Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-28
S 0 M E OPINIO N s
FLATTERING THINGS SAID ABOUT
MIR. LOUIS E. DENT.
Hope Of Many That Change Will Not
Be Carried 0ut-People In
terviewed.

of whom. 1t is said, are strongly opposed
to the contemplated action.
Citizens approached by Star reporter
today did not hesitate to express regret at
the proposed change. and hope that 1t
would not be carried out
Came as q Shock.
1.-THE information contained in the papers
few days siEce to the effect that the
President had concluded to make change
in the office Of register of wills came as a
shock to me- said Mr.. John B. Larner
today. The Office of register Of wills has
been. during the term of the present In
cumbent, brought to the highest state OF
perfection. certainly as compared with any
thing we have ever had before In that Of
flee, and to make change at this time is
very serious matter. have no hesitation In
aging that during over twenty years OF
practice before the Probate Court 1 have
never known things to run along so smooth
ly and with such positive advantage to, not
only members of the bar. but also to the
parties directly concerned l regard this
change as being highly detrimental to the
public service and sincerely hope that the
President may yet be induced to rectify the
mistake by reconsidering his action. The
worst feature of the whole case is the fact
that a thoroughly competent officer. after
so much valuable work. IS to be displaced.
The position of the government, in my
judgment. should Oe to reward and pro-
mote an officer after faithful service, rather
than to unceremoniously remove him with
out cause. In my Judgment 1t is subversive
to good methods"
Mr.. Edison.
Mr.. John Joy Edison, president of the
Washington Loan and Trust Company.
said: Il am sorry to learn that a change
in the register of wills Is contemplated
by the President. If ever the merit prin-
ciples should be recognized and applied
it seems to me they should be In the case
of the register of wills. The present regis
ter inteiligentiy and energetically has
brought about a thorough method Of doing
business in that office, increasing it's eff
cheney and greatly improving the con-
venience In tranSacting business in the Pro-
bate Court. Our company. of course, is
largely interested in probate matters. and
therefore We are able to testify to the
services that have been rendered by Mr.
Dent in the interest of the public. and.
believe, to the great convenience and salts
faction of the bar. / understand that all
of the registers plans. for improvements
have not been completed 1t is, therefore,
all the more to be deeply regretted that a
change should be made 1 feel confident
that if the President should be fully aware
of the true situation he would in this case,
as he always has in his public acts. be
found UNFOLDING the merit system and the
best principles of the civil service. I know
of no case where they could be better il
Illustrated than In the present instance.
Shall hope that the change IL not definitely
decided upon"
Express Regret.
Mr.. Charles J. Bell. president of the
American Security and Trust Company,
said: Il would be sorry to see any change
made in the Office of register of Wills Mr..
Dent is not only courteous official. but he
has brought out of chaos a thoroughly
systematized office"
Mr.. Albert F. Fox. president of the Co
lunlbia National Bank, said: Mr.. Dent is
conducting the Office of register of wills in
a thoroughly efficient and satisfactory man
ner. 1t would be a source of deep regret to
local business interests and members of the
bar generally l believe. If he should be
supplanted"
Mr.. William F. Mattingly said IT hope
no change will be made in the office of reg
ister of Wills. Mr.. Dent has discharged
his duties most ably, and the Office Is now
run in manner more business-like than
ever before"
Mr.. w. v. Cox. president of the Second
National Bank and of the board Of trade,
said:
Il have known Mr.. L. A. Dent for sew
eral years and have had considerable bust
ness with his Office / regard him as one of
the most polite and capable officials in the
District of Columbia, and familiar with his
duties and the law. His executive ability
workings OF his office shows Believing in
civil service 1 feel that we need Mr.. Dent
In the District Of Columbia and not in the
consular service
Changes Hurt Office.
MIR. George e. Hamilton said st would
regret very much to think that there will be
change In the Office of register of Wills
because consider that the administration
OF the Office suffers from changes. / was
much opposed to the appointment of Mr..
Dent as register. largely upon the ground
mat IL would bring new methods and prac-
tices into the office, and further. because I
understood that the appointment was
political one. Notwithstanding my former
opposition, l now believe from all that l
heard. that MI Dent has given excellent
and intelligent direction to the affairs of
the office, and that his conduct of the same
Is as ehlcient and as systematic as ever in
the past. and perhaps more so. have ONLY
an official acquaintance with Mr.. Dent but
L have found him courteous painstakinr
ana competent always. AS | Indicated /
would regret to know that just as he has
to be displaced"
Mr.. Frederic d. McKenney said: 81
think 1t little short of a calamity that any
change in the office of register of wills of
the District should be even contemplated
at this time The present Incumbent Mr.
Dent, Is an executive officer of ability who
by keen appreciation of what was need
ed has placed the office and its work on a
plane never before obtained Besides. he
Is courteous and painstaking official. and
his removal would be regretted by the
members of the bar having to do with
probate business"
Civil Service
Mr.. Simon Wolf said that he was more
than surprised VIXEN he heard that a
change in the Office of register of wills was
contemplated. According to Mr.. Wolf. the
office has been revolationized and modern
lied by MIR. Dent. The latter added Mr.
Wolf. Is an energetic, careful and cour-
teous official. and il the President still
holds to his Ideas regarding civil service
and merit he must conclude that Mr. Dent
is pre-eminently qualified to retain Office as
register of wills for the District of Column
bia.
Mr.. Walter c. Clephane expressed him
self as being opposed to any change being
made In the office of register of wills. In
the opinion of Mr.. Clephane Mr. Dents
. '~'T' ''o- nj the office has been en-
tireiy satisfactory. 1t was further said by
Mr.. Clephane that many members OF TIE
bar were prejudiced against Mr.. Dent when
ge of the Office, but
that such prejudice has been completely
wiped out by the excellent results attained
by him.