Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-16
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

In THE STAk
Half a century ago the country was
rejoicing over the fact that the Atlantic
cable had at last been sue
Atlantic cessfully laid by the war
ships Niagara and Agemem-
S" non, working from mid
ocean point respectively west and east
Cyrus w. Field was at Halifax arranging
the details of the land connection, prob
ably at that time the busiest and most
important citizen Of the United states.
Preparations were making for the iliumi-
nation and decoration of cities In honor
Of the first exchange of cablegrams be
tween Queen Victoria and President Buoh-
anan. The commercial world was eagerly
awaiting an opportunity to use the cable.
but was being held off by those in charge
until the connections were perfected and
the formal exchange of felicltations pc
tween the two rulers was effected. In The
Star Of August g. 1858. Is printed column
Of Mr. Fields log of the expedition. which
was furnished to the Associated FreSS IN
lieu of an interview or EXTENDED statement
regarding the enterprise. the high hopes
Of the two countries aroused by the sue
cessful landing of the cable were destined
to be soon dispelled. The official exchange
Of congratuIatOry messages took place.
but after few dispatches had been sent
under the bed of the ocean the cable
there was no electrical communication
between the two continents. all cable lay
ing enterprises being checked by the ris-
ing tide of sectionalism in this country
and the ultimate outbreak of the civil
war. 49,.
The week beginning August 9, 1858, was a
notable one in the. history of Washing
toms Volunteer Fire Asso-
Visiting citation. A delegation Of the
E,..,,.r Northern Liberty Hose
Company of Philadelphia
visited this city for the purpose of present
ing to the Northern Liberties Fire Com
pany of the capital certain expensive and
appropriate gifts as token Of good
fellowship and esteem, There was. no
end of merrymaking and the local friends
of the Northern Liberties were kept busy
during the week showing courtesies to
the Philadephians. One of the gifts was
a large oval painting representing the
reaceful and friendly relations between
respective heads dressed in the uniforms
of their companies standing by the al
tar Of friendship with its sacred fires
burning between them, guarded by a
faithful dog with the significant word
Snap engraved upon his collar" The
Stars description Of this work of art pro-
ceeds:
1.-The frame is by all means the most
beautiful and elaborate that we have ever
seen. containing innumerable devices ex-
quisitely wrought, emblematic of the life
and career of the fireman-anong them
the fire plug with hose attached, hremen
ascending ladders. torches; fire hooks. en-
gines, etc: among these are entW1ned
wines and flowers exhibiting most delicate
workmanship on the part of the designer.
The whole is surmounted by galaxy Of
stars and the American eagle, standing
upon a shield and holding in her beak
scroll bearing the words, When duty
calls It's ours to obey
+
Notwithstanding the feiicitous nature of
the occasion, 1t was not, without its
rancors and even Its close
Murderous approach to tragedy. The
A...,- Washington volunteer fire.
men managed to give the
Philadelphia visitors vivid impression
of. the partisan spirit rife at the capital.
In The Star of August II. 1868. is an item
which tells Of an Outrageous and dis
graceful assault" committed upon dele
cation of the Washington Northern Lber-
ties and reporters who went in an omnibus
and carriages to the railroad stationS to
receive the president OF the philadelphia
organization. The. Star said:
Upon their return a fellow was seen
running after the coach; he was armed
with a pistol and his motions indicated
The Northern Liberties members. fearing
for the safety of their guests, got out to
prevent any trouble. The number Of
pursuers had increased in the meantime
coach a pistol was fired at Mr. Curtis
vice president of the Northern Liberties
who jumped behind tree box into which
the ball entered. A general fight ensued
and several persons were severely cut
though none was dangerously wounded
A number of youths went to the Northern
Liberties engine house and got a swivel
which had been used in firing salutes and
dragged it to the scene Of the riot. but
Mr.. Curtis anxious to prevent bloodshed,
upset the swivel and turned it over to the
police. The row was not of lengthy dura-
ton, but sufficiently SO to add another
blotch to the reputation Of the persons
mot our fellow-citizens) who have always
lice have ascertained the names of sew
eral Of the rowdies. who ere this are
probably arrested
=
AS the result Of this affair there was a
sharp revival OF interest in the character
Of the local police organiza-
Police ton, and the CHARGE was
For.. advanced that It was being
employed for partisan adj
vantage The Star of August IA. 1858. dis
cussing this question, said:
What is most needed in every Ameri
can city is the adoption of the. London
custom of appointing policemen for good
behavior, wholly without reference to their
politics. and to compel them to live up to
the rigid observance of strict rules for the
government Of their own conduct. Were
that system in vogue in this country there
would he no more police appointments Of
refugee rowdies from elsewhere, who have
themselves time and again been indicted
for crimes and misdemeanOrs; none whose
claims to office are based on their strength
and brutality as displayed in preventing
at the polls respectable citizens from ex-
ercising the right of suffrage; none seen
loaf1ng around drinking places daily in
company with notorious bruisers who
have no visible means of earning an hon
est livelihood: none habitual swearing to
any and everything likely to aid in screen
ing from the knowledge of the public the
fact that they not unfrequently use the
privileges Of their office to hide their own
usurpation of authority and shortcoming s
and the delinquencfes of their cronies
rather than. subserve the ends of public
justice: none seen drunk around our cities,
and none let off by their superiors in of