Evening star., 1897-07-31
pie of Washington that their future would

During the administration Of the successor
of Gen. Pierce, Mr.. Buchanan, of course,
this question arose again In another form.
The same embittered feeling which had ex-
listed prior to that time again sprung up all
over the land, and, finally, after the elec-
ton of Mr.. Lincoln, 1t eliminated in what
we know and have realized TO be one of
the most heartrending disasters that ever
had befallen great people, taught to be-
lieve that this nation, having the proud
boast of being government resting direct
be drawn into a contest such as existed In
this country from 1861 to 1865.
But pass that over After these troubles
had subsided. Washington was still in the
same condition which existed when Presi-
dent Lincoln took possession of hts office
He was undoubtedly very friendly to Wash
ington. and very ambitious that something
should be done to advance it's interests.
and would very gladly have done so, but
for the more engrossing subjects which
necessarily occupied his attention during
the continuance of the war of the rebellion
Gov. Shepherds Great Work.
But Washington still had future; and
when the Congress of the United States
changed the local form of government by
the appointment of a governor and the
election Of delegate to Congress, the ap-
pointment of a legislative council. the elec-
ton of house Of delegates and the ap-
polntment of the board of public works
the people seemed to take courage. At
that time the head of the board of public
works was Alexander r. Shepherd, a man
OF great energy. liberal views and full of
enterprise. He formulated a plan of i'm
provement upon a scale so large as to
startle the whole community. A great
many OF US thought that we were to be
sofa out: to use a cant phrase of that day
taxed out of the last foot of ground that
we owned He continued in the office of
vice president of the board of public works
un',l the resignation of Gov. Cook when
he became governor, and in that capacity
served Tor one year, prosecuting with
greater Vigor his plans OF improvements: but
such was the hostility aroused against him
.iiat congress, without consulting the peo-
PIE OF the city, repealed the law under
which he held his office, and provided for
the appointment of board of public works
composed OF gentlemen who had no local
interest IN the city Of Washington. Gen.
ny or the law he had a right to apnoint
ohepherd on that board He accordineIy-
sent MS name to the Senate but rotwjth
s.ahdlng the prestige of his great name
and high office. the Senate rejected Shen-
herd by large vote.
uoV. SheDberd remained here several
years seeking. suppose, to recover his lost
iioftunes. 10 and finally resolved on self-exile
III heishborlng republic Prior to his de
parture. in 1879, think 1t was-i am MT
certain as to dates, for l am relying entire
~ upon my memory now for what 7 i've
you as tacts-a public dinner was given by
ION
IN washington. at which Justice Miller of
the supreme Court presided. and in tho
course OF his remarks he expressed the
satias saEa.est sympathy for Shepherd, and the
treatment would be atoned for bv tho ,.ar,,
people who condemned him
Hon"rs on His Return,
Well, sure enough, Gov Shepherd went to
aiexico to develop an abandoned nni,a .nd
applied the great energies of his character
10 the work, under new auspices new ma
chinery' and all the appliances which had
peen discovered up to that time He re-
turned here after five or six wears and he
IL SAID 10 the honor of the people who com
uemned him, and many who did not an
prove prove OF MS conduct in the large expend-
iture OF the public money. on his return he
received an ovation, such as 7 do mt ha
iieVe mas ever been extended to any nuhlic
man IN or out of office within NV knnu,I
Cs euse. ne was rendered by the board of
commissioners of the District of Columbia
the freedom of the city, an unusual distinc-
tion. which had never before been con-
1erred upon any citizen within my knowl-
edge ' o"
1t was proud day for him, undoubtedly
and alike creditable to those who heIievsd
that through his efforts in large degree
we are now enjoying the advantages Of one
OF the most beautiful cities upon the face
Oh the earth, furnishing all the Inquiries
and generous system of embeIlishment
ana decoration-a fine system of sewera pe
abundant supply of water, beautifully
paved streets. admirable sidewalks and a
vast amount of parking, all of which ia an :
5oyed by those who own adjoining nron-
erty, without the payment of taxes
But II seems to me. for reasons which
must be obvious to every one within the
SOUND OF my voice, that although the fu-
ture of Washington is unquestionabiy as
sured by reason of the generous and pa
triotic spirit which pervades the land in
favor OF its development and Identification
we have not yet reached the point where
future and needful improvements are un-
necessary.
Some improvements Still Needed.
1t has occurred to me- and l will make
bold to state it. that in the first place we
should get rid of a fostering sore, which Is
constant menace to the health of the en-
tire city. 1 mean the Eastern branch flats
l think further that all the bridges con-
templated to bring Maryland more closely
to Washington over the Eastern branch
should be speedily constructed. And that
our national park. for which nature has
done SO much, should be at once put in a
condition for the use of the people-not
only of this city, but those who visit Wash
fngton. Also the Riverside Park, just
brought into existence by the same process
which 1 hope in the near future will be
utilized in the Eastern branch proposed i'm
proVement.
Another needed Improvement in Wash
ington is a building adequate for ali mu-
nicipal purposes, and for the business cf
this District. Public buildings of every
kind might al once be put under way. The
Long bridge, which is certainly not an at
tractive object to the eye, creditabie to
the architecture of the present age, ought
to be reconstructed upon the plan recon-
mendcd by Gen. Jackson, when President
of the United States.
And last, though not least, 1 would like
20 live to see the contemplated memorial
bridge to connect Washington with Ar
lington.
/ think. with these improvements and
many others that might be named, Wash
fngton would rise to the dignity of cap
ital worthy of a great nation of freemen,
whose institutions are worthy of such a
capital. and who are entitled to 1t as a bet
| ter means of illustrating the genius of a
| free government resting upon the will Of
the people.
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for
your kind attention.
Too Many for Him.
From the New York Weekly.
Sweet Girl-'I hope you will call again,
Mr.. Coolhead.''
M /,,ox adu