Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-03

nection with the Riggs National Bank
and the cash room OF the United States
treasurer.
For about five wears he has practfced
law in this city.
Last OF the Fee Offices.
The office of auditor is the last of the
fee offices at the City Hall. In former
years the clerk of the court. United States
marshal, United States attorney, recorder
of deeds and register of wills paid the
expenses of their offices and took the
balance of the fees as cOmpensa tion for
their own services.
In one instance the authorship was a
stepping stone to the bench. Justice
Walter s. Cox was elevated to the ju-
dietary while serving as auditor of the
court.
Since 1913. when Clement Cox. father
of Justice Walter S. Cox, retired from
the authorship, but five persons have
held the position. William Redin, ap-
pointed in 1s4S, held Office until Novem-
Der, 1866 when, on his death, Walter S.
COX was selected by the court as audi
tor. Judge Cox resigned in 1873 to take
place on the bench and was succeeded
by Robert Leech, who served until 1879.
Thomas Hood was appointed May ), 1875.
but resigned early in 1870, and April )
of that year Col. Payne was appointed
Mr. Dent was kept busy this afternoon
receiving the congratulations of his
friends. When seen by The Star repre-
sentative he had not been officially no
tilted of his appointment, but said he was
prepared to take charge OF the office as
soon as the court wished. He explained
his gratitude to the justices and to his
friends that had worked in his behalf.
Mr.. Dents Career.
Mr.. Dent was born in Baltimore. Nd,
October 6. 1853 After an academic
education he started in life as stenogra-
uher to Col James G. Payne. whom he
succeeds as auditor He resigned his po-
sition after two years to become an ex-
amlner in chancery and to begin the
study of law with the firm of Hanna &,
Johnson. where he remained until 1885.
during this period he served as pri-
vate secretary to Representative r. r.
HIT and as stenographer to James G.
Blaine during the latter's preparation of
his book. Twenty Years of Congress"
He then went to Maine where he served
year as official reporter of the Maine
house of representatives. Later he went
to the War Department and afterward
became bookkeeper in the cash room
of the United States Trea sury
Upon Mr. BlaineS return from Europe
Mr.. Dent first became his stenographer and
later his private secretary, serving in the
latter capacity during three years of Mr.
Blane's term as Secretary of State Dur
sular service in the West Indies and
Mexico and made a thorough tour of in
spection in Cuba.
Consul at Kingston.
When Mr.. Blaine retired from the cabi-
net NJ. Dent became the private secre-
taTy to John w. Foster and later was
made consul at Kingston. jamaica Dur
ing Mr.. Cleveland's term Mr.. Dent was
engaged in literary work, but with the
advent of President Mckinley he again
became consul at Kingston.
His extensive knowledge of Cuba and
it's coasts and his intimate acquaintance
with officials In Jamaica and elsewhere in
the West Indies made him of especial
value to the United States during the
Spanish-American war in selecting pilots
for war vessels. securing special facilities
for them from the English government
and keeping the Department of State ad-
vised from time to time of the move
ments of the enemy. 1t was from Mr..
Dent that the government first received
its information as to the movement of the
Spanish fleet.
When he resigned in 1899 to accept the
position of register of wills for the Dis
trict of Columbia. Secretary Hay, by
direction of the President, wrote Mr.
Dent:
1T gives me pleasure to express the
Presidents s. my own and the depart
ment's high appreciation of the efficiency
and zeal with which you have performed
yosr official duties. Especially do 1 de-
sire to commend the high intellieence
the unceasing vigilance and the untiring
energy with which you attended to the
interests of your country at most i'm
portant post during the late war with
SPAIN.
Mr.. Dent was married in 1884 to Miss
Kate E. Yost, and has five children, He
is member of the Maryland Historical
Society. the District Bar Association. the
Board of Trade and the Chamber of
Commerce. He did active service as a
member of the inaugural committee in
1905. and was also a member of the COM
mittee having in charge the Inaugural
ton of Mr.. Taft.
Mr. Dent is one of the charter men,
bers and the secretary of Temple Lodge
No. b, F. A. A. NJ, and a member of
Mount Vernon Royal Arch Chapter, No
3. and Washington COmmandery, No.
!. KNIGHTS Templar.