Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-28
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR
Washington was treated to an .toid-fash- |
toned" winter at this time half century |

Washington was treated to an .told-fash-
toned" winter at this time half a century
ago. one snowstorm following
SHOW ana another In such rapid success
Charity. sion that the owners of horses
and sleighs were given almost
continuous opportunity for enjoyment on the
smooth streets. The Star OF January q.
1856. tells Of fall Of snow the day before
and the stimulation OF the sleighing. which
had been somewhat set back by thaw.
This snow, however, precipitated charity
problem. which demanded solution by indi-
vidual efforts. The Star said:
"A fresh call is now made upon the char
liable. There are probably 5000 people in
this city depending upon their day labor for
| SUPPORT at occupations which are suspended
temporarily by the weather. Do not leave
the needy to be cared for at this time by
the city councils or by charitable associa-
lions. What Is wanted is discriminating in
dividual charity. Give out all your little
jobs, such as washing, sewing, scrubbing,
shoyeling snow and coal. We saw man
shoveling snow in front of his house this
morning who is estimated to be worth some
$50, Zoo. while some poor wretches, who
looked as though they hadn't had warm
corner, shovels in hand, waiting for job
Wasn't this small potatoes?
y
One of the active social organizations of
the capital fifty years ago was styled the
''Merrie Bachelors chief
merT1e ly residents Of the south
Bachelors" eastern section of the city.
In The Star Of January %.
1856, is to be found an advance notice of the
second annual ball of this coterie of young
men, to be held at Odd Fellows Hall, Navy
Yard. The Star said:
Judging from their first brilliant enter
tainment and from the extensive prepara-
lions which have been made for the present
one, we are confident that Of the many gay
parties of the season this will be the gayest
It Is dangerous. no doubt. for bachelors
especially young ones, to expose them
selves so wantonly In open combat with
their enemies; and, arguing from past expe-
rience; the encounter will be fatal to some
of them Yet they hope for countenance,
moral aid and comfort from their fellow
bachelors, asking only fair play and no
favors.
" Thus armed they challenge beauty's glance
And brave the dangers of the dance.
I'm order to vary the evenings entertain
ment the Bachelors propose to distribute, as
prizes to the ladies, three elegant gold rings,
the lucky recipients of which may have the
privilege. If they choose to exercise 1t. of
selecting from among the Bachelors pres
ent. as partners for life, any three who
| may please their fancy?'
~
The theater-going public had been prom
ised treat in the form of a performance,
| rather series of
Ineatr1ca1 performances-for the
Disappointment usual entertainment
consisted then OF
three. and sometimes Of four. plays in
| one evening-in which Mr.. Chanfrau and
Miss Albertine, then great favorltes, were
| to participate One disappointment followed
another. First the stars were unable to
reach the city In time for the announced
engagement, and then, on the substituted
| date, Mr.. Chanfrau was compelled to leave
| town suddenly. as this paragraph in The
| Star Of January "a describes:
THE patrons of the National Theater
| were again doomed to disappointment in
| not seeing Mr.. Chanfrau last night. His
| father having died yesterday morning, Mr..
| last tribute of respect due to deceased
parent. The performance went Off very
| well, with Miss Albertine, and nothing was
| left undone that could promote the kindness
! of an indulgent audience. We say nothing
| but we were greatly mortified to see such
an actor as Mr.. read his part the
| stage. He has an excellent reputation in
| this city but bids fair to lose 1t by repe-
| should not appear again under similar cir
| cumstances. Mr.. Burnett last night sur
| passed any of his former efforts and gave
| evidence of one of the best stock actors in
| the country"
|
President Pierce sent q special message
to Congress January "a, on the condition of
| affairs in Kansas, then in
| turbulent the turmoil OF the aboli-
Legislators. ton and slavery conten-
| ton for supremacy in the
| organization Owing to the unsettled state
of the House of Representatives. which had
not yet succeeded In electing Speaker. the
| message failed to receive the respectful at
| tention usually accorded to presidential de-
| liverances The Star Of January 25 said:
| 1--WE left the hall at 2 pm. yesterday,
| thoroughly Disguised with the melancholy
| display that had been in progress there for
| the previous half hour. The President had
done his duty In essaying. in obedience to
| the Constitution to communicate to Con-
| gress information on public affairs nf which
| he deemed II necessary they should be In
| possession. AS his act In doing tended
to fix more strongly than before the atten-
ton Of the country upon the present repre-
| hensibIe and unjustffiable state Of the
House. 1t was attempted to be repealed as
| an Insult to the dignity of that body which
| has already entirely lost the confidence and
respect of the country. from Maine to
| Louisiana. The scene in the hall, when the
| message was announced, baffied all at
tempts at description. No political meet
ing after nightfall in the sixth ward OF New
| York-and we have witnessed many OF
| them-ever was more disorderly; nine-tenths
of the noise and confusion coming from the
demure side Republican side) of the cham
ber It told palmer than words could ted
their appreciation of the fact that the coun-
try cannot fail to comprehend that the
House Is faithless, utterly faithless, to Its
| trust"
Not all the admonitions of public-spirited
journalists or the threats of prosecution for
| the maintenance OF nuisances
winter awaited to persuade Or force
Poetry. all the residents OF house
| holders of the capital to clean
off their walks In snowtime and some OF
the resultant incidents were amusing, some
painful and some insplrational. this. bit
In The Star of January 20 indicates:
| Sidewalk Notes.-The following rhymes,
| by Our Mary Ann were suggested by a
| recent slip-up:
| f'When sidewalks are but icy slopes
| Hemmed In with snowy drifts,
l I nnfe IN who his door