National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-24
THE NEW COMMISSION

ShETCHES OF THE COMMISSIONERS
THEIR NOMINATION AND CONFIRMA
T1oN-SP EOULATIoNs AT THE CAPI
ToL-THE LONG AGONY OVER Al
LAST.
The President yesterday sent to the Senate tn,
names Of the gentlemen selected by him Il
govern the District under the bill providing fol
three commissioners, which was prepared by tn,
Investigating committee. They are Gov. Alex
ander R. Shepherd, ex-Postmaster General Den
nison, Of Ohio, and Hon. Henry T. Blow, Of Mis-
souri,. When the names Of the nominees became
generally known considerable speculation was
INDUCED IN as to the merits OF the candidates
and their ability to carry on the government In
Gov. Shepherd was amply able Of fulfilling the
duties Of the new otf1ce, but the general DISPOSE
ton in Congress to have new men cast doubt on
the chances Of the Senate sanctioning the nomi
nation. There was some disappointment on &C
count Of the non-residence Of two of the commits.
sioners, but this was easily explained, from the
fact that the new government Is national in Its
character instead OF local.
Shortly after the names were submitted, an ex-
ecutive session was held for the purpose Of their
general attack was commenced on Gov. Shepherd.
which eliminated in the nomination being laid
This was followed by the confirmation Of Messrs.
Dennison and Blow. The President on receiving
Information Of the Senate's action, Immediately
nominated Hon A. g. Oattell, Of New Jersey, TO
the vacant commissionership, and he was unani-
mously confirmed. -.. ....
During the discussion It was developed that
from various portions of the country against the
Board Of Public Works Senator Logan stated
that while in Illinois he found that the board was
o more prolific source of discussion than even the
finances, and that Governor Shepherd was q con-
slant object for attack. Senator Morton corrob-
grated this, and stated further that his CORE
spondence freely dealt with the management Of
affairs In this city. Senator Edmunds was also
very severe on the board, and particularly with
the nomination OF Governor Shepherd. The fol-
lowing are the six Senators who voted in favor Of
the Governor: Chandler, Clayton, Jones, Patter-
son, Sargent and Spencer.
The three gentlemen who are henceforth to- pre-
side over the destinies Of the District have ma
tonal reputation, and have all occupied positions
OF honor and trust under the Government. In
private as we'll as public station they are with
out reproach, and the business relations Of their
present position is a sufficient guarantee Of the
capacity to efficiently conduct the affairs Of this
District. Under their management careful and
emcient government can be confidently antici-
pated. .
Hon. Alexander G. Oattell, of New Jersey, first
appeared prominently before the country as
United States Senator from the State named.
he had been engaged in commercial pursuits, and
has aworld-wide reputation for business sagacity.
During his service in the Senate he was an active
participant in its deliberations, and questions
requiring practical economical opinions his inf1u-
ence was always felt. After the close of his SEN
atorial term he was nominated by the President
as one of the OWL Service Commission but before
he had fully entered upon the duties he was called
TO more active sphere. The United States was
In funding portion of its debt, and he
was called to conduct the business of the Govern
ment in Europe as financial agent. In this deli
cate labor he was entirely successful. His labors
In this capacity had hardly concluded before the
was cOnfided to him.
Ex-Governor William Dennison, of Ohio, who
is also one of the commission, is so well known
that not more than passing notice is required.
He has occupied various honorable places in his
native State, including the Governorship, and he
has also figured conspicuously under the General
He was appointed Postmater Gen.
erRl by President Lincoln, and successfully con-
Quoted the duties Of that important office. When
Andrew johnson withdrew from the Republican
party Governor Dennison retired from the Cabi-
net and returned to Ohio In the Senatorial cleo
ton which took place thereafter he was promi-
present he is largely interested in Southern rail
time
Hon. Henry T. Blow, of Missouri, is q man of
prominence, and has also been an |
active participant in national politics. While |
The war was in operation he served in the army, |
and after the conclusion Of ho,tlities be Eepre-
'ented one Of the St. Louis districts in the H0ise
If Representatives. Upon his retirement from |
congress ne was appointed Minister to Brazil |
He, however, returned from that station, and |
isoS s1s ,,,.,,,.,,.s.,S -c.,--I drawIH% an an
laai salary Of ten thoaia1d 3offisfg His BUSHES
agacity and executive abilities are universally
It is by no means certain that the gen.
lemen will accept. They are all holding i'm
,ortant and remunerative positions, and It is pos
ible that they will be indisposed to sacrifice per
Onal interests to accept q work in which others
ave been so ssvagely maligned.
ANOTHER STATEMENT.
The agony which the people of the District had
Uttered for the past two days was brought to an
nd yesterday by the nomination by the President |
the Board Of Commissioners provided for in
he new District bill. Many had fretted them
elTes sick on Monday, and were SO much inter- 4
sted that they lounged about the fopbfesr and I
Orridors OF the Senate during the long hours Of |
he night, enduring the terrible heat and the |
ther disadvantages, only to go home early in the
morning sadly disappointed. By 10 o'clock they |
omer who was supposed to have the most remote |
hances of getting news, and failing to get any |
hing definite would go into couJectures. There |
we're a few knowing ones who offered to make bets |
N the ''slate" they had prepared, but there was |
UGH an air Of uncertainty about 1t that but few
akers could be found. Il
10 did the uncertainty Of these nervous and |
Inxious gentlemen. Late in the afternoon the |
President sent in his message, nominating as the
ommission, Hon. A. X. Shepherd, ID. O., Hon. |
L. Z. Blow, No., and Hon. VIM. Dennison, Ohio. |
Then came the question as TO whether they would /
u confirmed, and after an anxious interval the |
loors were opened It was announced that Mr.. |
Shepherd had been rejected by vote OF 80 to 9, |
md that the two other gentlemen had been con- |
lrmed. This announcement had hardly been |
made before it was said that Hon. A. q. Cattell,
4 N. J., had been nominated instead Of Mr.. |
Shepherd, and q few minutes later he was con |
lrmed, thus completing the list.
The rejection Of Mr.. Shepherd was for a while |
he universal topic of conversation about the Cap
toll, and while many Of his known opponents were |
lated and his warm friends detected. the general |
ceiling Of the dsinterested was that On act of in
ustice had been DONE and that Mr.. Shepherd |
Fas too much Of q man to be kept down, even If |
he Senate in its wisdom failed to confirm his |
erv proper nomination.