Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-21
need no patent of nobility to be handed
down to coming generations"
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Mr.. Parker referred to that small army"
of ex-Commissioners of the District of Co.
lumbia. and called upon ex-Commissloner
j. w. Douglass
Mr.. Douglass related an anecdote illus
trating the way in which Gov Shepherd
did work. He had occasion to make COM
paint about well that stood in the middle
OF the sidewalk near bis house. There was
no sooo reason why the well should be
Kept there as there was other means of Sc
curing water In the reighborhood and at
o clock one morning he stated the case to
GOV Shepherd. When he went home from
| his office that afternoon he found the punp
gone and men with carts were there ready
to fill up the well. That, he said, was SIM
ply an example of the promptness that
characterized Gov. Shepherds manner of
doing work.
Mr.. Shepherd. he said, was held in high
esteem by Gen. Grant. Mr.. Douglass was
at that time commissioner of internal rev.
enue, and he had occasion to frequently 20
10 the White House in order to consult the
President about a system for the retronch-
ment OF expenses that was being inaugur-
Gov Shepherd was frequently spoken
or. said Mr.. Douglass, land on every oc-
casion OF that kind 1t was very evident that
Gen Grant had the utmost confidence in
nm. He enjoyed this confidence Of the
PRESIDENT from first to last. / know from
my personal Intercourse with the President
always.
Senator Stewart said something about
Mr. Thurman's estimate of Gov Shepherd
want to tell you what Mr.. jeremiah VIII
son OF Indiana said of Gov Shepherd after
TWO years of Investigation. He told me
that that Investigation did not result In the
nnd1nS or one penny of the governments
money wrongfully in the hands of Gov.
shepherd, and he regarded him as one of
the ablest men in the mana cement of NUM-
cipal affairs that this country had ever pro-
duced.
7
F Streets That was one of the first streets
to be torn up. 1t was dug down eight feet,
which exposed springs, and made a hor-
Iioly unhealthy as well as muddy eondl-
ton, and somebody got out an Injunction
and the street remained in that condition
for about year. Then Gov. Shepherd be-
gan work In all parts Of the city. 1t was
easy enough to get out an In iunction when
one street was being cut down. hut it was
pretty hard TO have an injunction. served
on 10000 men and carts at the same time.
That was the only way to do it. The thing
was commenced and 1t had to be finished,
and the result is we have a city today Of
which we are all proud, and 1t is confess
eGly the most beautiful city in this country.
and before the century has passed, OF the
wide world
observation-disclosures whentIey.
Ex-Commissioner Wheatley spoke OF his
recollections of the work of Mr.. Shepherd. =
1T has been claimed by a great many
people that the energy and enterprise of our
city has been found in men who have come
here from other states But We point TO the
example of Gov. Shepherd to show what
has been done by native of our District
He was condemned by many while carrying
out his great work, but time has taught us
that his methods were the only methods
that could have been pursued with success.
We honor him for what he has done and
we hope that We will have more Shepherds
to carry on the work which he has inaugu-
rated"
Mr.. Geo. C. Gorhnm.
Mr. George C. Gorham, who was the next
speaker, said:
II have sometimes seen a dirty little boy,
ragged and with hair unkempt, turned over
to some one to be washed / have seen
lin kick and struggle and scratch, but
finally he was overcome and has been
washed and given clean clothes and sent
to bed. and he has slept and awakened the
next morning a real nice and clean little
boy. Twenty-Five years ago this city was
like such little boy, dirty and ragged.
Never did any little boy kick so hard
against being scrubbed, but he was scrub
bed. He taken by a strong arm. He
was given a dose of soap and water and
given clean clothes. and as time has gone
by he has grown to be handsome and
respectable ornament to society.
This splendid assemblage tonight, with
all the people of the city whom 1t represents.
compose that little boy, grown up. and mere
us all congratulate ourselves that we ere
clean and wholesome, and now the little boy
bears no Ill will toward the man who had
him cleaned.
"As a personal griend of Gov. Shepherds
I find no need now to recall the kicks end
struggles. 1t has all been forgotten. Now
and then voice may be raised, as in some
Indian village, when all the other dogs cease
barking and sparling. some little Debated
cur lets out yelp But he does not disturb
anybody. There are only friends around
Gov Shepherd now. don't believe he has
five enemies In the District of Columbia
doubt whether he has one. He is here to
remain, we hope. 1t is our desire that We
should have his advice to promote the fu-
ture of our city, and We all heartily welcome
him to our midst"
Mr.. Breslin.
Mr.. James H. Breslin was introduced.
Mr.. Breslin spoke of his former scouaint-
ance with Governor Shepherd and of the
unwholesome condition of the city previous
| to Governor Shepherds work.
II will give a thousand dollars. said
Mr.. Breslin. toward a monument 10 be
erected for Governor Shepherd. and think
We ought to do X now. Let US erect the
| monument while he lives. Let him ride
by and look at it. A movement OF this
kind would be participated In by people
all over the United States 1t would not
be confined to the city of Washington.
Alexander Shspherd Is a man Of the psople-
He is not politician.
MIR. VIM. f. MattinGiy.
Mr. Parker called next upon Mr.. VIM r.
Mattingly. who gave an Interesting account
CT occurrences before the investigate
committee, showing what triviallties were
relied upon to do injury to Shepherd, and
then as a friend from boyhood Of the guest
of the evening paid a most eloquent tribute
to his personal qualities.
Mr.. VIM. 8. ROOse.
Mr. William S. Roose spoke of Gov. Shep-
nerds enterprise as a citizen. Gov. Shep-
herd had attracted much capital here, snd
together with others he had buiit 2oe
houses in all parts of the city. He in that
way had done much to develop the city.
Col. w. G. Moore.
Col William G. Moore superintendent Of
the metropolitan police force. spoke briefly.
but with feeling. about the great work Of
|! Gov Shepherd and the danger which The
governor had encountered in carrying out
policy that was strenuously opposed by
many citizens.
Gov Shepherd and had been boys to-
gether" said Maj. Moore. I'VE had Grown
up together and knew each other well. He