Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-07

Commissioners In case OF disability or
death. The law now authorizes the detail
of three assistants to the Engineer Com
missioner from among the engineer officers
of the Army two being now detailed any
one of whom may act as Commissioner IN
the abse1 ce of the Engineer Commissioner.
But If a civil Commissioner is unable to
act, there is no one to take his place, and
IL both the civil Commissioners should be
UNABLE to act, the government Of the Dis
trict OF Columbia, so tar as the Commits
soners are concerned, would be temporarily
interrupted. A majority of the board is
required for the transaction of business,
except the making of contracts for con-
struction work, which requires the sigma
lures o. all three Commissioners.
The Commissioners recommend that the
office of secretary of the District of CO.
lumbia be established. and that the in
cumbent be authorized to act in the case
civil Commissioners. If this is not DONE
they recommend that contracts for con-
struction work, like all Others shall be
valid when signed by majority of the
beard.
Celebration Of the Fourth of July.
In accordance with the general desire of
the citizens OF the District of Columbia, the
first official celebration of Independence
Day in the District of Columbia under the
present form Of government was success
fully held OH the 4th of July last. The
Commissioners on the 10Th day OF May,
1903. appointed a committee of arrange
ments. which prepared the program for the
day and directed it's execution. The Presi-
dent of the United States gave his cordial
approval and cooperation and authorized
the use of the White House grounds for the
public meeting, which he was unable to at
tend because of absence from the District.
The War and Navy departments responded
heartily to the requests of the committee
of arrangements and the officer in charge
of public buildings and grounds rendered
valuable service. In the morning Of the
day procession, composed of United States
troops, sailors and marine, ordered to Wash
inSton for the purpose, and the District Ma
tional Guards of which Gems. b. M. Young
was grand marshal, marched from the Cap
itol to the White House. where. on the
northeast lawn, public meeting. attended
by several thousand ladies and gentlemen,
was held. The president of the board of
commissioners presided, addresses were
made by the Ambassador of France and the
Secretary of the Navy. Admiral George
Dewey introduced the reading of the Decla-
ration Of Independence by Barry Buckley.
Rev. D. ]. Stafford, D. D., made the inyo-
cation and Rev T. s. Hamlin. D. D.. pro-
nounced the benedictfon. Patriotic songs
were sung by an adult chorus by public
school children, and by all present. led by
the Marine Band.
In the evening an elaborate display Of
aerial fireworks was made at the Washing
was provided by popular subscription.
District Building.
The action of Congress at the last ses-
sion. in accordance with the recommends
ton of the Commissioners, in transferring
the title of the site acquired for the Dis
trict building from the United States, in
whose name 1t was taken, to the District
of Columbia, and further in increasing the
limit of cost for the site and building from
81 100000 to 81, 0000.A was gratifying to
the Commissioners and to the community.
Military and Naval Appointments.
In their last annual report, the Commits
sioners recommended that the District Of
Columbia representation among the cadets
at the Military Academy at West Point
and the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
should be doubled. Congress accordingly
provided that the District should hereafter
have two midshipmen at the Naval Acad-
envy instead of one. 1t is hoped that Con-
gress will take similar action IN respect
to the Military Academy 1t is believed that
the population of the District of Columbia,
it's unique situation and character and the
fact that the President of the United
States, by custom, selects the young men
to be appointed at large to the two acade-
mics from among the sons of officers OF
the Army and Navy. entitle the District to
this additional consideration.
Reports on Pending Legislation.
According to custom, the Commissioners
received and reported upon bills relating to
the District of Columbia introduced in Con-
gress at the second session of the Fifty
seventh Congress and referred to them for
report by committees Of the Senate and
House From the Senate 90 bills were re-
ferred and from the House 81 bills were re-
ferred to the Commissioners. All bills re-
LOT IN fho ictr inf 0f nr,hf NH oI,
passed both houses were referred. accord
ing to custom, to the Commissioners by the
President for their objections before the
President approved them.
Funeral Of Former Governor Shepherd.
The Commissioners having been notified
that the remains Of Alexander R. Shepherd
formerly governor of the District of Column
bia, would be brought from his residence in
Mexico. Batopilas, chihuahua, to be in
tered near his former home, appointed
committee of prominent citizens, with Will
liam +. Mattingly as chairman, to make the
necessary preparations for the funeral. The
remains, accompanied by Governor Shep-
herds family, arrived on the morning of
the 4th day Of May. 1903. and were escorted
by the Commissioners. the committee of
arrangements and other citizens, together
with portion of the National Guard and
the High School Cadets, to the New York
avenue presbyterian church, Of which Gov
crnor Shepherd was member where they
lay In state until the afternoon, when fun
eral services, attended by the Commits
sioners, the COMMITTEES of arrangements and
large number of other citizens, were held.
after which the remains were taken to Rock
Creek Cemetery and placed in the family
vault. The committee on memorial for
Governor Shepherd has received a consid-
cradle subscription OF money and is pre-
pairing to erect a statue of Governor Shen
herd, which the Commiss' oners think should
De placed In front of the new District build
ing.
Board Of Education.
The public schools of The District Of Co.
lumbia were never so good or SO well
housed and equipped as now, and the
work done during the past year deserves
praise. This is the most important in
terest of the District of Columbia, and
calls for the largest amount in the an
nual appropriations. The Commissioners
in their estimates have recommended all
that seemed practicable to recommend at
this time for the necessary increase of
buildings and other facilities and for de-
sirable increase in the inadequate salaries
of teachers. The Commissioners particu-
larly recommend the estimates for the