The times., 1901-03-14
AT THE DISTRICT BUILDING.
Kindly Expressions Regarding EN-
President HnrriSon's Personality.

EX-President Harrison Is well and
kindly remembered at the District Build
ing. 1t was during his Administration
that John W. Ross was first appointed
Commissioner. and several of the minor
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 We're John w. Doug
lass, Lemon 6. Hine, Henry NJ. Robert,
and John w Ross, the latter receiving
his appointment September 3. 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-
ceiVCd a telegram from President IIarri-
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-
rson. 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 few hours in which to
consider the matter. He went back that
same evening and told Mr. Harrison that
ne would accept the place IT was also
al Mr. Ross suggestion that his success
sor in the postofice. Henry Sherwood
was appointed,
N KING ~ n Nv,
said that his relations with him were of
the pleasantest description, and he said
that he had the highest regard for him
as a man, President. and statesman He
believed 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 +. +. MacfaraHd
said:
Mr.. Harrison was one Of those public
men who grow steadily during tneir ser
vice at Washington. When he first came
to the Senate he was not the interesting
and eloquent orator he afterward beca me.
indeed, ne sometimes emptied the Senate
Chamber when ne arose to speak, pa rtly
however because his subjects We're not
generally interesting. But by the time he
left the White House he had become one
of the great orators of the country. He
was master Of various forms of ur8tory.
He could deliver great Grafton: ne was
a nrSt-claSS debater, ne could hold q
crowd from the rear platform of train,
and he was one Of the few really fine
after-dinner speakers of the United
States
He developed steadily also as a states
man and as q political lrader. The men
who had known MIN in the Senate We're
surprised to see the Development of his
mind in these respects, after he became
President II he had been re elected he
would probably have left q great name
behind him. But his defeat affected his
views OF men and things unfaYorably. and
he was never the same man afterWdTd
What he has said and lone since must
be read in the light Of that fact. With
all deductions however, il must ue ad-
mitted that he STas a Sreat nan, and that
as a statesman mis- aims and his attain
ments were hign. Ills testimony 10 Chlis-
tianity and especially to tie cause Cf for
eign missions, Notably when he presided
at the World . Conference Of Missions IN
New York two years ago made an i'm
preston which similar testimony rom q
man OF less prominence and power might
not have made.