Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-22

pose Mr.. Noyes not only as editor
of The Star but an individual was
always ready TO assist in any movement
tending To bring to the highest possible
fruition the capitals promise and pOsSl-
bilities. and to combat any idea OF move
ment calculated tn lower its moral tone
10 check its growth or to impose unjust
financial or political conditions upon it,
Mr. Moves. was never disposed to ap-
ea~ in public as speaker or an ac-
tive participant in the immediate manage
ment of details. His was rather the
force 10 plan. to encourage and TO
foster the energies of others. There was,
however. a period of personal activity
in public affairs on his part. In 1863 he
acce pied nomination as member of
the city council. and was elected. and for
two successive terms Immediately follow
ing he served alderman from the old
seventh ward. now known as South
Washington. In these capacities he stood
for public honesty and fought vigorously
for the maintenance of the proper stand
ards of citizenship. Mr.. Noyes found
however, that the duties of municipal pub
lie life confiicted with his newspaper
work TO some extent. and he retired from
politics and foreswore all ambition to
occupy public office
In Support of Gov. Shepherd.
But his interest in Washington. the cap
ital grew with his appreciation of its
came governor of the District. Selling to
his partners his stock in The Star corpora =
ton, and besan bis splendid work of res
cuing the city from the mud he had no more
vigorous and loyal supporter and cOadju-
tor than Mr.. Noyes. The latter recog
nzed in Shepherd the man of broad Ideas
and high ideals which posterity has vim
dcated. and through all the difficulties of
| his actual work and all the sutferings of
his fight against criticism and slander
| there was no truer or more devoted friend
than Crosby S. NoyeS. The friendship be
! tween these men was never broken. 1T
| la asted TO the end of Gov. Shepherds life,
F.! and il was one of the keenest gratifca-
| tions Mr. NOyes ever experienced when.
short time after his friends death he
was asked by the citizens of the District
| to become chairman OF a committee in
trusted with the duty of erecting fitting
monument to the man who made the new
| Washington Alexander r. Shepherd.
| Much of the work that these two men
| planned together and dreamed over has
! been done and in the forwarding of that
! work The Star has been always at the
front. Mr. Noyes became convinced. es-
pecially during the period of his service
as municipal legislator, that an entirely
new plan of local administration was
| necessary 10 bring the capital out of the
slough and develop it to its fun extent.
| He advocated and worked necessarily for
the adoption of the organic act of 1873.
which for the first time in the history
! of the COVE rnment placed the District
| upor It's proper footing as the ward of
! the nation. He was a member OF the
F.! first committee of citizens organized to
| lay this matter before Congress and urge
| the adtustme mt of the municipal finances
upon an equitable basis. In the years
| which have passed since that act was
adopted Mr. Noyes. through The Star.
| unwaveringly urged its maintenance and
| fought every attempt to trespass upon
| the principle which was then established.
He never compromised for the sake of
| imme ediate advantage, hut always preached
| the doctrine OF steadfaSt adherence to
| the basic law of an equal division of all
expenses between the District and the
! general governments
Public Improvements.
| In matters of material improvement Mr..
! Noyes was the jealous advocate OF only
the best for the District. He always
! stood for the enlargement of the park
. area and against its diminution for the
SAX of securing inc Xpensive sites for pub
/ lie buildings. however much needed One
| of the most interesting OF his labors was
tin. work he did in advocacy of the es-
! Itablishment of Rock Creek Park. He
served as chairman of tho executive com.