National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-23
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS,


The commissioners provided for in the
new law for the Gd intsrim government Of
the District of Columbia were not ap-
pointed by the President yesterday, and,
according to present indications, there is
very little probability that they will be ap-
pointed within the next eight or ten days.
The whole matter has been the subject of
deep consideration to the President, who
we know is anxious to meet the expecta-
tions Of the country, and at the same time
deal fairly and Justly by the District and
by Its late administration. The District
occupies peculiar position toward the ma
ton The capital of the country, singled
out In the very beginning Of the Govern
msnt as the ward of the Republic, the
President, as the executive head Of the ns-
ton, is anxious, so far as In him lies, to dis
charge the delicate duties thus imposed
upon him by. Congress. and through Con-
gress by the Constitution itself. In the
premises. the whole country has an inaerest
In the management and control of the Dis
trict; but at the same time, the people Of
Washington, who pay larger revenue to
the Governmentthan manyofthe States, and
than one half Of the Territories combined,
have also some rights which 1t is not either
fair or just to ignore. The President will
endeavOr, as fsras possible, to reconcile the
two interests-national and municipal-and
that there may be the amplest time for the
duty thus devolved upon him. will not
make any nominations for the Offices in
question until he shall have had an .oppor-
tIInity to consider the whole subject in all
It's different acpects.
The report of the Joint Investigating
Committee was not-presented until q week
ago. The bill for the government of the
District was not sent to the Executive until
last Friday. 1t provides for an important
although temporary change in our govern
ment The whole subject has occupied the
attention of the country to an almost IN
paralleled. extent and that no mistake may
be committed in the future it is necessary
that the President should have at least a
few days in which to deliberate upon the
subject. The country however. may rest
assured that its interests in the matter will
not be overlooked, and at the same time
QUE citizens may feel assured that they will
not be allowed to suffer. President Grant,
since his first Inauguration. has always
eVinced the Hveliest concern in our affairs.
he has done for the city more than any
President we have had since Washington,
and having seen the work of reconstruction
90 on under his own eyes is in position to
appreciate the magnificent Improvements
that have been made in the city during the
1ast two or three years. The Joint Investi-
eating Committee in their report have sub
stantially said that it was mainly the work of
One man. Errors may have been committed
and mistakes may have been made, but to-
day a shadow of suspicion of personal dis
honesty does not rest upon his name; he
has come out of the ordeal of an investiga-
ton the most searching In our political his
tory almost without spot or blemish. We
mean, Of course, Mr.. Shepherd. General
Grant has the fullest confidence in him, and
will show that confidence in any way that
it may be necessary to show it.
Yesterday and the day before the city was
filled with rumors as to the gentlemen who
would be selected for the newly created of.
fees Nearly all the speculations upon the
subject are at fault and it can only be said
now that the President will in all probable
ity select one gentleman who is citizen
of the District and two from other sections
of the country. The former may be Gov
ernor Shepherd or he may not Among
those from the outside who have been
thought of are an ex- Cabinet officer and an
ex-member of Congress. The Presidents
intention is to nominate the very best men
who can be found for the position who will
be acceptable to the country and to our cit
;zens To make such a selection is hardly
possible now in the closing hours of the
session, when SO much business is pressing
upon the Executive. ..F r-...-a