Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-03
FIFTY YEARS ago
In THE. STAR

AN 1 4kA- ~ XxXX
The file of The Star of fifty years ago
shows that Washington was talking and
thinking of the approach
Inauguration ing Inauguration of Presi-
Throng. dent Buchanan. The Star
of February "a, 1857, con-
tains this news article:
1.-The pressure Of strangers here is al
ready immense-much larger than ever be-
fore so long previous to the advent of an
Inauguration day. even when the induce
ments to Office seekers to flock to Washing
ton were much greater than at present. If
they continue to come upon US till the
fourth after this fashion there will be per-
haps a hundred thousand strangers here by
that time. The hotels fashionable ones)
are all full to overfiowing after double-bed-
ding their, rooms and each billeting out
large number of guests. Nevertheless, the
L,llettng process continues. Indeed, as full
as the hotels are, 1t Is much more pleasant
to be Quartered in private rooms without
their portals. The scene In the parl0rs at
Wizards yesterday afternoon was as bril-
throng Of stranger ladies In brilliant array.
So also was the scene at Kirkwood's, IN
both of which we had occasion to enter
The steamer George Washington, by the
way, udS again Uceu pidCcU Ou tn0 fUaSS
between alexandria and Washington,
which affords communication by steamboat
between the two cities at least every hour
throughout the day. On the occasion of
the Inauguration 1t will. of course be open
hourly throughout the night also. This will
afford thousands to obtain accommodations
in Alexandra and yet enjoy all the facii-
ties Of being here throughout the eventful
time. The Mansion House In that town Is
one Of the best-kept hotels In the Union.
and. on pinch. can probably take care OF
400 guests without Inconvenience. Those
who desire private rooms or rooms IN
boarding houses during inauguration times
will find them advertised in The Star.
News writer's were extravagantly gallant
fifty years ago, as shown by this paragraph
from The Star Of February
Crowds in Is. 1851:
Galleries. 1.-The attendance Of strang-
ers and citizens in the gal
leries and around the House hall was Inn
mense this morning. The ladies' galleries
teemed past their capacity with fashion
able fair ones, glittering in all the colors OF
the rainbow, and sparkling with bright
jewels and brighter eyes,
-
Efforts toward civic betterment were
making, and The Star of February %, 1857.
gives more than a column
Important to a new bill increasing
to Citizens, the powers of the city gov
eminent. The notice, in
part, follows:
THE following is bill Of much impor-
lance to the citizens of this city, reported
by the chairman of the Senates District
committee, which will probably become a
law ere the termination Of the session:
ga bill granting certain additional pow
ers to the corporation of Washington:
"'Be 1t enacted. ETC., That 1t shall be
lawful for the mayor, board Of aldermen
and board Of common council of the city
of Washington, and the said corporation Is
hereby authorized and empowered to cause
any streets. or the carriageways or foot
ways thereof, or any portions Of the same,
to be paved, graded or otherwise improved,
whatsoever in it's discretion the same may
be deemed proper and necessary, any re-
strictions or conditions heretofore existing
in the premises to the contrary notwith-
standing; and in like manner, in its dis
erection, to cause to be constructed any
drains and sewers which 1t may consider
or convenience of the city, and upon yuch
plan of surface or underground drainage,
or by taking advantage Of the natural
| drainage. or changing the course thereof.
as may be deemed most eligible; and In
| like manner in it's discretion to cause the
streets, any of them or any portion of
any of them, to be lighted by gas or other
wise, and to provide for the expense of any
such works or improvements as aforesaid
either by a special tax or out. of its cor
porate funds generally, or both, at its dis
| erection, and the jurisdiction of said corpo-
ration is hereby extended over the whole
extent of the bridges and abutments across
the Eastern branch, or the Potomac river,
with full power to adopt and enforce such
| rules and regulations as it may deem nee
essary for the safety and security of prop
ertv and OF persons passing over SAID
bridges"
| This bill also conferred on the city IA
| theirs the right to open new alleys. alter the
course of others; to create police and mu-
nicipal court: to establish house of ref
uge or correction for juvenile offenders; to
pass any laws not inconsistent with the
Constitution Of the United States for the
establishment of an efficient police, and to
organize fire department.
-.
This item, referring to the fire engine
house in D street between 18th and 18th, Is
copied from The Star of
Franklin's February 25, 1857:
New House. Workmen were employ
ed yesterday in removing
| the buildings from the lot on D street near
18th, where the new building for the
Franklin fire company is to be erected.
This company has long been considered
one of the most efficient companies of the
fire department, and when they take pos
session of their new building they will en-
deavor to prevent its becoming obnoxious
| to property owners in the neighborhood."
Perhaps there are persons living who
danced at the ball described in this para
graph taken from The Star
Militia of February "a, 1851:
Dance, I'VE expected to find
| handsome attendance at Ca
rusi's Saloon last night, but certainly had
no expectation Of seeing such a gathering
as was presented to the eye on entering
about o'clock. Six or seven hundred per-
sons at least were present, a deserved COM
pliment to the fine old corps. The full
dress parade Of the company was univer-
sally admitted, we believe. by old stagers
| to have fully equaled. II not surpassed,
anything of the kind ever seen in this city.
Each movement was executed with preci-
sion, which called forth the heartiest ap-
plause. Upon the conclusion Of the parade
w n por