Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17

It'll lEAM AuU
In THE STAR
For many years before the war between
Spain and the United States. which re-
suited from the efforts of the
To Buy Cubans to gain independence
o from Spain, there was strong
sentiment in this country for
the acquisition OF that island by this
country. In The Star of January H.,
1859. occurs the following paragraph:
Yesterday Mr.. Slidell introduced to
the Senate a bill looking to the acquisi-
ton of Cuba by purchase. This bill set
forth that as the situation Of Cuba gives
it commanding influence over the trade
of the Mississippi valley, and as in it's
colonial capacity it's proximity to this
country must continue to be a source of
annoyance. endangering friendly relations
between Spain and the United States.
| through aggressions of its local authority
upon our commerce and citizens, for
which tardy redress can only be had by
circuftous demands On Spain, therefore
something should be done with view to
remove this prolific source of difficulty.
According to the suggestions Of the Presi-
dent and the opinion OF Congress. the bill
declares that the best means of accom-
plishing this is to renew negotiations for
the purchase of the island by this govern
ment. To facilitate these negotiations.
the bill appropriates $40. 100000. and in
case theSe is not that amount in the
treasury it authorizes loan for this
purpose
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank S. Chanfrau we're
half century ago among the most pop
ular of American comedi-
Mr.. and Mrs. ans. They were in WASH
rhe ington during the week be-
ginning January 10. 1859.
performing in the course of their engage
ment in the following pieces: ''The Stage
Struck Barber "A Loan Of a Lover
''Toodles.' The Poor Gentleman" Rob
Roy THE Debutante,' The Model of a
I Wife, THE Forty Thieves Paddy
Miles and The Ocean Child The
Stars report Of the opening performance
was as follows:
notwithstanding the severity of the
weather last night a good-sized audience
greeted Mr.. and Mrs. Chanfrau. and they
We're well paid for their coming too, hay
ing been kept in constant roar from
the beginning to the end of the perform
ance. Everybody ought to attend the thea
ter this week. Next to giving to the poor
they can hardly spend their time and
money to better advantage. The perform
| ance tonight is the glorious comedy of
The Poor Gentleman and the farce of
The stage-struck Barber. in the latter
of which Mr.. Chanfrau will give his I'M
rivaled limitations OF Forrest. Burton.
Booth. etc. better bill could hardly
be offered
Another form Of entertainment then in
vogue was the panorama. Washington
was given an opportunity
Sebastopol at this time in 1859 to wit
ness 'Sanderson's Gigan-
tic Illustration Of the Rus
sian War and the Siege of Sebastopol."
The announcement IN The Star of Jan
uary l.. 1859, describes 1t as the largest
mechanical exhibition in the world. COM
prising magnificent views Of battles.
sieges, bombardments, storms. tornadoes,
CONGREGATIONS, moonlight views etc, etc.
together with immense tableaux of Eng
fish, French. Turkish and Russian gener
ais, the whole accompanied by cele-
brated brass band"
In the days before the war il was not
the custom of papers to announce items
of news always with
Editorial the positiveness of as
surance. especially In
matters relating to the
government. For example, information
as to actions by the President was al
ways given with certain qualification of
indrectness which may have at that time
passed for executive ethics For instance,
the announcement of a reception at the
White House in The Star began as fol-
lows:
We understand that there will be a
morning reception at the Executive Man
sion tomorrow, etc.
However, there may have been more
than motive of Difference to those in
high places for the singular quslifcatio
of the following statement in The Star Of
February II, 1853:
We have every reason to believe that
this morning the Senate's committee on
the District of Columbia voted unani-
mously to adhere to their recommendation
in favor Of the enactment of the bill from
the House for the erection of this really
so necessary work (the proposed Penn
sylvania avenue railroad). OF course,
strenuous efforts to bring them to a diff
ferent conclusion were essayed: for 1t is
we'll known that there is no lack of as
plrantS to achieve pecuntary advantages
out of any possible change In the program
for the construction of the work contem-
plated in the bill
The qualification regarding The Stars
Information was undoubtedly due to the
difficulty with which news was gathered
from congressional committees at that
time. There was such system of
publicity at the Capitol then as at pres
ent. The Stars announcement proved to
be correct, as a paragraph in the paper
the day following discloses.
In the course of the Council Budget" in
The Star of January Is. 1859, is an inter-
estlng reference to condi-
Eloped tons at the workhouse half
a century ago which bears
prisoners. somewhat upon the present
efforts to obtain more satisfactory sys-
tenn of caring for the minor offenders
against the laws OF the District:
THE report of the intendant Of the asy
lum for the month of December was pre-
scented in the lower board on Monday
night and referred to the asylum commit
tee From it we gather the following in
relation to the number of prisoners ad-
mitted and discharged during that month:
Remaining in the workhouse November
80, SO: received during December. 151; to-
tai 100. Discharged in December, 81;