Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

In the following extract from The Star
of October I. 1856. reference is made to an
incident in the naval history
Vandal1as of the United States which
EXPLOIT. has been practically forgot
ten by the American people.
Tue U. s. s. vandalia had shortly before re-
turned to the United States after an alb
sence OF four years. having remained
nine months Of that time at Shanghai. as
sisting in protecting foreign residents dur
Ing the war between the Chinese imperial
lists and the insurgents. The Star says:
This ship also assisted to exterminate
the hordes of pirates that infest the Chinese
waters. Upon one occasion, while lying at
anchor, becalmed. in the delta Of the Pearl
river. near HNngkong. some of these mis-
creants were seen boarding and plunderfng
trading junks, almost within range of her
broadside. The boats were instantly lowered
and manned by a party of seamen and
marines. under command of Lieut.. John
Walcutt. who went in pursuit. The pirates,
laden with booty, took to an island about
two miles distant, where they ensconsed
themselves behind some precipitous rocks
and kept up continuous fire upon the adj
vancing boats. The Vandalia's boats dashed
on through a shower of grape and musket
balls landed, scaled the rocks, routed out
the nest of rascals and killed and wounded
an unknown number. The work of destruc-
ton was then completed by burning their
Junks and houses in the vicinity. Two pris-
oners were taken. who were afterward de-
lvered to the Chinese authorities In this
affair gallant Lieut.. Walcutt had only one
man killed and one wounded"
With a revolution in Cuba just succumb-
ing to the influence Of the United States,
the following extract from
Cuban Revolt The Star Of October 8. 1885,
hos ~,
reading at this time: 1.-THE
New York Sun announces the disbandfng Of
the Cuban junta, originally formed In that
city for the purpose of redeeming Cuba
from Spanish rule. At one time the junta
had prepared powerful expedition for that
island, but their hopes were blasted by the
premature Invasion Of Lopez, together with
the Intervention Of the United States au-
thorities." The Sun says:
1T is true that the Cuban junta Is ex-
tinct. Spanish grace has blotted out this
revolutionary institution. Gaspar de Betan-
court, its president, has received and ac-
cepted pardon for his rank and thrice ag-
gravated rebellion. His confiscated estates,
amounting In value to hundreds of thou
sands of dollars, have been restored to him
and he has taken passports for Paris, there
to enjoy life of aristocratic ease. The old
revolut1onist has succumbed, and for the re-
mainder of his days he Will take his walks
and smoke his cigarettes on the bouleyarQS
of Paris, attend the opera, mingle with the
elite of French society and abjure all demo-
cratic associations. Farewell, friend Betan-
court to us and to Cuba forever lost! Kind
hearted and suave In manner thou vert but
not the stuff Of which daring and stern rev.
olutionists are made"
The work Of rescuing Washington from
the mire of congressional indifference had
not been accomplished half
O1sgraceIul century ago. and the city
Conditions was, in consequence. strug-
Cling with its own prob
lens without the means to solve them
The Star was constantly reminding the citi-
zens and the higher powers of government
Of their duty in the premises. In the issue
of October II, 1885, san example:
we have frequently recorded from time
to time the additions made to the metropo-
Is-the stately mansion, the commodious
and extensive places of business, the pub
lie buildings and the numerous tenements
erected for the accommodation of persons
of small pecuniary means or limited in
comes. This is no longer city Of mag
nificent distances but one, the 'chinks' OF
which are fast filling up with substantial
piles of brick and mortar All this is graft
handsomely fnclosed. The city is very far,
however, from being finished. fenced in,
and the palings painted. -
1--WE have never known public square to
be so extensively improved as that which
is occupied In part by the Center market
The old building was erected more than
fifty years ago, and hence we marvel not
that the city fathers should be so inter-
ested in preserving it in it's present beauti-
full proportions! But as If to relieve the
aforesaid Center market from it's white
washed sides and moss-covered roof promi-
nence, number of enterprising men have
been at work dotting the square with little
shanties, some Of them Wheeis-to be
removed from place to place when neces-
sary to avoid damage by the continual
alterations of the grades. This is a good
idea and worthy Of a patent. Thus New
town has risen with the demands of the
times. and as suddenly as many a western
village. The councils should. however. re-
quire the owners of those classicaAy FASH
Toned bazaars and tenements to whitewash
or stain them with ochre; for without such
appliances the modern settlement is incom-
plete."
Evidences Of the growth of this country
and its governmental machinery are SO
numerous and so striking that
Printing 1t Is futile to adduce statistics
PAPER. to show the differences be-
tween conditions today and
those of half century back. Nevertheless
an eloquent commentary on the comparative
insignificance of one of the branches of the
public service Is afforded by an advertise
ment running In the columns of The Star
at this time fifty years ago, calling for
bids for paper for the government printing
office for the ensuing year. The call was
for both printing and writing papers. OF
the first class, of various qualities. the pub
lie printer expected to have need during
the twelve months of some 20.5O0 reams.
which, according to. the specifications,
would weigh about 975. 600 pounds.
During the fiscal year just passed the
public printer used, In all the branches Of
his work, paper aggregating the weight Of
Is. 500 900 pounds.