The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-14
AT THE DISTRICT BUILDING.
Kindly Expressions Regarding Ex-
President Hurri~on's Personality.

EX-Presdent Harrison is well and
kindly remembered at the District Build
ing. It was during his Administration
that John w. Ross was first appointed
Commissioner. and several of the mino~
employees Of the District came into serv-
ice about the same time. During his Ad-
ministration Mr.. Harrison appointed four
civilian and two engineer Commission
ers. The former were John W. Doug
lass, Lemon G. Hine, Henry NJ. Robert,
| and John W. Ross, the latter receiving
his appointment September ,. 1890. The
Engineer Commissioners were G. w. Ray
mond and William T. RosselT.
In describing the circumstances sur
rounding his appointment, Mr.. Ross said
to Il Times reporter yesterday that he
was at the time postmaster of Washing
ton, and was temporarily away from
home in Philadelphia. He said that he re-
ceived telegram from President Harri-
son, requesting his return to the city
and his attendance at the White House.
Mr. Ross said that it was the first time
he had met the President. but that he
was received very cordially by Mr.. Har-
rison. Mr.. Ross said that the President
told him that his name had been pre-
sented to him as the most available man
in the District for the position of Com
missioner, and the office was rendered to
him.
Mr.. Ross informed the President that
he would like a few hours in which to
consider the matter. He went back that
same evening and told Mr. Harrison that
he would accept the place. 1t was also
at Mr.. Ross suggestion that his success
sor in the postofiice, Henry Sherwood
was appointed.
In speaking Of Mr.. Harrison. Mr. Ross
said that his relations with him were Of
the pieasantest description, and he said
that he had the highest regard for him
as a man, President. and statesman. He
belleNed he was actuated always by the
best motives, and he believed that the
Harrison Administration was one of the
cleanest the country ever had.
commissioner Henry Il. f. Macfarland
said:
Mr.. Harrison was one of those public
men who grow steadily during their ser
vice at Washington. When he first came
to the Senate he was not the interesting
and eloquent orator he aftcrward beca me.
Indeed, he sometimes emptied the Senate
Chamber when he arose to speak. partly
however, because his subjects were not
generally interesting. But by the time he
left the White House he had become cne
of the great orators of the country He
was a master of various forms of uratory.
He could deliver great Grafton: he was
crowd from the rear platform of a train,
and he was one of the few really fine
after-dinner speakers of the United
States.
He developed steadily als) as states
man and a political leader. The men
who had known MIN in the Senate were
surprised to see the development of his
mind in these respects. after lie became
President. If he had been re elected he
would probably have left a great name
behind him. But his defeat affected his
views of men and things unfavorably. and
he was never the same man afterwdrl.
What he has said and lone since must
be read in the light Of that fact. With
all deductions, however, IL must lie adj
mitted that he vas treat rrun, and that
a statesman mis- aims and his attain
ments were hign. tfis testimony 10 Chlfs-
tianity and especially to tie cause q for
elgn missions. notably wnen he presided
at the Worlds Conference of Missions i'll
New York two years ago, made an i'm
preston which similar testimony rom a
man Of less prominence and power might
not have made"