The Washington herald., 1909-05-04
GOV. SHEPHERDS CAREER
DESCRIBED IN ADDRESS
William F. MattngEy Gives Graphic account of
Strenuous Administration OF Man Whom
the City Has HOnored

In the course Of the address Of William
2. Mattingly at the dedication Of the
Shepherd statue yesterday an extended
and comprehensive sketch OF the first
governor was given
Il is authoritative as coming from q
man who knows all the achievements Of
Mr.. Shepherd. Il follows, in part:
Alexander Robey Shepherd. IN ISL. a.
the outbreak Of the war. with the Ma
tionaI Rifles Of this city. volunteered his
services. under the call OF the President
for three months service
He was elected a member Of the CON-
mon council and was chosen president
Of that body. n 1857 he became men,
Der Of the Levy Court
Advocated a Change
He concluded that a change IN the
form Of municipal government was neces-
sary. The basic idea OF his thought was
that the administration Of municipal af-
fairs ought TO be tied more closely 20
the national government
IN $50 he became president Of the
Citizens Reform Association. and was
elected TO the board OF aldermen. At
this time the population Of the city was
a little less than 1l0.o0a. and OF the entire
District about I51,e0e.
The agitation for a change Of the
municipal government OF the District
resulted in the act Of Congress OF Feb
ruary q, ISL. whereby the District Of
Columbia was created body corporate
for municipal purposes The act pro-
yIded for a governor, a secretary, a legis-
lative assembly. consisting Of a council
OF eleven members, a house OF delegates
OF twenty-five members. g Delagate 10 the
House Of Representatives. and a board Of
public works.
To preserve the elective franchise, the
members Of the house Of delegates and
the Delegate 10 the House Of Representa-
tives were TO be elected by the qualified
voters, the governor was ex-oficiO pres
ident Of the board Of public works. The
eleven members Of the council and all the
other officials were TO be appointed by the
President and confirmed BY the Senate Of
the United States.
The new government being fully organ
lied, the citizens watched. some with
hope and confidence, others with appre-
tensions and fear. TO see how the ex-
pertinent would turn out
The Vast improvements.
Shepherd regarded this new municipal
machinery as an instrument by means OF
which he could accomplish vast improve
ments IN the physical besterment Of the
city, which he had long thought out and
determined upon BY his strong person
ality he impressed his associates and
with the correctness Of his views and
their feasibility.
a bill was introduced IN the legislative
assembly providing for a loan OF s4.008o00.
evidenced by bonds Of that amount. to
be used for public improvements Now
began Shepherds hercUlean task. the
doing Of which IS the cause Of your
being here to-day 20 honor the memory
OF the man who did IL In the short space
OF three years a vast work was done
Sewers were laid. miles Of avenues and
streets were graded and paved. the trees.
which we now take SO much pride in,
were planted, and the public school sys-
TEN was improved.
The entire city was IN a state Of up-
heaval. He tore Up the track Of the rail
road from the south extended across
Pennsylvania avenue ar the foot Of Cap
itol Hill, and running into the old sta
ticn OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
on the north side Of Pennsylvania avenue.
The vast improvements OF which he
was the dominating cause were done at a
cost OF about S29,000,090- Such enormous
and rapid work at such heavy cost. in I
volving the inCurring Of a huge debt and
large assessments on real estate for spe-
ciaI benefits. struck many good citizens
with absolute horror and apprehension. (
Complaints were many and loud Crfti- |
cism was severe and bitter This led to
an investigation by Congress IN IS74 !
which resulted In acQui;ting Shepherd /
Of ali charges involving his personal hon. (
esty and integrity. but practically convict !
ing him Of being too energetic, too far
sighted. and Of being at least half a
century ahead OF his tine.
Realizing all these things. the citizens !
generally al last recognized the fact that /
was the one man among them 4
to whom the principal credit for the /
vas due
This kindly feeling resulted in the
that on his return 10 the 1
city after seven years absence in Mexico I
some public recognition should be made 4
Of the appreciation OF the citizens OF the /
District Of him and bis achievements. I
At the expressed request OF the citizens /
generally, the Commissioners extended /
TO him the freedom Of the city
'On the evening OF October s. 1857. a /
great demonstration IN his honor was
given From a stand erected south OF 4
he Treasury Department, fronting the I
Avenue. Shepherd reviewed this parade.
and n response tc loud and repeated
,alis for a speech said. IN part:
Ny feilow-eiti1ens. you see before
Tcl tonight proud and grateful man