Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-04
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

AXv 4 "a - ~A4AAS
The teachers OF Washington were not as
seriously agitated over questions of school
administration half century
framing ago as they are today.
Youth. When they assembled they dis
cussed pedagogics and the
meralities rather than promotions and dis
mssals. In The Star Of October u. isoo'
Is a news account Of the monthly meeting
of the Teachers Association. which was
addressed on the subject Of introducing the
study of the Constitution and the laws INTO
the schools by Mr.. S. Y. At Lee. then
prominent in public school affairs. The
Star says:
1T gave rise to several highly interesting
speeches from different members. 1t seemed
to be the prevailing Idea that the mere
learning Of the provisions of the Constitu-
ton by youth is insufficient to remedy
their fast-lncreasing disorder!iness and In
subordination, especially in the larger
towns and cities But one method that
could be depended for insuring a SEN
sibly general compliance with the require
ments Of positive law and duty to country
appeared to be left: that Is to say, the cui-
tivaton of the moral sense, the allegiance
to God and to country and law through
Him. Lack of reverence Is the glaring evil
with our youth: they practically act as II
nothing Is greater. wiser or better than
themselves. They show little or no sense OF
responsibility and rush at an immature age
into all the indulgences granted In other
towns and countries only to mature years.
BY some of the speakers it seemed to be
thought that the boys were 60 bad because
they had bad examples in the men-not
only the men In ordinary walks of life, but
legisla tors, councillors and statesmen.
In those days swindlers, tricksters and
pickpockets were apt to be distinguished by
their fashy attire, after the
Swell fashion of the swell mob OF
Mob. London of which Charles Dick
ems has SO entertainingly writ
ten In The Star of October q. 1855, IS
brief paragraph indicating that Washington
was occasionally invaded by craftsmen Of
this ilk from other cities:
Saturday morning number of very
fashionably dressed young men were noticed
walking through the Center Market, dis
playing their gold chains. pins and rings IN
a manner that attracted universal atten-
ton Frequent inquiries were made as to
their names and residences, but no salts
factory answer could be given until dele
cation of the city police was observed fot-
lowing close on their heels. 1t was then
Philadelphia. on the lookout for green
uns.' They have not been heard OF since
Saturday afternoon, when, 1t Is supposed,
they left the city to keep out Of the reach OF
our police"
y
1t has been some years since George
town University was merely Georgetown
College and much longer
Georgetown since its students were en-
College. rolled in a military organi-
cation. In The Star of Oc-
tober 90, 1885, is the following paragraph
THE military company. composed of stu
dents of Georgetown College, was out in
full force Yesterday under their accomplish
ed officers and preceded by a fine brass
band They marched around the helghts
and took occasion to pay military honors
to the venerable Major Nourse, by whom
and his estimable family they We're gracl-
ously received, indeed. at his residence
They were accompanied by dashing dozen
Of their fellow colegians en- cheval. me
afternoon was beautiful and the gallant
young fellows appeared to enjoy their
parade amazingly. They made as fine
military show can be presented Dy any
volunteer company in the District OF Co
lumbia. We would suggest to them the
propriety of parading at least once during
the present delightful season through the
principal thoroughfares Of Washington.
y ~. 81
The collection and distribution of election
returns is today matter of business and
x has been brought to high
Election state OF organization so that
Returns. results are known in all
parts of the United States
within a few hours of the voting. In
1856 however, there was no such system
and reliance had necessarily to be placed
in volunteers In The Star of October 80.
1856. appears the following raph
headed Important to Those Who SEND
Election Returns
1.-THE agents of the Associated Press
have issued the following instructions to
persons who design to send election re-
turns by telegraph. First, SEND the whole
number of votes cast for the electors OF
each presidential candidate; maJoritieS are
not sufficient. Second, send the maJorit1es
only for state officers. Third. send the
names and politics of the members or Con-
gress, but give no figures. Fourth. send
the names and politics of the state sena-
tors and assemblymen elected. but give no
figures. In cases where it is imposs-b bic to
send promptly complete returns by states,
counties CT congressional election districts.
send as nearly full returns as possible and
a careful estimate of the balance"
*Y*
People connected with the stage were
quite as interesting to the hum-drum world
n1ll d Century d5O tucS
Stage appear to be today. and news
Gossip. or gossip about them was al
ways certain of a hearing.
In The Stars quarter column of Person
ais in the issue of October 81, 1856, appear
the following bits of information:
Mime Celeste nearly persisted by the ex-
plosion of gas at the Royal Amphitheater
Liverpool on her benefit night. The car
penter had been discharged and in revenge
cut the main pipe. intending to fire the
gas, but was fortunately prevented.
Sheridan Knowles. the dramatic author.
now a Baptist clergyman, has been criti-
cised for continuing to receive pension
from the government as a dramatic writer.
while he is weekly denouncing play houses
as domi diaboli. A writer in the London
Star defends him on the ground that there
Is a substantial difference between a player
and writer of plays.
Sir William Don, the high-tited actor,
seems doomed to continual Yexation.
While in this country his penchant for ac-
cumuIating debts instead of money annoyed
him at every turn, and 1t seems to be his
great tormentor in his native land where
we notice. he has been driven from every
provincial town by his creditors. and was
arrested for debt on his opening night at