Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-21
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

!
Oregon was admitted into the Union
| fifty years ago, the elimination Of long
campaign. There was
| Oregon great rejoicing in Wash
Admitted nSton when the bill for
the admission of the new
state. already passed by the Senate.
passed the House on February Il. 1889.
The Star. commenting editorially on the
passage Of the admission bill, said:
I'VE rejoice at the result of the days
work In the House because we recognize
in the future of the Pacific side of the
United States the groundwork of an
American nationality that shall by far
overshadow the history, of the greatness
of any other nation that has ever existed.
California has laid the foundation for an
eastern American commerce. out OF
which. in quarter of a century, the
profits of the commercial interests on the
Atlantic side will be many millions an
| nually. The northern Pacific remains
still closed sea- as 1t were. to Ameri-
| can enterprise. yet we know enough OF 1t
to be well aware that 1t bids fair in the
future to be equal to the South Pacific
and Indian ocean IN it's sources of profit
to our countrymen. In proportion to the
American capital invested in its trade 1t
Is perhaps dITeduN Iioit " lIie
Atlantic section OF the confederacy. and
we cannot doubt that any such event as
the admission of Oregon as a state, which
must tend greatly to soltdify the interests
and associations of the Pacific side with
those OF the Atlantic side. will tend
greatly to the advancement of the North
Pacific's American commerce"
In it's issue of February II. 1859. The
Star took occasion to protest against a
criticism directed al the
Public policy of the government
Il p,,;1a;x- in the erection of artistic
public buildings. The
Union, a local paper, had taken excep-
ton to the new Capitol in these terms:
"A huge dome is going up at a cost
sufficient TO build fleet of naval steam
ers as formidable as rides the sea. to
support four or five regiments of troops
in The Indian country from now until it
shall be entirely settled by the whites
The Star pointed out that the cost of
the dome would suffice to build just one
| naval steamer or maintain one regiment
one year. the amount in either case being
S1,Ooo,cOo. 1t went on to say:
we regret that the Union has thus
exaggerated and misapprehended the ex-
pendtureS upon public buildings, which
are the pride of the countrys art. and
which. by their facilities for intelligent
legislation, bid fair in very few years
to save to the country more than their
cost.
1T should be remembered that this ex-
penditure is not expenditure that
goes out of the country, but that the
ores, clays and marbles of our own
soil. used by the labor of our own
to this country by their wishes. are
| wrought into these public buildings.
These workmen, if born here. are taught
the arts: If born abroad, they bring to us
the arts and skill of other lands, and this
skill and those arts make up no small
part of nations wealth."
The subscription ball given in honor of
Lord Napier. the British minister at this
capital, and Lady Napier.
Napier February II, 1859, was long
Roll remembered as one of the
most elaborate entertain
ments ever known in Washington. The
Star in its issue the next day devoted
nearly a column of space to de-
scrption of the ball with reproduc-
ton of the menu in full i'm another
rage The ball was held in the Willard
Hotel. several suites of rooms being
|. thrown together for the occasion. in con-
junction with the great new dining hall
The Star said:
AT the head of the room upon a
raised platform, were full-length portraits
of George Washington and Victoria.
thanking a very grand mirror. The walls
were gracefully draped with national
flags and the floor was richly ornamented
(painted) with beautiful devices. among
which were the English and American
coats of arms that of the family of
Lord Napier. etc, etc.
AT ten o'clock. as the distinguished
gentleman and lady in compliment to
whom the ball was given were seen
descending the staircase. the band struck
up d strain of delicious music, by which
some five or six hundred ladies and gentle
men entered the ballroom in a few min
utes. First Of this large train came
Lady Napier. escorted by Secretary CaSs:
next Mrs. Judge Wayne, escorted by Lord
Napier: next again, Senator Seward, with
a beautiful lady. unknown to us, upon
his arm: next Senator Mallory. escorting
Mrs. Bishop: senator's, judges of the
Supreme Court, foreign ministers and
members of their respective legations,
representatives, distinguished sCjourners,
visitors to Washington to participate in
the ball and ctizens-nearly all of them
accompanied by ladies. In a few minutes
the floor became SO denSely crowded that
it required great exertions on the part
OF the floor committee to arrange for
the dancing to commence When that
was accomplished. however, nearly all
seemed ANXIOUS 10 JOIN III the dance,
which was kept up with a very short
intermission until a few minutes past
4 am
A review of the current Naval Register,
just then published in The Star of Feb
ruary 10. 1859. affords all
Naval idea of the strength of
Strength. .n, oil'eu states a' sea
half century ago. The
clerical force in the entire Navy Depart
ment was tifty-seven people. There were
1,299 officers of the navy proper and
siXty-three officers of the Marine Corps
the former including pursers. chaplains,
masters, midshipmen. passed midshipmen,
second masters hoatswains. eunners
carpenters and saimakers. The ship list
reads strangely now, the eighty-six yes
sells being thus classified: Ships of the
line, 10; frigates. 10; sloops of war. 81:
brigs, 3; schooner !; propeller steam
ers. first class. S: second class. 6; third
class. o: propeller tenders, >: side-w wheel
steamers. first class, .; second class !:
third class, 3; store vessels, ); receiving
ships. >.
The navy now consists of 22 firSt-class
battleships, s armored cruisers. ) first
class cruisers, second-class cruisers, 16