Year: 1878

DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.


The question of District government,
with clearly defined limits and powers, is
now substantially settled. The law has re-
ceived the approval Of the President, and
within twenty days II is his bounden duty
to detail m engineer of the army and
nominate two citizens for confirmation by
the Senate, who, when duly qualified shall
compose the Board of Commissioners for the
government of the District. Upon the wise
and iudicious discharge of this important
duty by the Executive hangs much of the
future well-being of the people of tho Dis
trict. A mistake in the outset will prove
OF serious detrimcnt to the public interest,
and it is to be hoped that great wisdom,
dcliheration, sagncity, and prudence viii
characterize the selection of those who are
to put the wheels of the government in mo-
tion on its new mission under fresh and
promising auspices.


1t Is not of as much consequence as to
who shall be appointed, rs that the appoint
nlcnts shall secure first. class ability, expert
ence, and integrity, and afford guaran-
tee to the governed that their interests
will be wisely, prudently, and justly pro-
tccted in the administration of public af-
fairs. The President cannot afford to make
the mistake Of appointing any man Commits
sioncr simply because the applicant and a
co'cric of friends want the place for him,
nor because of personal partality for the
applicant on the part Of the appointing
power or any special friends who may pre-
sent and urge u candidate. The ruling con-
sderation should be, is he capable? is
he honest? does he combine in a
marked degree that measure OF in
telligence, sound Judgment, and up
rightness of character which affords q
guarantee that the public interest will he
wisely and honestly cared for when the
applicant is clothed with authority and
power? No doubt there will be multitude
OF ambitious citizens who will seek this
prefcrment. If 50, the field will be broad,
and the opportunity for securing frst-class
ability AMI character will be the more prom
ising. Sore will, no doubt, seek it for the
position and emoluments it will bring, with
ont any regard to fitness and qualification,
while Others may he pressed from other and
no more worthy considerations. No doubt
in repeated instances true merit will be pre-
sented, wherein the position is not urgently
sought but the names are presented for
candid consideration and careful weighing
Of the qualifications they would bring to
the service.


We have no preferences to express no
candidates to urge, no ends to answer, save
the public good. When that is attained,
our wishes will have been fully accom-
plishod. We have no means of Judging,
except from past observation. what the pre-
dilections of the appointing power may be
rs to the political complexion of these ap-
pOintments, but We think it safe to assume
that at least one of the three will be Dem.
ocrat. Should the engineer detailed from


the army for the service be of that complex,


ion, then the other two will be Rcpuh.


licans, unless it shall be determined thai
the board shall be Democratic in its polit


ical character But, be that Us it may, lei


the selections embody sterling integrity,


spirit of fairness, and first-class intelligcnc,
and executive ability, and we shall have
wise and satisfactory government, whicl
will administer public affairs for the publ,
welfare.