The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-10-08

against thO podlu VI ptiDuC WOIhSOi NhSn-
ington, including Mr. Shepherd by name,
charging an alleged lavish, corrupt and ex-
travagant expenditure of the public funds,
alleged fraudulent and corrupt contracts,
ETC., etc. For the charges so made,
Shepherd procured an indictment, from
one of the petty courts of Washington,
against Charles A. Dana, editor of the San,
for au alleged libel. Although the publ
cation was made in New York, 1t will be
remembered that an attempt was made to
remove Dana to Washington for trial, upon
the claim that there was o constructive
publication thereof in Washington, be-
cause copy of the Sun, containing the ar
ticle referred to, had strayed away and
turned up at the capital for the delectation
of the board of public works in general
and Shepherd in particular. The assault,
or, "a it proved, attempted assault upon
the liberty Of the press, was met with uni
versa Indignation, both on the part Of the
press and the people, but received quietus
at the hands of Judge Woodruff. \ few
weeks ago, this same Alexander II.
Shepherd was appointed governor Of the
district or territory of Columbia, occasion
ing NO little comment and surprise upon
the part OF all who had any knowledge of
the man or his antecedcnts. rs, also, with
the public generally. The public indigna-
ton at the appointment was, however.
somewhat allaycd by the announcement of
q morning newspaper in Vermont. to the
effect, that only six papers in the country
disapproved thereof.
We have thought it proper to refer to
these matters as somewhat explanatory Of
a dispatch, published yesterday morning.
and rs alIorsing room for the inquiry
might not now be found to unite in con
dcmning the appointment of Shepherd as
governor Fire tries gold as we are told,
and It's purity or alloy can he tested there
by. So money panics test mems financial
sonndncss, and the want of currency may
determine whether particular contracts are
honestly OF dishonesty made. We suppose
that there never has been any question in
reference 10 the fact that the board of pub
lie works Of the district Of Columbia ex-
pended money layishly and extravagantly.
The immense sums OF money placed at
their disposal, it, speedy use, and the little
accomplished work there was to show for
the expenditure, all united in demonstrat-
ing thus much beyond question or CON
tingcncy. Indeed, we do not know that
the, now, new iledged governor or his
particular friends and associates, ever de-
nicd this. If we mistake not, his more
timid friends threw themselves back upon
the defense that The most that could he
claimed was an error of judgment to which
every man is liable. This, to he sure. was
not saying much for the financial or bust
ness ability of shepherd, and ought not TO
have proved very powerful Recommended
ton for his promotion to the govcrnorship,
but it was, perhaps, better than tainting
him with fraud and corruption. There
may have been nothing corrupt in the con-
tracts he entered into, we surely hope and
trust that there was not. but the want of
currency in Washington has proved him to
be an excellent business man. just the indi-
vidual with whom to entrust public bust
ness, and, as would naturally follow, good
timber out of which to make governor.
What kind of contracts he made and in
payment for the work done under them he
issued the bonds of the district may be III
ferred from the fact that the most approx
ed class of these bonds were freely offered
at fifty cents on dollar. \ contractor
was asked, orr dispatches say, how he
could afford TO shave these bonds at half
their face valuc, to which he replied ''tllat
If he could realize even that much cash
upon them he would make handsome
profit upon the work done for the board Of
public works This was one Of the con-
tracts made by Shepherd, and was. rs he
slams. honestly made, and it proves what
and excellent selection was made when he
was appointed governor. Is it any wonder
that only six newspapers in the country
disapproved Of his appointment. CtrtoinH
not, only don't give us more of the same
kind.