National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-09-15
rus DISTRICT GoyRnsMESr.

Tho resignation OF Mr.. Henry ID. Cooke,
and tho appointment Of Mr.. Alexander X.
shepherd TO be his successor, as Governor Of
the District Of Columbia. which has been so
often forcshadowcd In the REruBLtCAS, took
place last week.. 10 local point of view the
event Ia one VI the most important and sig
niGcaut that has occurred since the organlza-
ton Of the now government, and will UNI
doubtcdly have marked influence upon the
future of our city. Mr.. Cooke, In his letter
OF resignation, printed In other columns,
fully explains the reasons which induced
him to resign tho position which he has
filed with so much credit to himself
and so much advantage to the District. As
the first Governor OF the District OF Columbia,
he will always hold an important place In the
history of the capital of the country, and
now that he Is no longer connected with our
government, we arc certain that We only
anticipate the Judgment Of the historian
when VIC say that In the management Of his
office he has done all that could have been
done to advance the interest Of the city, So
cially, materially and politically. The retir
Ing Governor has had many difficulties to en-
counter, but they have all been met bravely
and mlntully, and Us they should have been
met. In the fulhllmcnt Of his obligations
Great difficulties have Observation-Disclosures
as novel as they were uuoXpccted-but
IL cannot be denied that they have been Crap
pied with and overcome with earnestness and
vigor. The close connection Of the District
with the National Administration has had the
effect of throwing all the opposition journals
in the country into position Of hostility
toward our local government, and because Of
that connection has made II shining mark
for SANDER and defamation. Governor Cooke
and the gentlemen who have acted with him
have, upon this account, been singled out for
especial calumny aud yitupcration, but now
that he has retired he can point with justiia-
bic pride TO the record Of the last two years,
during which he has held the position of chief
executive officer. This city OF Washington,
which was the disgrace Of the country, has
blossomcd Into beauty and loyellncss 50
that 1t Is to-day the most attractive city in
the Union. Its capital has almost doubled.
the value of It's real estate has been Increased
nearly fifty per cent, and in substantial
growth We have surpassed almost every com
munity on the continent.
II Is cmlncntly fitting that Mr.. Alexander
X. Shepherd, whose courage and genius
have made so deep an impression upon the
progress Of our city during the last two years,
should be chosen as the successor of Cover
nor Cooke. As vice president OF the Board
Of Public Works he has borne the brunt OF
the attacks Of the opposition, and been as
sailed as scarcely any man has been assailed
In our politics. lie has won the position to
which he has been elevated fairly and honor
ably, and, Us u native of the District Of CO.
lumbia, we are confident that our citizens,
without distinction of party, will indorse the
warm words Of commentator which the
President Of the United States bestows upon
him. Setting aside all the petty
SANDERS and malcyo!cnce and jealousy
Of the hour, every fair and unprecedented
person cannot hut admit that Mr.. Shepherd
has wrought great and substantial benefits for
the city. In the execution of the immense
system Of improvements which have been per-
fccted under his admins lration, there are, OF
course, cases OF individual suffering; but,
taken all 10 all, no city has been improved as
this has been, with so much of positive good
aud so little Of positive evil. The record
stands, and IL Is a record to which he may
with the utmost confidence appeal for justiG-
cation. Yesterday, as IL were, the capital Of
the country was disgrace to the whole ma
ton. To-day, with It's magnificent avenues
and streets, 1t is a glory and n pride. We
have led In tho race Of civic advancement,
surprising not only every city upon our
own continent, but In the older countries of
Europe. As we said, the proud position
which VIC occupy has been mainly achieved
by the man who will to-day take the oath Of
Office as the head of our government. And
Gen. Grant, Ia appointing him'to Mr.. Cookies
vacant seat, has given expression to the feel
Ing Of the majority of our people. Ills great
services TO the District have commanded the
position, and the President In thus honoring
him has only done what tho people would
have done II the form of our government
permitted them 10 do 1t at the pollf.
In this connection, word as TO the future
has done In the past will, we arc certain, be
only the earnest Of what he will accomplish
In the future. lie has immense possibilities
before him, possibilities which 1t Is to be hoped
he Will not fail to realize. Ills iellow-citizcns