Existing comment:
Territorial Government: 1871-1874:
Following the Civil War, the city's roads and infrastructure were in deplorable condition. An influx of population had overwhelmed the capital's housing. Civic reformers urgently lobbied for critically needed improvements.
The President and Congress responded by establishing a territorial form of government for the District of Columbia. The local governments of the cities of Washington and Georgetown and Washington County were abolished and jurisdictions combined.
Executive authority in the territory resided in a government appointed by the President. A legislative assembly consisted of a Council and a House of Delegates. A Board of Public Works set about paving streets and modernizing the city.
While members of the Council were appointed, the members of the House of Delegates and the non-voting delegate to the US House of Representatives were elected by the voters.
"It was a question of national pride -- the beautification of the national capital. But there were some old fogies here at the time who couldn't or wouldn't see it. If I had had my own way, if the people of the District had stood by me at that time, the city would have been even better than it is today..."
-- Alexander Robey Shepherd on the achievements of the Territorial Government, 1887
Chronology:
1979:
Mayor Marion S. Barry is administered oath of office in front of District (Wilson) Building by US Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall II (January 2).
The Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (PADC) removes statue of Governor Shepherd from the park in front of the District (Wilson) Building. The Park is incorporated into Western (Freedom) Plaza. PADC officials never carry out a pledge to relocate statue on Pennsylvania Avenue. Shepherd goes into a 25-year exile near Blue Plains Sewerage Treatment Plant.
1993:
The Council of the District of Columbia enacts legislation designating the seat of government the "John A. Wilson Building" (October 6). |