioners in charge of the
district in January, 1892. He served I'M
til 1920, when William Brent. another
district man, was chosen. hen came
under this title and others. the follow
ing residents of the federal capital as
incumbents: John A. Smith. N. G.
Toole, r. NJ. Hall, f. c.. Eddie. F. P.
Cuppy nd Simon Wolf. The last named
recorder was succeeded by George A.
Sheridan of Louisiana, in May, 1878.
Frederick Douglass entered the office
three years later, and was the last
district man to record the deeds to the
property of the people of Washington.
President Cleveland chose to regard
the office as part of the spells and ten
dered it to James G.. Matthews, of New
York. The people of the district as
sailed this nomination in part on the
ground of Matthews record, and eSpe-
cIallv because of the fact of his selec-
ton from beyond the district. He was
twice rejected by the senate, and serv-
ed only from August, 1886, to March.
1887. When he was finally rejected Mr..
T1oun1o nd ndrcicfn6 fo rnOr1inO tho
office as a %perouisite of the dominant
party, without regard to it's nature,
and gave it to James Irotter of Massa-
chusetts. who took his place in Marcel
1887. He was succeeded by Blanche K.
Bruce of Mississippi, in February. 1890.
In MAY, 1894. President Cleveland ap-
pointed c. H. J. Taylor Of Kansas, and
despite a sharp fight against his con-
firmation he w accepted by the, SEN
ate, and served until displaced by
Cheatham of North Carolina, in May.
1897.
This office has never been given to an
outsider with the consent of the people
OF Washington. They have always pro-
tested, as they now protest, that it is
a strictly local function, that the fees
Of the people indirectly support the es-
tabliShment, that the incumbent should
be a man familiar with local matters
and people. Thep point to the repeat
ed home-rule pledges Of the parties.
They particularly in this instance call
attention to the fact that the republi-
"a platform of 1896, upon which Pres
ident Mckinley was first elected. de-
clared that 1.-The federal office holders
appointed for the territories should be
selected from the bonafide residents
thereof. and the right of self-govern-
ment should be accorded to them as far
as practicable" They likewise recollect
in this connection the nomination for
the vice presidency in 1900, referring tC
the new possessions. declared:
1.-The minor places in the administra-
ton, where it is impossible to fill then
by natives, must be filled by the strict
est application of the merit principle
system. 1t is very important that IL
our own home administration the mere.
ly ministerial and administrative office:
where the duties are entirely non-politi.
cal, shall be filled absolutely without
reference to partisan affiliations; bu
this is many times more important il
the newly acquired islands. The meri
system is in it's essence Is demo-:
as our common school system, for /
simply means equal chances and fai
play for all"
Il is not too late for the president t
remedy his mistake and to square hi
treatment of the district with the part,
pledges and his own personal. high
minded views of public office. He cal
yet reconsider his selection Of Mr.. Dan
CIV and, in accordance with the princi
pies he has so often supported, bestoN
this purely local ministerial and ad
ministrative office" upon a native" @
the Observation-Disclosures Post. goth