Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-17
LOCAL NEWS.
GERMAN REPUBLICANS.
A Rousing Mass Meeting.
Letter from Governor Cooke.
An Able Review Of the Movement for
Improvement Of the District-Ad-
dresses by General Chapman.
Professor Iangston. VT. a.
r. Shephe rd, aud Col
OneI Eaehtx


dresses by General Chapman.
Professor l.angst0n. Mt. a.
II. shepherd, aud Col
Onel Faehtz
large and spirited mass meeting Of the Ger
man republicans of this District under the
auspices OF the German republican club was
held last night at Odd Fellows Hall Mr. Henry
OIke presided, and, after he had made some APP
propriate opening remarks, General n. p. Chip
man delivered an eloquent address, compliment
ing the Germans on their patriotism during the
war and their loyalty TO republican principles
since. he cautioned them against any compro-
mise with the democratic party I'm their strug-
giles to cripple the onward course OF public i'm
proyements
outions, reported series 20 the effect that the
German citizens declare anew their adherence
for the party Of progress and truth; that they
an Overw belming triumph FOR the four million
loan; and T" that Hon. II. ID. Cooke and his CO.
laborers on the Board Of Public Works enjoy
cur fullest confidence, knowing that they are
high minded, honorable men, and that their
plans are judicious," The resolutions were
adopted unanimously.
Mr.. Wolf then read the following letter from
Governor Cooke:
To s. WoG Esq., Cla,T5saa ErscsiiSs CSSSIlsf,;,.
DEAR SIR: 1 regret that am unable 40 accept
meeting Of those who are in favor Of intsii,SHSs
progress and honest com prehensiVe i'm proVements
form. my qualification the fact that our tS-rman
iellSs eliiLens true to their national instincts and
prepared 70 give candid consideration 10 the pro
srt NINE Of Improvements recently inaugurated In
ms DISTRICT and having given IL such cOnsiiera-
tion, 20 yield il their in and cordial sannort
q, , 2G VIII pardon me n briefly review the history
20 tbe uni man ,b Of GSngres. IN granting
in creating hr Boa 1ns q PTPs Ss Tm Of
and IN investing 4 with broad and comprehensive
pOweTs was that the capital Of the nation might be
msde worthy Of its position as the political me-
tropoiis OF The country aud the metropolitan repre-
sentative u the grandeur, the culture the energy
and the enterprise Of the republic.
very considerable portion Of the real property Of
the city OF thngton is owned by the general gov
eminent The plan of the city, with its great ave
nues and broad streets cOntem plates pendture
tunstey provision had been made p 20 the dSt.
OF the new government, by which local effort couid
plan. ~
Under the organic law Of the District, provision /.
ersl Of its fair proportion OF the aTdep
Of Improvement 1t is not claimed that this provlsS1
rection, and recognition by the federal soyeS n5
ment Of principle from which the satisfactory
The people Of this District have been accused Of
want OF Just pride and energy, and a proneness 90
gress rather than put forth their OWE efforts in be
ns OF Their own municipal and material Interests
stereotyped reflection i"11i'e NOV unfair s this
Itis sufficient TO know that Congress has at last
ue tnRntation by eonferring upon Us government
tive, necessary give completeness and eficency
to Its operation In word. Congress has virtually
you with full power to he'll yoarseives and we viii
hold you responsible for the you make of IN .
eonfded 10 il in the spirit in which il was rendered,
Ionnd large community rapidly Increasing in
accompanied with the usual pertaining q
densely populated districts IL found q city which
adequate sewerage, with streets which with snms
exceptions, would disgrace frontier villsse-
African des s of sand and d1s in s@G SSrss Than
cess pool stretching it's hdeous length from the Pc
tortuous, narrow, choked and shallow bordered by
moress hence noxious vspors, laden with typhus
and pestilence, disseminated themselves over the
The Board of Public Works comprehensively
vas TO be provided; secondly, uniform and perma-
cent system of grades established thirdly, the ca
nal nuisance abated; fOurthly, a beginning was al
least 70 he made towards filling in the flats along the
borders Of the Potomac finally, where practicable,
I TedTee the cost Of paving thereby e.sesing
the board were embodied in q comprehensive plan,
which was published, and, with an estimate Of the
ccs thereof, submitted 20 the Legislature, by which
body II was adopted, after mature elaboration. A
loan was authorized 70 the estimated pepse.
scheme of the lean was so arranged that "a did nor
impose an additional dollar Of general faKdftOn
reduced Ico-fhirdS. The ward fund )" hitherto
am3nntlng TO tax upon the people q about half
million OF dollars annually, was abandoned a no
longer necessary under the proposed system OF per
manent improvements; and the amount thus saved
upon the loan, and create besides SINKING fu6d
which will retire the PRINCIPAL in less than seven
believe it is not too much to say that the whole
country hailed with mingled surprise and grathca
uOn these evidences Of Intelligent enter prise aud
well directed yisor on the part of the new govern
%sni SsP1S S to- we're ready g manifest their
works Of Improvement by taking the loan at about
rapidly a. it aoG be needed 81 the S S ns Loaf
the work were condiiionslly consummsted. Bonds
TO the amount OF five hundred thousand dollars had
ready delivery he int
PoslttB OF an injunction, granted BY one Of the jus
tees OF the supreme Court OF the District the suit
Of few Individuals arrested the delivery OF these
bonds and delayed work upon the streets and roads
On the 18th Of August last an act was passed where
by the subject II issuing bonds 20 the amount of four
general election, to be held on the I'D Instant.
IL is known 10 y0u all that within a few DAYS the
term, and with all the Justices upon the bench dis
solved the Injunction which had stopped the issuing
Of bOSds under the earlier act Ii has been claimed
" some that the remoI al OF the injunction renders
unnecessary vote OF the people upon the second act
hat Tins emaIates from the nemies, and
q the me nds q the In pI3yemznt bill and that
only snoiLeT mode Of attack, directed against a
move mt Mt which has withstood all other forms Of
assault. These enemies have already done much 10
mjuTe the credit OF the District, and a vote of the
people putting the seal Of condemnation upon their
mise uided and mschieyous efforts, and the sanction
fapproyal upon the plan of improvements and de
veloEment now before them, If eminenty proper.
and demanded BY the best interests Of the entire
II
willing now and hereafter 20 be held responsible for
this assertion behalf and in behalf of the
Board OF Public Works, that in seeking this ndorse-
uent Of the loan by the people il never has been nor
Is il now, int nton negotiate use or apply
more thsn the four millions Of dollars rginay con
templated hat we want lie that the plan OF i'm
proyements strenously resisted by its Opponents
q Ss ~ S Be-
resfrmed TO its vsdom and policy by the hiQhest
political ibunsl OF the Dstrct-the voices o. the
people.
Yours, very respectfully, II. ID. CooKE.
At the conclusion of the reading Of this letter
there was great applause.
Prof. j. NJ. Langston was then introduced and
made q stirring speech In favor OF the loan bill
Mr.. A. X. Shepherd was then introduced and
said he had been q member OF the old city gov.
eminent, but had len IL, despairing OF ever
effecting anything under that system. The few
progressive men we're poweriess TO bring about
any change, but at la<ta wedge had been entered
by the aid Of republican Congress Heretofore
they had been tainted by members Of Congress
With do-notbing- policy, and Of having 20
depend on the nberslty OF the appropriations
made by the government They nov hope 70
done to beautffy the National Capitul. NM A.