New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-20

District How much this proposal may have
to do with another which promises to develop
into the greatest lobbying scheme that even
this lobby cursed country has ever known
TO wit, the scheme to saddle upon the General
Government the debts of the Southern States
does not yet appear. But it is obvious
enough that the assumption of the District
debt will be precedent for the other scheme
which its advocates will be sure TO make the
most of. The arguments against the Assumption
of the Southern State debts are too familiar
TO need to I've recited 1t is enough to say that
the people of the North will never consent to
pay gang of spectators one hundred cents
upon the dollar for obligations which are the
certificates of fraud and the proceeds of rob-
berry, and have been bought for a song with
| guilty knowledge. They may be cheated into
it. as they have been cheated before, by false
representatives who Will lead the way to it
by such precedent as this proposition of
Gov. Shepherd would furnish, but in no other
way can it be carried through.
| There is another point in this matter how
ever which deserves prior consideration. Be-
fore the debate upon the assumption of this
debt opens, we suggest that an investigation
into the manner in which it was incurred, its
extent, and all the circumstances of it be or
dered. Indeed, Mr.. Alexander r. Shepherds
appointment as Governor should not be con-
frmed by the Senate until all the charges
that have been so freely bruited as to his con-
nection with corrupt Ring in District affairs
are thoroughly sifted and their truth or
falsity shown. This is due Mr.. Shep-
herd as well as the people of the
District At present he is under cloud, and
we may be permitted to say that the singu-
larly unanimous votes of confidence In him by
the Republican Ward Clubs of Washington,
on Tuesday evening, are not sufficient 10
cleanse his reputation or exonerate nm from
the suspicion which has attached to him. Inc
single fact that after the enormous approprla-
tions of last Winter the District Is still I'M
able to pay its teachers, tiremen, and police
men. is such O suspicious circumstance
rs of itself to demand investigation, and
the reports apparently well authenti-
Gated that the District debt exceeds by
millions the limit fixed by law, are adj
ditional reasons for searching inquiry into
Mr.. Shepherds administration. We are only
stating a well-knOwn fact when we say that
the current opinion among members of Con-
gress of all parties IS that the cOrruptlonS Oh
the Washington Ring exceed those of Tam
many. Never was investigation more impera-
lively demanded. 1t should be had in any
event upon the question of Mr.. Shepherds
confirmation, without waiting for the PROPOSE
ton concerning the debt, or for the plan
which is believed to be in contemplation to
abandon the Territorial Government and gov
ern the District by commission
Speaker Blaine, if reelected. will have de-
volved upon him the duty of appointing a
committee of investigation. The old Commit
tee on the District Of Columbia will not do,
nor any member Of it, They may be sum-
moned as witnesses, perhaps but Mr. Blame
cannot afford to appoint them, or any of them,
as judges. And neither Congress nor the
country can afford TO let the matter go by
without investigation.