and by their untiring energy they prevented a recurrence of the former stagnation.
One man in particular seems to have been inspired with a resistless ambition for the city's salvation. Around this person—Alexander R. Shepherd—the little body of reformers rallied their forces.
A territorial form, with a governor, legislature and delegate to Congress, was created for the District. A Board of Public Works, appointed by the President with the approval of the Senate, was created to undertake the remodelling of the city. Subsequently this Board became the pivot around which the rest of the municipal machinery revolved. Shepherd was appointed Governor, and under his guidance the Board immediately began its difficult and thankless task.
The changes which the Board wrought in the city were stupendous. The result is Washington as it is known to-day. The enormous expense entailed by the great reconstruction created an opposition which forced Congress to appoint committees of investigation. The extent of the Board's operations are best illustrated by the enlargement of the District's debt. The debt of the territory, which in
