Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-13

has been strongly backed and urged by
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, Several
years ago Senator Lodge urged President
Mckinley to appoint Mr.. West as a Com
missioner of the District.
The fight that has just ended in the ap-
pointment OF Mr.. West has been a long one
lasting from the death of Mr.. Ross in July
until today. There have been varying
phases to the contest, but throughout Mr.
West has been the most prominent candi-
date and the one closest at all times to ap-
pointment In other words, he has been
the personal choice Of the President, whose
effort throughout has been to find a way to
appoint his favorite.
a large number of candidates have been
urged more or less vigorously at different
times and the fight has been lively, al
though conducted throughout with little or
no personal bitterness.
Mr.. Vests Statement,
A reporter for The Evening Star saw Mr.
West shortly after his appointment. The
latter had just learned of the formal an
nouncement of his recognition by the Presi-
dent, and he said that he felt ii was too
soon to say anything of policies other than
in the broadest sense he should endeavor to
advance In every way the interests of the
District of Columbia.
Il appreciate the responsibilities of the
position to which President Roosevelt has
appointed me-" he said, ''and l hope that
the many years which l have spent in the
District will be a guarantee that. to the
best Of my ability, will give the District a
clean, progressive, satisfactory administra-
tion-fair TO all classes. and having always
In mind the constant development of the
national capital.
Il have already some acquaintance with
District leg slation, and l be elieve l know the
necessities of the District to their fullest
" r.i1 ypifb
representa- atives, who, after all, constitute
the court of final appeal for District people,
have been so Intimate and so pleasant for
So many years that / feel ! will be able to
go before Congress without being regarded d
az a total stranger.
II believe that a city too much governed
IL not well governed. and | am in favor OF
the most liberal administration consist ent
with law and order. | do not know that
can say anything more other than to ex-
press my sincere qualification at the honor
that has been conferred upon me, and TO
say that | shall enter upon the Office with
a determination to administer II, with the
assistance of my colleagues, without preju-
dice or animosty, but with desire to
make for myself a record Of which the city
and myself shall conformity be proud
The New Commissioner.
Henry Litchfield West Is known as a
magazine writer of reputation a student OF
national politics. a newspaper man of pro-
nounced aoillty ana public-spirited citi-
zen. AS contributor to the magazines he
has become one OF the editorial staff of the
Forum. AS a writer politics he has re-
ported fourteen national political conven-
tions. written numerous essays on various
phases Of political controversy and earned
. reputation for his picturesque reports OF
political meetings and the proceedings OF
Congress. He is practically a product oi
District of Columbia institutions His
energies have been devoted almost exclu.
sively to newspaper work.
His father was Robert A West, editor-In.
chief of the New York Commercial Adyer.
tiser. which accounts for the birth of ais
son, Henry Litchield, at Staten Island n
r., August 20, 1883. During the war of the
rebellion. probably about 1853, Mr.. r. A
West came to Washington to become ar
editorial writer on Forney's Chronicle ther