Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-21

which that task was to be performed Con-
ditions which would have appalled, and dis
couraged leader of less courage. less res
olution and less force Of character. but not
him. He had never failed in any undertake
Ing, had never disappointed the people, and
was not to dsappoint them now.
The Panic of 1873.
III our distinguished guest showed cour-
age In the beginning Of his public career.
he showed a higher courage and more bril-
liant qualities as his task progressed. With
in two years from the organization Of the
territorial form of government the panic of
1878 burst upon the country like clap of
thunder in clear sky. The day Of reck-
oning, long overdue, but still unexpected.
had come-liquidation of the war debt had
begun. To stop the work then would have
brought failure and disaster upon the Dis
trict. The difficulty of meeting increased
taxation. rendered necessary by the magni-
tude of the work under way, at time
when the people were overburdened with
private debts contracted at ruinous rate
Of interest. Increased the army Of enemies
which had pursued Shepherd from the be-
ginning. and made them more bold and ag-
sressive in their attacks upon him. All
sorts OF charges and abuse were heaped
upon him, and financial difficulties multi
piled to an alarming extent, but every
charge was refuted and every new financial
difficulty overcome
brought Congress to It's Sense of Duty
by sheer force of character and ability he
brought Congress to realize to some extent
Its obligation to the District and secured ap-
preparations which, though small, assisted
greatly, but were even more important as a
step toward the assumption by the United
States Of its equal part in providing for the
obligations and expenses of the District.
Slowly but surely, and in spite of financial
difficulties. public, and private, which few
men. If any, ever encountered before. and in
spite of enemies in and out of Congress pow
erfuf enough to have overwhelmed any other
man. Gov. Shepherd pressed forward, and
while not fully completing the work he had
commenced, pushed 1t in three years to a
point where it's completion al an early day
was certain His triumph, while not as
complete as he could have wished. was suffi-
clent to entitle him to the respect and graft
tude Of his countrymen while the city of
Washington stands. J.
The support VOf Gen. Grant.
HE fought a great and successful battle
for his native city and his country. but like
most great men wasfabused, traduced, mis-
represented and misunderstood at the time
During all his greatest trials and struggles
neither Grant nor his friends lost confidence
in him or withheld their support. But the
persistent cry of extravaganza. corruption
and unlawful and arbitrary methods. at last
induced Congress to stay his hand and place
the District government under commits
sion. President Grant promptly nominated
lin to be the first Commissioner of the Dis
trict but his enemies were numerous and
powerful enough to prevent his conlirma-
ton. ...s
The Board OF Audit vindicnted.
'His complete vindication. however. came
promptly and most Unexpectedly to his
enemies. The board of audit. composed of
the first and second controllers of the treas
ury. expert accountants and able lawyers,
after a careful and thorough investisa ton
of the accounts Of the hoard of public works.
not only extended unfinished contracts at
the so-called board rates, but they and the
first board of Commissioners extended these
contracts over new work not embraced in