Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-11
FIFTY YEARS AGO
In THE STAR

The subject of school teachers sala-
ries was acute at this time fifty years
ago in Washington, and the
Teachers following communication.
c, signed "Justitia," in The
oeAoAieS' Star of January 4, 1864.
throws an interesting light upon the
matter:
!If the report of the debate on the
wages bill in the common council MOI
day night last is approximately correct
I am in favor of extending our city .
school system without regard for ex-
pense Among other evidences OF en-
Ilarged liberality l note the following:
Now, sir / institute no such COM
parison That we have females who are.
many of Them as we'll qualified as a
great many of the ladies in the public
schools in New England I have no
doubt. l vote fair and square on all
the bills which come before me, and
when my constituency, which is an In
telligent one is not satisfied with me. l
Twin give up my place here and retire
IF the first proposition is true, then
lit should follow that We are as Wiling
| as the northern people to pay price
| that will keep the soul and BODY OF
good teacher in companionship; aye ana
give her something with which to Gull
tivate the amenities Of life and protect
the self-culture which may become her
highest aspiration. The female teachers
| of Washington. in view of their pay
ceive half the salary of the female
| teachers in Boston; yet here is corRo.
rate officer who boasts of teachers eQuai
to the best, and intimates to them tnat
rryffh
month. and satisfied with his refusal 70
increase the paltry stipend. he will give
up his place here and retire
1.-The secondary grade Is allowed e, a
in question proposes to give primary.
secondary and intermediate teachers
$3.50 per year. Is it too much? 1t Is
$50 less than is allowed by the govern
intelligent labor. 1t is less than half
that is allowed the LATEST and least
skillful government clerk. Their board
and washing, fuel and lights will con-
ling and possible doctors bills (where
they occupy dark. damp, mouldy and
messy underground dens as school
houses) will leave little of the re.
mainder for books and other means OF
elevation. We would ask our aldermen.
before whom the question now comes,
with great respect: Must young wom-
an. possessed Of capital OF literary
culture and mental discipline. and the
sraces of gentleness and patience. give
the freshness of her young life and the
treasure of her intellect for such a
bauble as S25. or even $50 per month!
If they would, the citizens of Washing
ton are more Just mot to say chfvalrous)
and less niggardly. and will gladly
sanction the proposed increase"
| 4: ::
| In The Star of January 5. 1854. is over
half column Of editorial correspond.
ence signed by the easily
War-Scarred recognized initials. &c
| u S. NJ" describing a rail.
VIslhla. road trip through fifty
miles of battle-ground" in the course OF
visit to the Army of the Potomac. from
f, which the following extracts are of pres
| ent interest:
| From thence (Manassas), to Brandy
station. the chocolate-colored soil is stud.
ded with mementos Of stirring events
Cannon-shattered trees, guerrilia-wreckeo
cars by the wayside, graves at Catletts
graves at Bristows, fields rutted parable
to the railroad tracks. the mile-widtf
where the immense artillery and trans
portation trains of the opposing armies
i have chassez'd back and forth and fortf
and back between the Potomac and the
Rapidan The army headquarters
/ 1 find in cozy, sheltered position. In
! forest OF pines of considerable extent
: The forest is. however. being ieveleo
daily to that extent. from the needs IoI
.be left soon but fringe to keep the
northern blasts away. The modest ten'
of Gen. Meade-a plain hospital tent
with rough brick chimney and lighted by
paneled DOORS in the semi-circle of tents
occupied by members Of his stan house,
| hold Passing his tent door just now.
i saw this honest and energetic omcei
seated at his table in plain Knit jacket
busy at work, doubtless. In upsetttng the
schemes of the host of scalawags anc
army leeches intent upon getting ovel
I or under or around wholesome army reg
J ulations Judging by the grim smile or
: his face, he had just got a Dig thlns OF
some of these rascals.'
|
The political pot was beginning to boi
at this time fifty years ago, as the need
! of nominating candidates
| Presidential for the presidency was
| realized as an early duty
| CaMpalSA- There was. of course, a
very general feeling through the north
! that Lincoln should be reelected te
. carry on the work of the war, which
/ il was by most citizens believed. was
/ anproa ching successful conclusion
! Tokens of that sentiment came to hano
from time to time. In The Star OF Jan
; nary s. 1864, is printed the FOLLOWING
| resolution. adopted two days previous by
fine New Hampshire Union state conven-
| ton: -,
| "Resolved, That Abraham Lincoln. by
the exercise during the dangerous CRISIS
| in our nations history of unequaieo
saeacity and craftsmanship. OF moo-
Grafton and prudence which experience
| has shown to be the highest wisdom. by
| his spotless integrity of personal char-
acter. above reproach and above sus-
picion, and by his slowly formed yet un-
| alterable determination that the triumph
of the Constitution and the Union over
secession and treason shall be the hnai
triumph of liberty throughout the naGon,
| has received and merited the aplons
confidence of the people to an extent
I never awarded to any other puohc man
since Washington: that the complete ae-
struction of the rebellion and the resto-
ration of peace. prosperity and the Union
| should be achieved under his admins
tration of the government, and that we.
| therefore. declare Abraham Lincoln 10
be the peoples choice for reelection 10
the presidency in 1864"
* x
| The following paragraph in The star
of January 8, 1854. indicates that the
hope of the north for
| A Virpinian'S an early close of the
| war ran higher than
OesPd4A. the facts actually
| warranted:
"Among the most significant signs Of