New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-24
,p curpUFRVS LTBEL SUIT.

heat and indignation, denounced certain re-
ports that were rife touching the Official con-
duct of ex-Gov. Alexander II. Shepherd OF the
District of Columbia as false and scandal0us,
and their authors as libelers, to the latest
phase of the matter, as exhibited in the find
ing of the District Grand Jury on Monday.
Mr. Alexander Il. Shepherd of Washington Is
known in political circles as the intimate
friend Of President Grant, in commercial cir
Giles as an extensive contractor, and to the
trade as boss plumber. We say none OIL
these things in the way of detractlOn. A man
may be all three of these and still worthy
citizen and reputable person. And we WISH
to be distinctly understood as disclaiming any
intention Of exasperating the feelings OF any
head of family, or of narrowing up the soul
of any householder by mentioning the Hon.
Mr.. Shephcrd at the close of friShtfni pipe
bursting Winter as a boss plumber. MI
sbenaerd is not to be blamed for the severity
of tho season, though we presume he maze
the most of it, as indeed has been his haDlt
with whatever he has touched or has touched
him. "
IT, WAS said of Mr.. Shepherd that while
holding various responsible official positions,
such as chief of the District Board OF Pubic
Works. Governor of tho District OF COLUMBIA,
and so forth, he exhibited great ability rs a
Number, and no little sagacity as contractor.
Il was more than intimated that his services
in official positions were very expensive to
taxpayers and profitable to himself. These
limitations took definite shape, and were
formulated into specific charges Because thcy
were an open scandal upon the Government
Of the National Capital and upon Congress
and the Federal Administration, TIE TRIB-
UNE investigated them. and from time to time
published Ii Tic { 44asa;:s It il not 600 much to
say that the facts discovered in the inquiries
were not complimentary to Dir. Shepherd or
the persons associated with him in the
management of Affairs and tue govern
ment of the District. Indeed 1T Is en-
trely within bounds, and perfectly safe
to say that our inquiries and all the in
quiries set on foot by Congress resulted in
developing a condition of absolute rOttenncss
in the Government of tnc District that fairly
rivaled the Tweed regime in New-lork. 1t
| not being at all in the line of TnE TRIBUNE
to conceal, apologize for, or extanuate the
crimes and follies of municipal misrule the
condition of affairs in the District was very
plainly stated and honestly, and Wa believe
vigorously, condemned.
We were not disappointed in the least when
the organs OF the Administration put forth
their mouths in full cry against such out
"rageOus attacks upon private character nor
were we very much overcome to ma tnat LIE
TRIBUNEs comments upon Boss Shephcrds
management were cited by the statesmen VINO
were retiring from Office at the earnest solicl-
tatOns of their constituents, rs additional IL
lustratiOns of the recklessness and mendaclty
of licentious press. When a committee or
this mans own party, after investigating thc
affairs of the District, recommended the aDoH-
ton of his government as the only REM
edy, and his own party voted 1t,
We were not very much surprised
to see his intimate friend, President
Grant reappoint him upon the Commission to
govern the District; though we confess to
start of pleasurablc astonishment when
8 vile Senate, that had swallowed almost
everything without grimace, put this nom
nation away with the remark that this was
"clrrying it too far" After this it was not
strange flat he was influential with the Pres
ident, that he welded power and distributed
patronage, and that he secured the passage OF
a law empowering him to seize all persons
who had criticised his conduct and
hale them to Washington for trial before
a court and jury of his own. And when
with the assistance Of Congressional Com
mittee he succeeded in arrestins the Editor OF
The TRIBUNE for libel, it was no more than
could be expected for the organs to break out
in praises of the courageous conduct OF this
noble man who seized this opportunity to vndl-
cate his own good name. They all agreed
that the vindication would be ample and COM
nlete. and would cover all the charges brought
against him.
PERHAPS somebody was surprised yesterday,
though we were not, to find that Mr.. Shep-
herds grand jury found only single para
oranh in q communication to the Editor OF
THE TRIBUNE, signed H." and printed April
II. 1873, upon which to base au indictment.
II was o statement that if justice in the
"District were not a mockery aud law null
"Ity. the Vice President of the Board of
"Public Works, who, while oxtricating himself
d" from financial difficulties, has brought bank
"ruptcy upon the District, would be promptly
ARRESTED and punished fol. his crimes"
and it was contained in a letter from citi-
zen of Washington casually writing to THE
TRIBUNE and replying to the misstatements OF
Mr.. Shepherd himself. This very letter from
which the extract is taken contains an abund-
ance of specific accusations upon which Mr.
Shepherd might found his Indictment If he
really desired to meet them and vindicate him
self fully. THE TRIBUNE'S editorial columns
present scores of specific accusations more
nositiye and immeasurably more precise.
WHY could not the deposed BOSS take ex-
ceptions to themf Mr. Shepherd we fear has
more stomach for bringing petty suits than