Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-15
TANNER FOLLOWS DENT
New Register of Wills Nomi-
mated by the President.
AN EXPECTED CHANGE
WAS PREDICTED SOME MONTHS
AGO.
Transfer Of Local Office Will Take
Place, It is Thought, April L
Consul Dent May Leave May 1.

SO0Su4 0CAt may ACa"S AAAny -
The President this afternoon sent to
the Senate the nomination of James ran
ner to be register of wills for the District
OF Columbia and that of Louis A. Dent, at
present register of wills. to be United
States consul at Dawson, Yukon territory
When the news of this action reached the
city hall no surprise was occasioned-
The Star last December made the an
nouncement that the President had de-
cided to transfer Mr.. Dent to Dawson and
to name Corporal Tanner as his sue
cessor. As it was then explained that the
change was to go into effect April 1 of
this year. the expectation has been that
the nominations would be sent to the
Senate about this time.
The close friends of Mr.. Dent have been
aware that several days ago he was in COM
munication with the White House in refer
ence to accepting the consular appointment
mentioned.
At the time the proposed change was first
made public leading members of the. bar
and other citizens, including many who are
prominent in financial and business circles,
expressed their views in regard to the same.
Those seen this afternoon had nothing to
say on the subject.
AS stated, the change VIII go into eHect
the list of the coming month.
James Tanners Career.
James Tanner was born at Richmondville.
Schoharie county, N. Y, April 4, 1874. He
grew up farm with the limited educa-
tional advantages of a district school After
few months of teaching he enlisted when
seventeen years of age in the SIth New
York Volunteers. and was soon made cor
poral, title which still clings to him. He
fought through the peninsular campaign
under kearny at Warrenton, Bristow Sta
ton and Manassas. AT the second battle of
Bull Run both of his legs were shattered by
a shell, necessitating their amputation.
He was employed by the New York lesis-
lature as under doorkeeper on his recovery
and afterward became clerk in the War
Department in this city. He stood by Lin
coins death bed, and took notes of the first
official evidence relating to the assassina-
ton. In 1866 he returned to Schoharie
county, New York. to marry and to study
law. Soon after his admission to the bar
he moved to Brooklyn, having received an
appointment In the New York custom house
He rose by competitive examination to the
post of deputy collector, which he held for
four years under General Arthur. He was
republican candidate for the assembly in
1871 and for register in 1876, in which year
he was elected commander Of the Grand
Army of the Republic for the Department
of New York. By holding mass meetings
and speaking throughout the state In behalf
of his comrades he was instrumental In
procuring the establishment of the Soldiers
Home at Bath, Steuben county.
He also suggested the erection Of SINH
lar home for the confederate soldiers at
Richmond Va. and helped to carry out the
project. He was tax collector Of Brooklyn
for four terms-1S77- 1SS1lectured extern
sively In 1SS6-1SSS, made a campaign tour
OF California in 1885, and one of Oregon in
the spring of 1885.
In the fan of 1888 he stumped the state of
Indiana for General Harrison, who. In
pensions. He resigned September II. 1889,
and opened an office in this city. He is
now judge advocate general of the G. A. r.
What Mr.. Dent Says
The appointment to the consular post at
Dawson is regarded by the government
officials a promotion for Mr.. Dent. The
latter said this afternoon:
while 1 am sorry to leave the office of
register of wills. at the same time am not
sorry. for during the four years 1 have de-
voted to undermining 1t as business
office. have performed arduous labor.
My particular regret for leaving is be-
cause of the severance of relations with the
members of the bar and of the bench. They
have aided me very materially by their cor
dia. good will and courtesy, and their en-
deavors to facilitate my methods of busf.
ness"
In the consular service one month Is al
lowed appointees for instruction here, sc
that Mr.. Dent is not likely to depart from
this city prior to the LIST of next May.
Mr.. Dents Career.
Louis A Dent has lived in the District OF
Columbia since early childhood. He has
had unique career in his association with
public men. He has at various times been
private secretary to James G. Blaine, John
w. Foster, Robert r. Hit and Stephen j.
Field. He was Mr.. Blaines last private
secretary and was intimately associated
with him, especially in his literary work,
up to the time he died. Mr.. Dent entered
the government service upon competitive
civil service examination and was appoint
ed as clerk at a salary of 81 POO in the
War Department in 1887. Subsequently, he
was transferred first to the Treasury De-
partment and then to the State Depart
ment.
From the State Department, just previous
to Mr.. Blaine's death, and upon the latter's
request, he was appointed consul at King
ston. Jamaica. During Mr.. Cleveland
term as President Mr.. Dent was out of the
service. but he was reinstated by President
Mckinley. By his work during the yellow
fever epidemic in 1897 and during the tarifl
controversy which brought about the reci-
procity treaties in 1899. but more especially
by the valuable services he rendered during
the Spanish-American war, he attracted
President McKfnleys notice and hearty
commentator and was by him appointed
register of wills.
Identified With the City.
Mr.. Dent is descendant of one of TIE
oldest Maryland families, that part of the
District lying beyond the Eastern branch
being included in the grant to the original
ancestor during the administration of Lord
| Baltimore: the same family from which
| sprang Mrs Grant, George Dent, one of the
| early Speakers of the House: Commodore
| John Herbert Dent, Gen. Wade Hampton
| Gen. Longstreet and other distinguished
| southerners. Mr.. Dents lineal ancestors
| have been represented in every genera ton
| in the wars of the United States. the revo-
| luton the war of 1912. the Mexican war and
| the civil war. He Is member Of the Co
| lumbia Historical Society, the Sons of the
| Revolution, the Sons of the American Rev.
olution. the Business Mems Association and
| other local organizations.
| Resignation Of Assistant Chief Brad.
1 haIy