Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-30
INCIDENTS RECALLED
~ 70
George G. Goorh Ia .Remin-
iscences of Gov; Shepherd.
HIS PoWERIN. CONGRESS
PLAN OF IMPROVEMENTS APPRE-
GATED THERE.
Opposition by Citizens eliminated in
an Investigation In Which He Was
Completely INDICATED.


"a few incidents in the public career Of
the late Governor Shepherd may well be
recalled at this time" remarked George c.
GOrham. who was secretary of the Senate
at the time the great Shepherd improve
ments were made. to Star reporter today.
1t was my good fortune to enjoy his
friendship and to have good opportunities
to observe his bearing in the most trying
time of his life.
President Grant never made a wiser
selection than when he chose Shepherd to
execute the plans on which the federal
capital had originally been laid out in
President Washingtons time. The act of
Congress organizing new District gov
eminent created a board of public works
and placed conditional limit on the
amount to be expended: that Is to say, 1t
was not to exceed So .OOOOO unless more
should be required to carry out compre-
hensive plan Of improvements If the city
was to be improved in patches. after the
usual manner in such enterprises. then the
limit was to apply. but If it was to be i'm
proved as whole-if the city which had
never yet existed was to be created-then
the only limit would be the judgment and
will of future Congresses.
Shepherds Comprehensive Plan.
shepherd was the vice president of the
board of public works. 1t is no reflection
vi the OlueT He1IlD6TS 10 say tndI tney
made his word their law. There was no
patching. He ploughed up the District
from Georgetown to the navy yard. and
from the Potomac river to the boundary.
Hills were cut down and sloughs and
bitches leveled up. Citizens and strangers
whether Congress would ever furnish the
means for completing the projected i'm
provements. A second thought told them
that 1t was too late for them to be stopped.
a oil for To frr1I oy,d
1T would have to be restored throughout.
People saw for the first time the entire
plan of the city. Avenues and streets,
reservations, circles, squares and triangles-
aggregating 53 per cent of the city'S area
were graded: trees were planted every
| where, sewers were constructed. gas and
| water mains were extended, and the com
prehensive plan of improvements suggest
ed in the statute was fully realized.
Pleading With Congress.
The master of this work had enough to
do to organize the forces to carry it
through, but he did much more; he labored
to impress upon Congress the absolute
| necessity Of voting the money and credit
| necessary for 1t, and he succeeded. Wen
do 1 remember the skill with which he
| moved about among senators and repre-
sentatives. He called upon leading citi-
| zens to go to the. Capitol with him when
| necessary. He saved the largest single ap-
| preparation of $1,000. O00'by a careful study
| OF the one memDeFrOfs the conference COM
mittee upon whose vote the decision hung.
| Acting on the information thus obtained, he
| called upon the senator before 0 in the
| morning. when a. nights rest. w;irm
| breakfast and a good cigar had placed him
| in calm and receptive mood. He explained
| to him the Importance of the appropriation
| and the danger that its defeat might cause
| a delay of the work for year, and finally
| said he could not himself see how the APP
| preparation could be saved. but said he,
| II it Is at all possible you can do It, We
| do not ask Of you even to attempt it, but
| If you see the way open We feel sure you
| will do It The appropriation was reported
| favorably and the three million saved
while this appropriation was pending a
| very distinguished and leading member OF
| Congress addressed Shepherd letter urg-
| ing certain action In favor of client. Its
| Importance In the mind of the congressman
| may be judged by the fact that he attempt
| ed to enforce it by reminding the governor
| of his power In the House. Instead of COM
plying with the demand. the latter irl:ne-
| diately indorsed the back of the letter
| the following reply and returned It to the
| member:
Dear -:
"'You have sent me the within letter by
| mistake. Yours truly.
IA r. SHEPHERD.'
Less Persuasive Methods.