With the return of peace the habitual slothfulness returned, and the old do-nothing policy seemed about to be resumed. But there were a few energetic citizens in whom the short period of progressiveness had instilled an unquenchable desire for a better order of things, and by their untiring energy they prevented a recurrence of the former stagnation. [Illustration: THE UNITED STATES TREASURY. FROM THE SOUTHWEST.] 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 1871 was but three millions, had risen in 1875 to twenty millions, and of this “astounding increase only the original loan of four millions was submitted to the vote of the people, and this, at the time it was voted on, was understood to include all the main improvements necessary for remodelling the city.” [Illustration: ROTUNDA OF THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY, WASHINGTON.] Shepherd, whose master mind had directed the whole undertaking, finally left the city. When, a few years later, he returned on a visit from Mexico, his advent was celebrated by the citizens of the new and beautified capital by demonstrations of welcome so sincere and genuine as to atone for the former lack of appreciation.