New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-15


AT THE APPOINTMENT OF Mr.. SHEPHERD, AND
THE PRESIDENTS ENDORSEMENT OF THE RING
INVESTIGATION FEARED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE IRIBUYE.I
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14.-The Indignation at
the appointment of Mr.. Alexander Shepherd, who
yesterday received his commission as Governor of
the District in place of Mr.. Henry ID. Cooke, is uni
Versal except on the part of those subservient to
the Rlng which rules here. Shepherd held respon-
sble for all the arbitrary acts of the Board of Pub
lie Works, and the letter of President Grant in
dorsing all that has been done is regarded with
astonishment 1t is known that the Ring has been
at work for time to induce the President to do
tins thing, but very few thought he could be pre-
vailed upon to make the appointment Ii rep
resented to him that a full Endorsement from him
could alone save the District Government and those
responsible for 1t and after Offering the place TO
another gentleman disconnected with the Ring. the
President surrendered and both appointed and
warmly Endorsed Shepherd and the work of the Ring
Property holders here are in despair this positive
evidence that the President has decided to stand by
the Ring, al a time when its arrogance is greater
than ever and its reckless destruction of private
property, its illegal acts aud it's extorions are be-
coming more unbearable than ever. All the city
papers, The Sunday Chronicle excepted, have most
President for selecting him. The Sunday Chronicle
says
The resignation OF Gov Cooke, and the appointment
Of A. r. Shepherd his successor will take nobody by
surprise has been the programme OF the Ring
since Gov. Cooke wanted relieve himself OF scrape
OF more magnitude than he bargaiued for We free
10 say that the President has been imposed upon and
that had he idea of the system Of proaigacy and
bunders under which the people suffering he would
relieve M he nj nominating e.
The Transparent gauze OF improvements will not hide
the corruption behind t. The people of this District
and OF the country It. and hope that the proper
tIme through their representatives in Congress- they
viii treat 1t the people of New-YOrk did Tam
many. Nothing but such an investigation will ever
get at the truth, and the Ring understand it, and
well aware that transfer OF authority would
be their ruin. While appreciate the interest the
President feels In the District sorry that he has
acquainted himself sufficiently TO know that the
present managers the worst possible material that
could have been selected. and we will be very much
mistaken in the temper OF the next Congress IL he will
not be convinced Of the fact, as well as induced to
recommend the abolition Of the present system OF gov
crnment, and placing the District under the direct
jurisdiction OF Congress, through agents that will have
some responsibility beyond speculation in town lots and
the erection OF private mansions at the cost OF the tax
payers Of the District.
Dr. Blake who has been appointed in place of Mr..
Shepherd the Board OF Public Works is quiet and
highly respectable old gentleman, the President of
DaIk IN SDeputIu OF tue
District Government are directors officers. He has
no tastes in common with the who make up the
Ring, and if he accepts the rest will only the
easily more carry things their own way. He
was Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds,
under President Pierce and in other days known
a prominent Democrat, but OF late years friend OF
the President
Henry A. Willard has been promoted to the Vice Presi-
dency of the Board in place of Mr. Shepherd, who
President but becomes President by Of
his appointment as Governor.
GOV. COOKIES FORMAL RESIGNATION.
Gov. Cooke formally rendered his resgna-
ton in the following terms:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, Sept. TO- 1873 :
Has ErcelIency, U. s. GRANT President:
DEAR beg tender my resignation OF the Office
Governor of the District OF Columbia 10 take effect
Saturday next, the 18th inst. am urged to this
action by the fact that the combined demands from my
private business and my public duties have been
acting that am longer able 10 meet both or either
OF these demands thoroughly AZ could wish Yet 1t
has been my sincere purpose administer the
meDt Of the District best to promote the welfare OF
people OF all classes ana 10 advance the National
Capital to that position which 1t ought 10 occupy the
seat OF the National Government. This purpose has
been ably seconded by The other officers OF the District
government and especially by the Vice President OF the
Board OF Public Works and my other associates of the
Board whose energy, courage ana comprehenSve Judg
have achieved such brilliant results have also
thank you Mr.. President, for the unyarying conf
dence you have reposed in me- ana for the substantial
announcement and support you have gwen to me and
associates in the management Of the affairs OF the
District. With sentiments of great regard and sincere
respect, your oDedlent servant, ii. ID. COOKE.
To this letter the President replied as follows:
LONG BRANCH, n. j.. sept. IL, 1873.
DEAR SIR: Your letter Of resignation OF the office OF
Governor OF the Territory Of the District OF Columbia
received and II is with regret that accept IT, You being
the Governor the District Of Columbia since the
present Administration has been applied tOlt am aware
of the labor you have been called upon to perform IN
organizing and systemazing new forms and modes Of
administration, and also how zealously aud ably you
have performed those duties. Under your admlnistra-
ton OF the affairs 0f the Territorial Government OF the
District of Columbia assisted you have been BY able
and energetic subOrdnates the National Capital has adj
yanced toward what 1t should be with rapidity that
astonShes and pleases every one who has been away
from il for few years and retarns III your
m office give the satisfaction You have, property
owners the District of Columbia the people at large
and all who interest In the National Capital Will
have congratulate themselves In the form
OF government given them. Yours truly U. :. GRANT.
The Hon. ii. d. COOKE, GOcerno' Territory District Of
Columbia