Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-27
new EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Secretary to Commissioners
Given Higher Grade.
THE BILL SUBMITTED
OFFICER MADE SUBSTITUTE FOR
EITHER CIVIL COMMISSIONER.
Necessity for the Enactment Set Forth
in Communication to Congress
Draft Of the Bill.

The District Commissioners have for
warded to Congress the draft OF bill
which will. IL enacted. establish new ex-
ecutive Office in the local government. that
Of Secretary Of the District of Columbia-"
The office. strictly speaking. might not be
considered a new one entirely, for it for
merly existed under the territorial form OF
government. The Office would correspond
in some degree to what Is now the secre-
taryship to the board of Commissioners. 1t
gives the secretary authority to act in the
place of either of the civil Commissioners.
In presenting the bill the Commissioners
forwarded a letter to the chairmen of the
Senate and House District committees. in
which they say:
THE Commissioners of the District Of
Columbia have the honor to transmit here
with, with recommendation for favorable
action thereon. draft of q bill relating to
the office of Secretary Of the District of Co
lumbia.'
1.-THE principal object of this proposed
legislation is to provide against Interrupt
ton of the administration of the District
government in case OF the disability or
necessary absence from the District of eth
er Of the two Commissioners appointed
from civil life. 1t has occurred that two
of the civil Commissioners have been alb
sent at the same time for unavoidable rea-
sons. An instance of this kind might re-
suit in serious embarrassment.
Substitute for Engineer Commissioner.
1.-The law already provides for a substi-
tute for the Engineer Commissioner in
case Of his absence or disability.
1T frequently becomes necessary for the
municipal authorities of the District to at
test legal papers with the District seal.
There is grave doubt whether any one
now has legal right to use this seal, and
therefore the proposed legislation in that
regard is deemed expedient.
1.-The enactment of this bill would sub
stantially revive the affice of secretary of
the District of Columbia, discontinued by
the act of June 90 1874. abolishing the ter
ritorial form Of government for the District
and providing for temporary government
by Commissioners. That legislation was
passed during the crowded moments of the
closing of the session, when it was imprac-
ticable to give due consideration to special
reasons why the continuance of the office
might be desirable"
Draft Of the Bill.
The draft of the bill is as follows:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of
America In Congress assembled that w.,hin
thirty days after the passage of this act
the President of the United States shall,
by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, appoint a secretary OF the District
of Columbia, who shall hold Office for four
years and until his successor shall have
been appointed and qualified, and receive
salary of s. 600 per annum
Sec 2. That he shall possess the qualifi-
cations as to citizenship of the United
States and residence in said District that
are now prescribed by law for the Commits
sioners of said District appointed from civil
life, and shall take an oath and give a bond
for the faithful discharge OF his official
duties, such as those now required by law
from said Commissioners.
Sec. 3. That during any absence from
said District of either Of the Commissioners
appointed from civil life or the disa bility of
either of said Commissioners to perform his
duties as such the secretary shall as Acting
Commissioner discharge all the official
duties of such Commissioner.
"a Record Required.
Sec. 4. That he shall keep a record of
the acts and correspondence of the Com
missioners sitting as a board. and perform
such other germane duties as the board of
Commissioners may from time to time pre-
scribe. He shall have sole official charge.
custody and use of the seal of the District
of Columbia, adopted by the law of the leg
islative assembly of said District entitled
An act adopting seal for the District of
Columbia, approved August 8. 1871.
Sec. 8. That in the event OF the tempo
rary absence from the District of Columbia
or disability of said secretary to perform
his duties he shall, with the approval of
the said board of Commissioners designate
a suitable person having the citizenship
and residence qualifications prescribed in
section 2. who shall during such absence or
perform all the duties prescribed
In section of this act"
In the Senate today Mr.. Mcmillan intro
duced the bill.