Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-10-04
THE GREAT MASS MEETING.
THE FRIENDS OF PROGRESS OUT IN FORCE
Defence Of the District Coyernme Mt,
Eloquent Addresses By Gov. Cooke,
u. ssrs. A n. Shepherd, John II.
y ao"ka A n HS...' S"a
Prof LangsiOn.

Brooks. A q. k1ddie, JOha
r. COOK. A. ~. ClaPp, and
PrOf. LangsiOn.
The friends Of progress in the District of Co
lumbia assembled in mass meeting at Lincoln
Hall last evening, to testify their appreciation
OF the efforts being made by the District gov
eminent, including the board of public works
for the improvement and Identification OF the
capital. The hall was literally packed, among
the audience being many Of our best citizens
and a goodly number of those who, although
identified with the de mocratic party, are pro-
ncunced friends Of public Improvement The
hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion,
and Donch's band, in uniform. occupied the
orchestra. At O'Clock Governor Cooke came
Following him came Messrs. Alex. X. Shepherd,
j. A. Msgruder, A. e.. Riddle, T.. l.. Stanton,
Hallet kiibourn, A. nj. Ciapp, Gen'l Mussey,
and a number OF other well-known gentlemen,
who were also eceived with applause.
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER
by Mir. John II. Brooks, chairman of the re-
publican general com mittee, who, in a few ap-
prOpiiate remarks, said that the time had
arrived when II becomes the duty, alike to citi-
zen ard govern ment and TO truth and justice,
that the facts relative to the local govern IN ent
should be given. Not in answer to the Oh argos
and Misrepresentation of VIGOROUSLY infamous
political demasegIes, who, driven by their ras-
cality from distant states, make our city an
asy lum: in notice of the biIIingsyats of hired
20 .itical ASA sins who stand ready TO stab the
reputation or body OF honorable men for the
consideration OF any paIty's money. He then
announced the following
OFFICERS or THE MEETING.
Presdent-Henry l.. Cooke.
Vice PrssdentS-William g. Metzerots, H.
Semken, John Hitz, Hon. y. M. Clapp, isaac
Bailey, Aug. Schroeder, John W. BrOnaugh,
Lindsey Muse, Nicholas Acker, James a TAFT,
George Il. McCartee. Leonidas Scott, John o..
Evans, l.. X. Bond, j. w. Thomson, Dr. Chas
II. Cragin, Dennis SIM atwood, s. H. Kaufman,
William stickney, n. Wilson, Charles ID. Mich
oils, u. l.. Eaton.
Robinson, John L. johnson, ". l.. Cowan, Geo.
X. Wilson, Henry johnson, ". w. Writ, VIM.
Pierce, Warren ChOate, George w. StIckney,
William NJ. johnson, Joseph t. Settle, W. IL.
Barker, Henry Dade, Frank III. CASA
Clarence M. Barton, Henry Birch DIR. Thomi as
A. Richey, Henry c. Addison, Hugh Murray,
Carter A. Stewart, Sidney McF srland.
Mr.. Brooks then introduced Governor Cooke,
who was received with a storm Of applause and
cheers. When quiet had been restored, the
Governor spoke as follows:
Opening Address Of Governor Cooke.
Ny FeIiOt1 Citizens II have accepted the in
vitation to preside over this meeting the more
willingly because an opportunity is now offered
OF presenting to your candid consideration GER
tain facts connected with the administ ton of
affairs under the present government Of this
District, of which facts some are only partially
understood, and others have been most grossly
perverted and msrepreSented. 1 refer espe-
ciallv to the operations OF the board Of public
works. These have been impeded AMI en-
tarrassed at every step, from their very incep-
ton to the present moment, by every possible
form OF factious, and even OF malignant and
meIdacious, opposition. The malcOntents first
appealed TO the courts, then the people, then TO
Congress; and now we come back again to the
people. In all these arTaignments the board
has been hitherto triumphantly sustained; and
we confidently accept this second appeal to the
people, looking for the same approval and the
same yindication We have heretofore received
at their hands.
But confidence deserves and begets con-
fdence. We do not AJAX yours without first Civ
ing you ours. You will be presented this, evening
with complete and exhaustive statement of
the plan of improvements adopted by the board
now rapidly approaching completion, together
with the cost thereof, the amount already ex-
pended, and the amount available to complete
the work. 1t is in relation to these expendi-
lures that 50 many absurd and exaggerated
statements have been made. These statements,
made for political effect, are, as will be- shown,
utterly false, and without the shadow OF foun-
dation. As to the current expenditures Of the
District government proper, need only say that
the appropriations made by the legislature tor
the current year, and that in making those ap-
preparations that body kept scrupulOusly within
the estimates OF taxes to be received. There
estimates, 1t Is now demonstrated, will be fully
realized, and that, too, without a single pennys
increase in the ratio or percentage of taxation.
will not go farther into Diet Ails, because the
facts in relation to expenditures for improve
ments viii be fully presented to you by another:
by one to WHOM desire here publicly to express
my profound thanks, personally and off cially
for his invaluable services as vice president and
executive officer OF tbs board of public works
Long applause.l
His task has been Hercuieau, and he has grap-
pied IL and mastered it like Hercules. Most
the target Of criticism and SANDER. Amidst the
storm OF poisoned missiles he has stood unJnOved
and unblanched, intent only On TIC cII.st wors
before him, lapplause;l and with clear head and
steady hand he proceeded with its execution. /
need not name him. You ali know him. and the
day is not far distant when every true hearted
Washingtonian will be proud 20 claim him as a
native born son OF the city, to whose beauty and
been welded in the indissoluble ties of a mar
rage whose progeny are progress and develop
ment. IApp'1use.l
But, my fellow-citizens, would no. be under
stood as disparaging the services of other mem
bers OF the board OF public works in having
thus especially alluded to those of the vice pres
ident. They have brought TO their work a zeal,
an intelligence, q devotion, an untiring industry
and an answering integrity of purpose and Of
action without which the great results achieved,
and TO be achieved, could not be accomplished.
These results leave with you Tor your candid
verdict.
When they entered upon their duties they
found the capital Of the nation q quagmre in
the winter and dust heap in the summer, its
streets pasture grounds for cattle, its sewers
surface pools and cutters rivulet OF Offal and
filth, its centre trayersed by a currentless canal
whose fetid bosom eXhaled malaria and death,
they found business stagnant, enterprise and
labor unemployed, property depressed, and over
all this dref- y and barren waste hung low and
threatening the cloud Of capital removal.
How is il now? Ask the dealers in real estate.
Ask the merchant, the grocer; ask the laboring
man; ask the capital mover, if YOU can find such
an individual; ask congress, which, at the con-
clusion of a protracted investigation into the
affairs OF the District government, voted over
four millions Of dollars mainly for the improve
ment and identifying OF the national capital.
IApplause.l
And now a word az to the reelection of our
gallant standard bearer in this campaign, Gen.
Chapman. (Applause.l have already drawn
a rude sketch OF one noble Roman Of our Dis
trict government. j come now to his par Mobile
frGteT-his equally Eoble brother. The people
Of the District have tried him and he has not
been found wanting. [Applause.] AS gen.
tleman of culture and intelligence he worthily
represents the refinement of the national capt.
tai. As sincere and devoted republican he
can be safely trusted with the guardianship OF
every political and civil right Of every voter Of
the Dist,ict, of whatever nationality or color.
As man OF contentious purposes, and clear
views Of right and policy, he will continue to
preserve. as he has heretofore possessed, the es-
TEEN and respect of his fellow members OF the
House OF Representatives; and finally, as he las
served the District faithfully and well during
his first term of Office, rejecting honor upon his
constituents and his District the latter cannot
honor Ives han xh