Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-07

o. Robert E. Heaton, Gordon W. Bon
net and Mr.. Holmes of the patent Of
fee.
No man who knows his Washington
can stray into the beautiful grounds
of Bleak House and wander through
the big rooms and halls of the house
and not fall to thinking of Alexander
Shepherd and his times.
In 1870 Mr.. Shepherd was one of the
many men in the District who had
come to the conclusion that single
government for the District of Column
bia would he more effective than two
municipal governments, those of the
cities of Washington and Georgetown
He was an active member of the citi-
zens' committee of one hundred which
formulated the bill passed by CON
gress in February, 1871, giving to the
District of Columbia a territorial form
of government Because Of the prom1-
nent part he had played in the move
ment and in the adoption of the meas
ure resulting from that movement, and
because of his experience in munlclpal
Mr.. Shepherd was Endorsed for the post
of first governor by a large body or
citizens
However, President Grant appointed
Henry D. Cooke governor and Mr. Shep-
herd was made first member of the
board of public works, the other MEM
bers being A. B. Mullett. then super
vising architect of the Treasury; John
A. Magruder, who had been a mayor
of GEORGETOWN, and S. P. Brown.
Maine man, long resident in Washing
ton. and active in all matters tending
to the improvement of the city. Gov
Cooke was by virtue of his office presi-
dent of the board of public works, but
the board at its first meeting elected
Mr. Shepherd vice president and execu-
tive officer DR.. William Tindall, still
an active man among US and who was
private secretary to Gov. Shephero,
writing of the inception of the terri
torial form of government, has SAID:
One night during the winter Of 1870 number
Of citizens. including. among others. Lewis T.:
Clephane ex-Chief OF Police A. c. Richards and
George T. sheriff met at the brownstOne- front
house No. 9O5 the north side OF street De
tween 9th and 10th streets northwest, atter~ala
the residence of DR.. James +. Morgan. ana re-
Gently demolished, for the purpose Of discussing
their troubles and devising a new municipal
status at which the subject OF system o! gov
eminent embracing the entire District was tenta-
lively considered. The prospects OF the new
movement appeared so favorable that other meet
ings held. at which Alexander r. shepherd
was nresent The outcome of these juntas. sup
plemented by a steamboat excursion down the
Potomac, and other functions where the gusta
accompanied by the alluring influence or genial
compa nionshp. the adoption OF plan OF
proceeding which eliminated in the act OF Con
gress, approved February Il. 1871, creating the
territorial form OF government over the entire
District Of Columbia.
One Of the principal objects of this new gov
eminent a plan Of comprehensive public
works which contemplated an expenditure FAR BE-
yond the current resources of the community
The credit OF the District was not up to the
standard which the financial world required as 4
basis for the necessary loans to provide means
for the works. This deficiency met BY the
cooperation OF Henry David Cooke of the hrm
Of Jay Cooke & Co. and at that time president
Of the First National Bank of Washington City.
In him indorser whose credit Was practically
without limit obtained for the District. Mr..
Cooke selected by President Grant February
IS 1871, as the first governor Of the District Of
Columbia and entered into the spirit Of the
project with enthusiasm. energy and breadth
OF view not surpassed even by Mr.. Shepherd. and
through his big financial standing and business
connections readily negotiated the sale Of the
bonds and other securities which gave the board
of public works the principal and essential
means to commence its task.
The board took up and formulated a
comprehensive plan for the betterment
of the District, and it was said that this
plan contemplated improvements in
bia, and comprised almost every street
and avenue in the cities of Washington
and Georgetown, as well as all the
roads in the county 1t was said that
the plan of sewerage was also en-
larged SO as to cover the entire Dis
trict. and this was done under the es-
Inmates Of Gen. G. S. Greene" Gen. G.
$. Greene was a distinguished engineer
officer and was the father of Gen. F.. V.