The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-08-01

spread generous gifts Of protection and
shade for the wayfarers beneath
Commissioner Ross was a lawyer of
-epute. lecturer to a university. direc-
tor of public educa ton, the trustee OF a
hospital, public servant high in the Of
| fees of state. He was all these things be-
fore he became Commissioner of the
| District of Columbia. But 1t Is as Com
missioner Ross that he will always be
remembered. For out Of the twenty-four
years since 1878, when it was perma-
nently decided 10 place the government
of the District In the hands of three
Commissioners appointed by the Presi
dent, twelve of those years have seen
Commissioner Ross in Office. Under this
new government, the District has dou-
bled its population and It's wealth, and
Washington has become the most beau
tiful Capital Of the world. Moreover, 1t
is especially due to his interest, elo-
quence, and energy that Congress has
granted the appropriation for the new
District Building soon to be erected on
pennsylvania Avenue. The acquisition OF
these great gifts of men, money, and
beauty is largely owing to this man,
who lies so still and quietly before US.
He displayed. in these twelve years
OF his Commissionership. an integrity
and answering honesty all men bear
witness to. There was not money
enough in the city OF Washington to
tempt him to dishonorable thing He
bore himself with a kindness beautiful
to behold, and threw into the meanest
and most common duties of his office
the courtesy Of a gentle heart. Thus
he won the love of rich and poor and
black and white. Thus he made small
things great; thus he kept his friend
ships durable from the daily dust of
life. He made his office a mirror for
his bravery; he had the patient tactful
courage OF his convictions, for he knew
what he believed. And finally Com
missioner Ross displayed in those long
and crowded years the chief virtue of a
citizen of a great Republic noble
and uDselish patriotism. He dedicated
his powers not TO ambition but to SER
vice. loving his country not for what
she gave to him bu, for what he might
give to her. His was a well-descrved
popularity, for he left at the end a
record as full and varied as II is honor
able.
An Hour of Triumph.
Therefore, we say II Is an hour of
triumph. for he died with his harness
on and his face to the front. Like many
anotner hlgn and eager soul, he thought
IT better that the engine should stand
still at last worn out. rather than that
its valves should rust or its boilers
explode with their repressed steam.
He never disdained the humblest
duties, they kept pace in his life with
the larger cares; his ear was open to
the cry OF the poor. he was the willing
listener to the humblest suitor. His
capacities enlarged through use and as |
they enlarged he occupied them TO the
full. 4 clear-seeing man. he discerned
mis- opportunities. he knew what to do
and how TO do IL and carried to a sue
cessful Issue his public business and !
his civic improvements and reforms. II |
would have cost him more to hesitate
before a task than to spring heartily |
into Il and Put Il through. although, In |
the end. his life must pay the penalty |
He used his powers to their full extent |
to the very end; he did many things |
and he did them well; therefore, he died |
a conqueror.
But not alone is this an hour Of