The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-28
IMPROVEMENTS Made
In REGISTERS OFFICE
Mr.. Dent lnaugurates Many
Advantageous Changes.
LAWYERS LIKE NEW SYSTEM
Work in the Office of Register of Wills
Put Upon a Systematic and Scientific
Basis-Mr Dents Long and Useful Ca
reer as Government EmplOye.

During the past two and a half years
there have been many changes in the
method of conducting the business of the
ONCE of the Register Of Wills for the Dis
trict
The incumbent, Louis A. Dent was ap-
pointed to the office in October. 1899. and
since then nearly the whole system Of
business has been completely changed.
To begin with. the name Of this branch
of the Supreme Court OF the District was
changed from Orphans Court to Probate
Court, by the recent codihers Of the laws
for the government of the District.
Immediately after Mr.. Dent took charge
Of the office he inaugurated many radical
changes in the methods which had been
in vogue. System was applied to every
thing in every branch OF the Office. In
order 70 carry out his plans greater and
better Office appointments and accOmmo-
daticns were necessary.
a large number Of clerks was also
necessary to inaugurate the changes in
the method OF receiving, filing, and caring
FOR the papers Of the Office.
The changes inaugurated were not only
applied to the current work, but also to
every paper which has been filed since
the establishment Of the Office Of Register
Of wills
This work has now practically been
completed. and at the close OF each day
The records of the office are practically
up TO date.
Work Was Not Impeded.
These changes. however, did not in the
least Interfere or impede the business Of
the office. Every change was an improve
-Gmcnt which facilitated rather than re-
tarded- business.
One of the most radical changes inau-
gurated was the system Of taxing costs
In all cases under consideration in the
Office.
This part Of the work has been placed
IN charge Of one particular clerk, and at
Z any time parties interested can any min
ute learn exactly what costs are cue.
II is the unanimous pOinion Of the bar
ONCE that IL is better conducted today
than at any time in its history.
first employment Oi Mr. Dent was
that Of a sJenOgraDher in the various
courts of the District. He then became
a clerk in the War and Treasury De
partments, and was subsequently trans
feTTed 10 the Department OF State tie
was the private secretary for the Hon.
Robert Z. Hit, and subsequently, the
private secretary and literary assistant Of
James @. Blaine he was also private
secretary 20 Secretary Of State, John W
Foster. While associated with Mr.. Blaine
he was also the official reporter of the
Maine EOuse Of representatives. While
in the Department of State, Mr.. Dent twice
made e tour OF inspection Of the Consular
Service IN the West Indies and Mexico, and
spent much time In this service through
out Cuba. He was twice United States
Consul at Kingston, Jamaica. His latest
appointment was in June, 1897. There Mir.
Dent found ample field to display his IN
aggressiveness, which are his main char
acteristics.
Services in Kingston.
Special facilities we're secured by Mr..
Dent for the coaling OF American vessels
in Kingston. and on one occasion it is
said he instigated the disabling Of the
Harvard's machinery that she might
evade the British neutrality proclama-
tion and remain in port for longer period
than twenty-four hours. for the purpose
Of sending dispatches from the American
feet, and receiving Instructions from the
Navy Department.
II was Consul Dent who proposed to Ad-
III.
and the pilot which be furnished for that
engagement was used by Commander Lu-
Glen Young upon the Hist on that ex-
petition, and during the remainder Of the
war.
The pilot Nunez, who recently figured
50 prominently IN the Schley-S Sampson in
YestigatiOn, was persuaded by Mr.. Dent TO
enter the American service. He was sent
in British steamer from Jamaica to Ad-
miral Schley. and by communicating with
FL the insurgents brought 70 the admiral the
first absolutely authentic information as
TO the Spanish feet In Santiago.
IL was also upon the urgent solicitation
Of Consul Dent that the blockade OF the
south side Of Cuba was decided upon.
Rewarded by the President.
As a reward for his services as consul
Of Kingston. Mr.. Dent was rendered by
President Mckinley the Office OF Register
Of Wills for the District of Columbia he
took the oath Of Oflce in October. 1883
Since then many reforms have been in
stituted BY him in the administration Of
his office. with a view TO facilitating the
business of the public, and an entire re-
organization effected OF an Office the sur
rounding conditions Of which demanded
energetic attention. At his request Pro
bate 4COurt g. now held every morning in
steady OF once a week as heretofore. His
one aim ms been % thoroughly organize
The system or harding the business OF
The Probate Court, and that he has sue
ceeded well Is the general verdict Of both
lawyers and laymen who come into con-
tact with the Office Of the Register OF
Wills.
s1.as To Baltimore and Re sI.a5