New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-26

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This makes a total Of money received and be re-
ceved of s5e2s o. leaving more than ssOoooOo worth
| OF work yet to be provided for.
II the Board ia not bankrupt many believe 1t to be,
its many creditors will DO glad to learn tho fact
have their bills settled.
think have shown at least most reckless dsre-
gard on the part OF the Board for all legal restrictions
the expenditure OF money and In carrying their plan
of improvements must reserve for another letter
marks the character OF the work done, Illegal
"extra allowances the unlawful increase OF the Dis
rict debt. extravagant expenditures around and
streets and roads leading 10 property owned by the
members the Board tho diversion OF the school, police
and other funds substituting tho giving contracts
to the friends Of members Of Congress- aud many other
irregularities OF which the District Ring" are accused
| THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT BANKRUPT.
| VICE PRESIDENT SHEPHERD ANswERED-THE FiC-
TITIOUs ASSETS or THE BoARD-THE SCHOOL
| TEACHERS CASE.
To the Bdftor or The Tribune.
SIR: Mr.. A. X. Shepherd, who Is Familiarity
known here rs the Boss Of the Washington Ring" or
Board OF Public Works, has characteristic letter TO
THE TRIBUNE. assumed the task Of refung statements
exposing tho than weak condition OF the District
Treasury. As your regular correspondent, who made
the statements In question: Ia abundanty able TO take
care Of himself do propose TO ntrude on his
man but to present few stubborn facts which may be
worthy OF attention. Instead Of Misrepresentation
as charged TIE TRIBUNE has not told tenth part Of
the real truth which Is notorious TO the taxpayers Of
this oppressed community and will DO disclosed In
all Its naked deformty.
Mr. Shepherd is largely interested in keeping up what
he calls the credit Of our city, which, reduced TO plain
English, means tho ability TO float new loans on the
NewYork and other money markets, upon collaterals
which have current value here He is not financial
officer of the District Government and therefore his
prepared and partial figures have responsibility or
gher purpose than TO favor his interest II there
was any duty OF defense, It devolved upon Henry d.
Cooke, who unites In person the ornamental and
profitable functions OF Governor aud banker to the Dis
trct as well President OF the Board OF Public Works
The people OF Washington are unfortunately too much
accustomed 10 the statements OF Mr. Shepherd and have
learned TO measure them at commercial value which
does not represent much currency. Take an illustration
in point b.. ...f .
At public meeting in this city held ON the 81 OF Last
October he stated explicitly, and for an object that
twenty and forty hundredths miles OF roadway had
been completed. aud twentyone and forty.four hun
total OF forty one aud eighty hundredths miles on
the sd day OF October Yet In official TO
the President on tho lst OF November he claims TO have
times the aggregate youched for only four weeks pre-
vonslyl such statements" carry their own comment
In addition 10 ourages and extOrti0ns which stand in
the same category with those In South Carolina and
Everybody knows that the four millions obtained by
loan the credit OF tbeDstc the special
which haye been paid in The taSes and two and
gone; that the Treasury is empty and the Government
Is practically bankrupt and unable 70 pay It's cedtors
out being able 10 get any part OF the two millions or
due them while certificates Issued 10y the Board
Ring bsnis wero paid 10 fu from the ars uspay yoSa
bS CoDgrossfn January. IN tbs saassd Mana o. po