Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-03
The New washington

The memorial Il Governor Shepherd, which
We printed ia our later editions yesterday,
shows very plainly that there are two sides 10
the question a. &c the abuse of authority AMI
the transportation of funds in the District OF
Columbia. He points 20 the fact that his Of
ncial conduct has already been thoroughly in
yestgated by committee OF Congress in every
mnutest particular, that be has been comDlete-
yeAonerated from all charges, and that his
ians have been approved by Congress which
made an additional appropriation at its last ses-
sion to carry them out. He details some OF the
diffculties the present government has had 70
deal with, not the least Of which has been the
chroniek unwillingness Of rich men TO paw their
assessments. lie Invites the fullest investiga-
uon into his official conduct ard that OF his co.
adJutOfs, and points 10 the fact that for any
transportation of funds or exceeding OF
powers the compliments have an ample source
OF redress In the courts. But be says the great
BODY OF the people OF the District make no COM
plant. His case is certainly plausible The
impartial observer cannot forget how easy il h
70 excite suspicious against public men, and
how unfortunately popular IL Is just nov 70 look
upon every Official as a thief until be proves
that be is an honest man.
Something deserves TO be said on the other
side. Many Of our readers have very distinct
ard decidedly uncomfortable recOllectiOns OF
Washington as IL used 20 be. IL was 4 city Of
magnificent distances, certainly, but there the
magnihcence ended. it was one of the dirtiest.
drC arrest, most uncomfortable cities on this
continent. Its streets were in a miserable con-
diuon, covered with mud In wet weather. and
buried in dust in orY. Its markets were filthy,
and tumble-down shops. Its cOnveyances were
miserable, and IL presented q general air OF
dilapidation and despair. It's old residents OPP
posed all improvements, and its heller SIX liter.
poverty -sricken condition seemed 10 be fixed.
The present government has entirely changed
the appearance ard prospects of theciry. To-
day II IL really one of the foe cities in the
UIlon, and Its streets and avenues AMI parks
ard other Improvements have been projected
on scale which, when completed, will make Il
one OF the most beautiful cities in the
country and worthy 20 be the capital Of a great
nation. Admit that this marvellous change has
cost more money than was counted upon ~ the
beginning; even allow that some OF the funds
unfortunately incidental IL rot necessary In
carrying out works Of such magnitude.
The same charges were made against Baron
Haussmann, who rebuilt One-h half Of Paris sweep
ing away acres of Cd roOkeTies snd completely
disiDfecting vast districts 10 build a new city.
He, too, was opposed st every step by private
Interests and the organic conservatism Of old
residents. Historic associations confronted him
at every turn and accused him Of desecrat On.
But he went steadily on, determined TO apDiy
the scientific knowledge of sanitary Laws and
modern arts and material Improvements in
reconstructing that old capital, until, under his
constructive &c Mus, IL became the most Splendid
city on the globe; and when the nation bebeld
the results or his works in bouleva ards ana gar
dens and squares, briuges and barracks, hos
pltsis and ylnms, they recognized the wisdom
and eagerly subscribed for q new loan OF 2so.,
eo0, coo francs. The government OF Washington
mas been doing the same thing on a smaller
scale: ltdeserves the gratitude of the whole
country ior the work Il has already done and
has been guilty Of corruption it IL anenable 60
the laws, and let IL pay the penalty. But until
the corruption IL proved Justice requires that
We should recognize the wisdom OF its under
taking and the value ofits work.-N. Y. Craplie.