Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-29
RESIGNATION
Regret Expressed by Citizens
Over Proposed Change.
REGISTER OF WILLS
COMPLIMENTARY THINGS SAID
ABOUT THE PRESENT OFFICIAL.
Held That Office Should Be Not Sub
ject to Change Except
for Cause.
REGISTER OF WILLS

Citizens, In aoolt10n 10 those approacheu
yesterday, who were interviewed today ny
| Star reporter unhesItatingly expressed
regret at the proposed change in the once
Of register Of Wills. and the hope that 1t
| would not be carried into effect.
r. Ross Perry.
| Mr.. r. Ross Perry Of the local bar said:
when Mr.. Dent was appointed register OF
wills was strongly opposed to the appoint
| ment. 1t is only just to him to say. and
take pleasure in saying. that the admins
tration of his Office has been efficient and
satisfactory. and I should like to see him
retained I believe he rs the best register
Of wills we have ever had. l think that his
removal would be a public misfortune.
deem It proper to add that the expenses OF
administering an estate are. In my opinion.
much too high. This. however, II only an
argument for a change in the law, for, from
what know and have heard. the fees
charged have been found to be legal
Mr.. O. G. Cole.
Former Judge C. c. Cole said: II hope
Mr.. Dent will be continued In the Office Of
register Of Wills. He has made an excellent
officer and has the Office in fine condition.
The Office is a quasi judicial one and when
an incumbent has once become familiar
with its duties a change In the personnel
OF the office necessarily results in more or
less confusion and changes In the methods
of doing business. 1 have no hesitation In
saying that the interests Of the people Of
the District, especially those having bust
ness with the Office, would be best sub
served by permitting Mr.. Dent to continue
In the Office
Mr.. Samuel Maddox
Mr.. Samuel Maddox of the local bar said:
The resignation of Mr.. Dent is a serious
blow to the best business interests of the
people of the District When he was in
stalled in office some four years ago many
of the antiquated methods which we Inherit
ed from the rural districts of Maryland
were still in vogue. Mr.. Dent took hold of
these, entirely eliminated them, and can
justly boast that there is now no more up
tO-date or better conducted Office in the
District than his. He possesses to an I'M
usual degree executive and administrative
talents which have been freely devoted to
the duties Of his office and the speedy settle
ment Of decedents estates. To members of
the bar and others DESTROYS of learning
some facts connected with the records Of
his Office, he is courteous and obliging. and
his office records are now so well ordered
that provoking delays never occur in maxi
ing necessary examinations. Besides dur
ing his incumbency he has been a careful
student of the Maryland laws still in force.
and of the code, and he has become well
versed therein that he can accurately and
fntelligently answer any question that may
arise in probate proceedings and practice.
1.-THE people of the District have, there
fore, cause for sincere regret that outside
considerations necessitate the resignation of
so worthy and useful an Official
Title Companies.
Mr.. w. ]. Newton, president Of the Dis
-trict Title Insurance Company said: Il was
very much surprised to hear that there is
thought of making change In the head Of
the register of Wills office. While did not
like Mr. Dent when he first took charge of
the office, that feeling was due to ignorance
regarding his ability. After several years
of dealings with the Office, however. feel
that in appointing Mr.. Dent no mistake was
made. also believe that his removal would
be step backward. AS president of a title
company l visit the register of wills Office
daily, and / know whereof 1 speak. Mr..
and the way he has shaped up things is SIM
ply remarkable
Mr. w. E. Edmonston, president of the
Columbia Title Insurance Company, said:
Il am in favor of making the register of
wills permanent appointee. He ought not
To properly fill the Office requires judgment,
knowledge of the law and integrity of char
acter the office being semi judicial one.
Mr.. Dent seems to possess all the necessary
qualifications. The office methods have been
systematized and improved during his In
cumbency. I should very much regret to
see a change made"
Mr.. T. P. Woodward, president of the
Washington Title Insurance Company, said:
1T would be unfortunate for a change to
occur regards the register Of wills. The
Office has been vastly improved under Mr.,
Dents administration. and 1t is being con-
Quoted In an eminently satisfactory man
mar"