The Alaska daily empire., 1913-10-20
DAVIDSON ASSUMES THE
 DUTIES OF OFFICE -O-O- (Continued from Page One.)
INITIAL ESTEEM 'TWIXT
 OLD AND NEW OFFICIALS

incoming and outgoing Surveyor Gen eral of the Territory of Alaska was exhibited by an unusual exchange of letters that preceded the transfer of the office from Gen. w. l.. Distin to Gen. Charles F. Davidson. Gen Dis tin and his successor have been inti- mately associated in official capacities ever since Gen. Distin became Sur veyor General of the Territory, the former as principal and latter as deputy United States mineral and land surveyor. Therefore each is familiar with the capacity and the integrity of the other.
 The occasion of the exchange of let ters was the resignation of the new Surveyor General as a deputy to his predecessor and the acceptance of the resignation by the latter.
 Davidson to Distin.
 The letter of resignation of Charles F. Davidson to Gen. w. l.. Distin, dated October 10th. was as follows: "Hon Wm. l.. Distin,
 "U. s. Surveyor General,
 Juneau, Alaska.
 My Dear General:
 owing to the fact that l have been appointed to fill the position you now occupy. I hereby tender you my resig- nation as U. s. Deputy and Mineral Surveyor for the Territory of Alaska, to take effect immediately.
 "It is with many regrets that l re- tire from your official staff, and with great feelings of pride that l am able to rise from the ranks and succeed a man who has always been just in his decisions, and one who has eXer- cised rightfulness in the conduct of business with his deputies and the general public; and above all, man in every respect.
 "In 1897 | was first appointed a dep uty. at which time the office of Sur veyOr General of Alaska was under the jurisdiction of the United States Marshal of the Territory It was dur ing the same year, l believe, that you assumed the office and duties of Sur veyOr General The office at that time was merely a confused mass of rec ords with no organization whatever. You, with your executive ability as an organizer and executive officer, have realized order from the chaos, and given me a smooth running office of which all Alaskans are proud. My one hope is that l may retire at the end of my term with as high esteem as you are now regarded by Alaskans. You have occupied your present office for over sixteen years, and feel with a great degree of confidence that when all of us have passed to the great be yOnd, and the names and records have been emblaZOned upon the pages of history. your name as the first Sur veyor General and Secretary of Alas ka, will stand in the first rank of all Surveyor Generals of this great Ter ritory of ours.
 "In conclusion l wish to extend to you my sincere thanks for the many courtesies and considerations you have always accorded me. May your life be long, and filled with all the happiness it is possible for men to attain, no mat ter where you may cast your lot in the future.
 sincerely yours,
 "CHAS. F. DAVIDSON"
 Oistin to Davidson.
 Gen. w. l.. Distins acceptance of the resignation also dated October 10, was as follows:
 Hon. Charles E. Davidson,
 Juneau, Alaska
 My dear Sir
 "I am in receipt of your letter of even date, rendering your resignation as a U. & Deputy Surveyor and U. s. Mineral Surveyor for Alaska; and, in view of the very gratifying circum- stances that prompts such action, re- port thereof will be made immediately to the Commissioner of the General Land Office
 Under ordinary circumstances, your resignation from the staff of Deputies of this office would be a matter of pro- found regret, but the reason that ren- ders such action necessary is the source of the liveliest qualification; for it is a promotion in, and not a retirement from, the line of service with which you have been so long con- nected.
 You have been one of my Deputies ever since took charge of the office. and in none other have I reposed great CT confidence. The character of the surveys executed and returned by you have been of very satisfactory sort, and your promotion in this line of the service is the reward of merit
 Although eager to be relieved of the burden of official life, the ties that have so long united me with a number of my staff of Deputies, and office as sistants, affects me more than I can express.
 'I thank you most heartily for your cOmmendatiOn of the manner in which l have conducted the affairs of the of fee during my administration. That such opinions are entertained by one SO competent as yourself is certainly very gratifying. It has been my earn est endeavor to conduct the affairs of the office on the line of right and jus tice, without fear or favor.
 Tt is gratifying to me to transfer the office to one so competent to ad- minister it as satisfactorily as your self, and your hope that you may re- tire at the end of your term with the high esteem of your fellow citizens, of Alaska is reciprocated, and such event is confidently expected. With every good wish for you and yours, am,
 "Very sincerely yours,
 "WM. l.. DISTIN,
 'U. s. Surveyor General"