Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-06

Half century ago the work OF decorat-
ing the Capitol was under way and keen
public interest was displayed
Senate in it's progress. In The Star
Frescoes. of January 5, 1857, occurs the
following paragraph descrip-
tive of one Of these works:
In the Senate naval committee room OF
the extension will be found series of six
pictures illustrative of our naval history,
painted by George r. West of this place, viz:
Battle of the Constitution and Guerrero:
Perry's Victory on Lake Erie; Cutting Out
the Philadelphia in the Port Of Tripoli by
Decatur; Violation of the Neutrality Laws
by Great Britain in the destruction of the
privateer General Armstrong in the port of
Fayal; Engagement Of the Bon Homme
Richard and the launch Of the Minnesota at
the navy yard.
1.-The space allowed the artist for the rex
ecution of these pictures Is too small to
do the subjects justice, considering the ma
ture of the paintings and the point from
which they are to be viewed, and the style
of the decoration (Pompeiian) is entirely too
gaudy in color to allow the fine points of
the pictures to be fully appreciated. But
in point Of historical correctness, nautical
accuracy, position of the vessels, details of
the rigging. color and effect, both naval
men and artists criticse them with unstint-
ed praise indeed.
we understand tndt MT. west mas pre-
sented designs for another room. and we
hope he will be allowed more space and the
liberty to regulate the ornamental designs
to suit his pictures"
X
Men often wore shawls in those days, and
indeed occasionally now one of the elder
citizens may here and there be
Rude seen with this old fashioned COW
Boys. ering over his shoulders. In The
Star of January 5, 1857, is the
following account of the unpleasant expe-
rience of two followers Of this style:
Two young gentlemen came down from
Montgomery county on Saturday with q
load Of hay, which they disposed of at
good price and invested portion OF the
proceeds In two shawls at dry goods store
near the market. They then sauntered
forth upon the avenue, wearing their
shaw1s and presenting an exceedingly gen
teel appearance. Some of the bad boys OF
the neighborhood affected to see something
aboriginal in the style in which these gen.
tlemen were dressed and followed, shouting
Indians They also executed the Co
manche war dance with whooping accom-
paniments until the young gentlemen,
naturally disguised with such treatment,
sought refuge in hotel. Really, such rude
ness of city boys to country gentlemen Is
intoerable and demands the sternest re-
buke.'
The recent accident on the B. & o. near
this city directs public attention to the
matter Of railroad speed and
Railroad lends especial interest to the
Speed. following extract from The
Star CT January Z, 1857. In
which this subject is discussed:
I'VE perceive that the managers Of va
rious northern railroads, as the result OF
,t1,,n tyr, MI toto thn
ton of the revenue-returning properties OF
their enterprises, have with much unanim-
ity reported as a main cause therefor the
greatly increased rate Of speed at which
their trains have Of late been running. Five
years ago twenty miles per hour was the
maximum everywhere for passengers trains.
Now on many roads, not only in the north
but in all sections Of the Union, forty miles
per hour IS fair average for mall and
passenger trains In the judgment of pro-
fessional men engineers - everywhere, to
double the speed after reaching twenty
miles per hour is to increase the cost of
running the train 80 per centum. Is 1t not
probable that on most Of the roads former
ly profitable which now fail to pay satisfac-
tory dividends to get rid of this extra 80
per centum OF the cost of running their
most important trains would make salts
factory change In the figures OF their an
nual budgets? Fares have decreased, we
know, and the prices of almost every neces-
sary Of running trains have gone up But
on almost every road in the United States
the number of passengers and the amount
OF freight transported have increased so
that with prudent management that in
crease will more than compensate for the
lower fares and higher wages, &c. We trust
that the directors Of the railroads all over
the country will soon come to some COM
mon understanding by means of a conven-
ton, if but for the additional safety for
travellers by rail, to grow out of an aban-
Comment of the present breakneck speed at
which iH-regulated competition has caused
so many roads to hurry their trains
+
Preparations for the Inauguration of
President Buchanan were proceeding apace.
lie fractional differences
Inaugural among the local democrats
Ball Room. having been tolerably COM
promised. In The Star Of
January %, 1857, is the following news item
suggestive that the embarrassments of
inaugural committees Of modern times In
the matter of providing place for the
great quadrennial ball were felt also fifty
years ago:
There was meeting last evening Of the
gentlemen appointed to take the necessary
steps for the Grand Inauguration Ball, and
among other measures the erection of a
large hall in judiciary Square was decided
on. The gentlemen who have entered upon
this affair and who, we hardly need to say,
are not in the habit of doing things by
halves, are determined to make it one Of
the most marked and brilliant events of
the kind in the history of the country. They
ter and no expense will be spared to render
it in every way creditable to the country.
Any surplus arising Will be devoted to
charitable purposes"