The colored American., 1903-01-10


oral Land Office, announced last week,
n take effect on February l, 1903, of
fars an opportunity for the advance
n,ent of the very deserving and able
Assistant Commissioner, Hon. William
A Richards. Mr.. Richards is a citizen
of the State of Wyoming, where he
has enjoyed the highest distinction
q sovereign state can beStOW upon one.
He rapidly rose to the gCvernOrship
Inv his merits and peculiar fitness for
the position, which the good people of
wyoming were quick to recognize and
had the good sense to make use OF.
Three years ago Mr.. Richards term
as Governor Of wyoming expired. AS
he had declined to accept a re-nOmin-
alton. which would have surely landed
him for a second term in the guber-
Material chair. he was offered and ac-
rpDted the Assistant CommissiOnership
Of The General Land Office. He was
therefore, the immediate succession of
that most popular and efficient young
officer, Hon. F. w. MOndell, who had
been overwhelmingly elected and is
still serving as Congressman from
Wyoming.
Mr. MondeI had made a very bril-
liant record during his brief career
as Assistant Commissioner. and was
deservedly popular with subordinate
employees higher officials, and states
men having business before the office.
as The CClored American has delight
ed 10 show in previous articles. 1t
was therefore no easy task to succeed
him without suffering by comparison.
Governor Richards, however, has done
so BY his ability. kindness of heart.
keen appreciation Of the duties of the
office and conscientious application to
the many new phases of the land bust
ness which have been developed in
recent years, he has won not only the
respect and admiration of the working
force throughout the entire office but
has so fixed himself into the con-
hdence Of the appointing power and
Of statesmen generally. that no other
name has been mentioned or probably
thought Of in connection with the va
cancy so soon to occur in the com
missiOnershiD
The new Commissioner is in the
PRIME Of life, being about so years
old. He is a splendid type of the
SiaIWaTt progressive. western pioneer.
Aithough born in the state of Wis
cNHSin. he began early to Shift for
hlllseIf and when but a boy made his
way 10 the West. He NAV be said,
therefore. TO have followed the pro
verbal advice to Go West Young Man
and Grow mp With the Country Many
sections of the West profited by his
t'ents and ability and combined in
daalhG 10 the experience which has
made him the logical successor to Mr..
~ Tiaann But it is to the state of
Eomlng that he probably feels most
indebted. and which in turn received
t- most and best service from him.
-, Inc t'oIored American has found in
.'e retiring Commissioner a most af-
Iaole and kindly official. who was ever
ready 10 serve the best interests of
u,e race in whose interest it exists
"Aen consistent with the larger in
JrreSts entrusted to his guardianship
III oHering congratulations and relici
-lHnS tn the incoming Commissioner
IS with the unqualified assurance
-7l The interests of the colored people
~ havn connection with or business
.'.o"e the General Land Office will re
I've every consideration which jus
.'r c9mandS or can expect from {
of high ideals. broad culture. and
.F,S0an fairness. His record is the
uINhest guarantee that his admins
ration of the Land Office, in the
ffer Of appointments and promo
.'oS 3 we'll as in the larger matters
tho iudicious disposition anC
protection of cur vast public domain
he = lfvin" expression of the lofty
f"~ which our strenuous. in