Judge J. H. Jones Appointed Commissioner
The former Seattle Police Judge steps into a new federal role under the Cleveland administration.
J. H. Jones, the ex-police judge, was made happy yesterday by the receipt of a communication from the President of the United States. Mr. Cleveland informed him that, reposing great trust in him, he had appointed him Commissioner of Deeds for the District of Columbia in the Territory of Washington, the appointment to be for five years. Accompanying the President's signature was that of the Secretary of State, T. F. Bayard, and the seal of the United States. This is one of the matters in which the Senate has no right to interfere, and the President's act is officially complete. Judge Jones will use his new power for the benefit of the host of pensioners in this Territory.
“J. H. Jones, the ex-police judge, was made happy yesterday by the receipt of a communication from the President of the United States.”
In 1886, federal appointments like Commissioner of Deeds were key pieces of political patronage. Today, the role of federal oversight in local administrative affairs is vastly different, though political appointments remain a cornerstone of American governance.
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