The colored American., 1903-04-04
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
The Promotion of Mr. Jas. T. Macy
to the Chief ClerkshIp-Other
ChangeS-NoteS


A great many changes have been
made in General Land Office, growing
out of the recent change in the head of
that important bureau. Among the
most important, involving several di
vision chiefs and a host of clerks of
every grade, the elevation of Mr.. Jas.
T. Macy, to the position of Chief
clerk, deaerves especitl mention.
1t will be remembered that The Col
ored American, few weeks ago, in
announcing the appointment of Hon
w. A. Richards, as Commissioner of
the General Land Office ventured the
prediction that his very capable and
deserving private secretary, Mr.. Ma
cey, would, without doubt, soon be ad-
vanced to some place of greater re-
sponsi bility, dignity, and emOlument.
That prediction is now verified in his
appointment as Chief clerk of the
office. In this position, he will have
an opportunity to display to greater
advantage those qualities of mind and
heart which have so highly recon-
mended him to the confidence of the
Commissioner, as an executive officer,
whose services could best be utilized
for the government in a broader field
than private secretary.
AS Chief clerk, Mr.. Macy will have
charge of the personnel of the office
working force, consisting Of about 6OO
employees of all grades, from laborer
to law clerk In all matters pertain
ing to the effective management of the
work of the office, he must be eyes,
ears and judgment for the Commis-
sioner, who, with his assistant is so
engrossed with larger interests, as to
have no time for the many details IN
office discipline, which the Chief
clerk must control. Mr.. Macey's ma
tive intelligence, special training, and
/ experience, none the less than the in
innate official and friendly relations
between him and the Commi ssloner
combined to make him the logical
| man for the place.
1t may be a stimulus to the asp1r-
| ing youth, to know that the new Chief
| clerk of the Land Office, is but So
| years of age. He entered the service
as typewriter, from New York
State, at the age of 20; bright, am
bilious hard-working, patient youth.
| He studied the work of the Office,
made himself essential to his superior
officers and popular with his fellow
clerks. He was conscientious in the
/ performance of every duty and when
/ ever occasion offered, made it apparent
to his superiors, that he possessed
timber for something more than a
mere clerkShip. He has not had to
wait long for the recognition of his
superior qualifications and The Color
ed American congratulates him upon
his deserved promotion and holds him
| up as worthy of emulation.
Mr. Macy is brOad-minded and lib
eral He knows men by their merits
and the colored clerks of the Land
Office, accordingly have nothing to
fear, but everything to hope for, as
result of his elevation.
AS an evidence of his popularity in
the Office, he was rendered quite an
ovation upon assuming his new du-
ties, Wednesday morning, April 1,
1903 The rooms of the Commission
er Assistant Commissioner and Chief
clerk were thrown open and the en-
ployes dropped in at will, to pay their
respects and felicitate with the higher
officials. Magnificent floral tributes
presented by the employees, graced the
desk of each of said officials, and of
the retiring clerk, Mr.. G. n. Whiting
ton, who remains in the Office as a
principal examiner 1t was the first
opportunity offered to many of the
clerks for meeting the new Assistant
Commissioner, Hon. J. H. Fimple of
Ohio, who is a lawyer of great ability
and well versed in Land Office busi-
ness. He was formerly an attorney
in the Assistant Attorney Generals