The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-09-29
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

Eitu Of he Register:
have promised you IL letter for some
time, and will endcavor to fulfill my OF.
legation at the present time. by giving
you brief sketch of the great reforms
and changes that have transpired in THIS
District, since the establishment over it in
1871 Of territorial form Of government,
aud especially through the instrumental
ty of Board of Public Works. institu-
ted contemporancously, with this radical
change
TO accomplish this in one communca.
tion is difficult task, and must con.
dense when | would like to deal in par.
ticularities.
1t is notorious fact. that before our
late war, and even up to the period of the
adoption of the now system of rule here,
Washington was the subject Of severe but
nevertheless just criticism, as being little
better than mud hole, and unfit the
dignity OF being the capital city of a
great nation. Indeed tho truth Of this
was so apparent, that western men and
spectators had started campaign for
the removal of the seat of government 10
more central locality on the continent
and but for the brisk and effective steps
taken to overcome and wipe out the stis
ma resting upon the place, it is not i'm
probable that this might have beer
accomplished. The BDard instituted IA
! have referred to, adopted a general pla,
of reform, and was oilicercd by the Gov
ernment Of the District. Hon. Henry u
Cooke, as president; Hon. A II. Shep
herd, vice.president and body @
directors, and the great undertaking in
volving paving Of streets. change o
grades, construction Of a uniform system
of sewerage, planting of shade trees, park
ing and turtfing avenues and streets, anC
filling up and sealing forever the pestiier
Gus canal that had so long been tn,
breeder of sickness and disease, was begul
and carried on until now, within the bric
period Of trife over three years, Wash
ing'on has risen ph~nix like from its dir
and We may almost say squalor, to be
come as well paved and generally ap
pointed city as can be found in tn
length and breadth Of our land. W
will give some figures which will bette
show the grand work that has been &c
complished. During the short perio
just mentioned, there has been begun an
completed 1913 miles Of new sewer fror
80 feet to 6 inches in diameter; 20
! miles Of sidewalks 260 miles improve
, road ways; 3,340,000 cubic yards c
grading; 80 miles of new water main
. miles lowered 80 miles Of gas main
1912 new buildings put up; 10000 tree
set out, and $4,000 under preparation
These are some Of the items connectc
r with the great revolution that has bee
brought about here. While our spa
will not permit us TO enumeratc the nc
parks at the intersection Of streets al
! avenues that have been laid out wi
7 beautiful fountains in their conters. un
. the erection OF magnificent private res
. denccs by wealthy citizens and capi.ali-
$ from abroad whose attention has been Il
,, tracted here by the delightful cima
/ and unlimited conveniences that obta
/. in every department that the heart coul
G coyct or could wish, for this great /
4 newins and rebuilding of the nation
= capital We are no false historian in II
r crbing the principle praise to one wi
Z springng from the bosom Of this pcop
g and from its common walks in life, b
9 brought himself by his indomitable enerl
3 and faculties that have been CROMWELL.
d in their vigor and force, TO stand forth
>. the highest type of a ieiormer aud pracl
t., cal business mind. We refer to Hon. .
e K. Shepherd late governor OF the distric
!, and who has been the subject Of so mu'
C abuse by the satanic press, from tn
l. bazaar Of slime and dirty scandal. II
!, New York SHn, down to the scribblin
: Of the penny oliners that haunt this ci
l. in the winter, and write to their count
VI papers with one hand while they clI'
Is the other behind them Rreried aud rea,
'l TO catch anything that may drop, TO pu
oi chase their mercy and silence Duril
N the late Congressional Investigation in
the affairs Of the district, this hero Of 4
SIS splendid improvements that spoke I
70 themselves, was scarcely ever abse
Is from the sessions Of the committee, a
id after all 'l,t had been said aud done, n
Of a jot or tit'le of proof could be found
le culpa,iug him IN any wrong or fra
at other than that he had striven to do I
q, much in too short a time blame rea,
ID " TO be forgiven when he could POI
e. from the capitol to a city redeemed irt
ID its uncouth and abject condition to becol
i. new light set upon hill, whose nagu
rs cence and beauty should reflect an hor
of upon its people, and glory to the gr'
be nation OF which it is the seat Of COVE
. mani Nvprr.s