Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-06
An Hour Amongst Old Files.

When the British burned the Capltol ana
public buildings in washington IN 1914 they de-
stroyed the public records Among the debris
a few papers were found and preserved, but in
cord of Congress only goes back to 1915. The
Senate library, however, contains files of news
papers running back to 1s00 and in the absence
Of the official records they become very vau
pecially to citizen Of Washington. The oldest
paper on file is '.Tte National Intelligencer and
Washington Advertiser, printed by Samuel
Harrison Smith. New jersey avenue, near the
Capitol" The first issue was on Friday, Octo-
Der 81, 1900, and 1T contains lengthy apology
for delay in getting the paper out. The mission
loaded safutatory, sis to di1use correct informa-
tion through the whole extent of the Union"
An examination of the files shows that the
sng evemts OF y, nne 1 gTeatn cix IT. war w1fkea
1t then became necessary to utilize every ave-
nue. for the collection OF news, and naturally the
telegraph took the lead Of everything else. The
rivalry between leading New York journals,
prior to the civil war, led to wonderful display
of enterprise and an enormous expenditure Of
money, in gathering news. In those days the
whole country looked to the New York papers
for the news, and any means by which informa-
ton could be obtained, even few hours earlier
than through the regular channels, were
daaopea regard TO cost IN me early
men as Bennett entered the field. 1t was quiet,
easy-gOing sort Of business. Taking the files in
the Senate library from 1900 down for more
than quarter OF century, 1t appears that the
chief duty OF Journalism was to write long edi-
t0rials.
EDITORIAL UTTERANCES.
Great importance was attached then to edito-
rial utterances, as the theory prevailed that the
papers moulded and directed public opinion. A
lication Of lengthy essays on various topics from
stance, ssletter from prominent citizen Of
Virginia to friend In Congress would be given
did it touch upon events of the day. At one
time discussion upon the virtues Of vaccina-
ton ran through columns Of the Iate1ligencer
and drew very long letters from different parts
Of the Union.
INTERVIEWING" FIFTY YEARS AGO.
In those days, instead Of the system Of inter-
viewing now In vogue, the editor would write
to public man asking his views upon certain
subject or an explanation OF some act OF his.
and then the correspondence would be put-
lished. In this way letters from Madison, Henry
Clay and many other leading men Of the early
days Of our country appeared in the news
papers Very little space was devoted to cur
rent and
days were frequently published on the same
day. For instance, Thursdays issue would con-
tain the congressional eg report for Monday, Tues
date. Occasionally as much as half column
would be given to local news but as general
thing the space was consumed In long editor
'als and letters from "noted' citizens.
GEORGE WASHINGTON UPON WASHINGTON HOUSES.
In one Of the Oldest papers is published pro-
clamation from GO: washington, as President
third articles Of the terms and conditions de-
clared by the President Of the United States on
the llth OF october, l191 for regulating the ma
tier a9 and d Building ba
scrtbed that buildings should be constructed
Only OF brick or stone, and that no house should
be higher than forty feet to the root, nor any
nation states that 1t had been "found by ex-
perience that these terms tmpeded the settle
ment OF the city by mechanics and others
houses Of the description authorized" There
fore he suspended the act and permitted the
erection OF frame houses. In 1906 paragraph
ting" and consequently no report was made OF
its proceedings AS far back as 1912 it appears
that Congress was criticised much the same
speaks of the frequency 'fn public prints of ac-
cusations against Congress OF tardiness in their
motions" and then proceeds to defend the law
makers against the accusation.
THE FIRST sECEssIONIsT.
In the year 1912, too, a correspondent of the
Boston Ce,ttisel, who must have been of some
note from the prominence given his letter
boldly advocated secession, saying: 81 have for
many years considered the union OF the south
safety and very much opposed to the interest Of
both sections" 1t was citizen OF Massachu-
setts who was so early in the field as an advo-
The first signs Of marked improvement in
Journalism, as exhibited by the Iatelligefcer
hles, appeared In the year 1928. A better quail
much clearer There was more system, too, In
the arrangement Of the contents OF the
paper and Congressional proceedings were
H@ Tne @STe asy S npSsnt Sa as aebay sasy
In Congress were also given, but the custom of
publishing letters from persons unknown to the
reader was still adhered to, though the appa-
letters indicate that they were written by
somebody of consequence. When the war broke
out, and the fighting began, the demand for the
very latest Intelligence put all the newspapers
everything else as channel for gathering news
The use OF the telegraph was systematized and
has prevailed ever since. Now THE STAR con-
@ me aa M ps @eah sgus IL hs
and promptitude as are shown In the reports Of
congress, and matter that is few, hours old is
comparatively worthless. e!5
CHEF DOUGLASS ESCAPE AND CAPTURE.-A
special to the Chicago Times from Leavenworth,
kan., Gays: "Chief Douglass, one of the Ute
guilty OF the murders at the White River Agency
and the subsequent outrages upon themselves,
lately surrendered by the tribe to Gen. Adams
the guard house at that pest on Thursday after
noon by jumping from second-story window.
He was pursued by the guard and fred at sew
captured by Sergeant Hubbard Of the provost
guard and placed In close confinement. BE was
Overpowered with great difficulty.
Suicide of q Theater Manager.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, March &c g. Cotton
The Wen known theatrical manager, committed
sIde at Aameaa d. Last night N vacant
The body was not discovered until TODAY He