National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-24
THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THE
DISTRICT


be found full information in regard to the
appointment and confirmation of the COM
missioners for the Gd interim government
of the District of Columbia. As fore
Swallowed in THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN
yesterday morning the President showed
his confidence in Mr.. Shepherd by nomi-
mating him for one of the positions in
question. As also indicated in the article
referred to, an ex-Cabinet member and an
ex-member Of Congress-Mr. Dennison
and Mr. Blow-were also appointed. 1t
, was the intention of the President, as
pointed out at the same time, to have de-
ferred making the nominations for some
days, and he would have carried out his
ideas in that respect if the Judiciary Com
mittee of the Senate, in consultation upon
the subject, had not advised him that under
the circumstsnces-the District being prac-
tically without a governmental would be
advisable to make nominations Immediately.
The President yielded to the counsels of
the Senate committee and the nominations
were made.
The rejection of Ex-Governor Shepherd
by the Senate was the all-absorbing topic
of conversation and comment in the city
yesterday and last night and is likely to
continue to be for some days to come. If
the majority of the Senate had had the cour-
age of the Executive, the result would have
been different. But the fact is that the mel
who Endorsed him and all that he did here
up to the very hour of his nomination,
yielded to the clamors of the opposition
press and sacrificed an officer whom they
should have supported and sustained. The
District government is now at an end for.
ever. and the men who administered it have
passed into private life with more or less
censure resting upon them. The time to
write its history has not and may never
come. If however, it shall be written. it
many of the gentlemen who have sat in
judgment and condemned it are more re-
sponsible for whatever of mismanagement
took place than its administrative officers.
Against Gov. Shepherd personally there is no
charge duplicating his official honor or integ-
rity. Millions and millions of dollars were
expended Under his immediate direction.
Investigation afterinvestigation by Congress
and suits in the courts have failed to show
that one single cent was diverted into his
pockets; and as long as the capital lasts its
avenues and streets and parks will remain
the evidence of his ability and the memo
rial to his name. He may be condemned
to-day, but time will be certain to bring him
a more complete vindication than even that
he received yesterday at the hands of the
President.
1t is to be hoped that the gentlemen who
have been selected to bring our affairs out
of their present unfortunate condition will
accept the duties imposed upon them. They
are all men of ability and experience, and
are as good and as well qualified for
the task as could possibly be selected. 1t
is, perhaps. to be regretted that at least one
man who is thoroughly acquainted with the
city is not upon the commission. When
Mr.. Shepherd was rejected, the President
determined to take outside men entirely,
and selected ex-senator Cattell. He has,
W SOLue eAlent5 hAOnlSuS0 vi Jul lntei-
ests but in the very nature of things the
commission cannot be Immediately as eff
Gent as could be desired The whole situa-
ton is, however, by no means as gloomy as
some people are inclined to imagine Two
great points have been gained First, the
city has been improved and second, Con-
gress and the country have been forced to
take broader and more generous view of
the claims and necessities of the capital than
it has hitherto been found possible to i'm
press upon them in the seventy or eighty
wears OF our existence. .