Evening star., 1914-04-19
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

Much excitement was felt in Washing
ton at this time fifty years ago by GER
tain speeches in the
'Ireasona ble' House of Representa-
cnL tives indicating. as
some thought a treas
enable disposition In The Star of April
H. 1864. is the following summary of the
situation up to that time:
In the House on Saturday there was
an exciting debate on resolutions to eX-
pei Alexander Long. representative from
the second district OF Ohio, and B. e.
Harris of the fifth district of Maryland.
for reasonable utterances in debate MI
Long delivered a set speech Friday. IN
the course of which he declared himself
in favor OF recognizing the rebel Con-
federacy. On Saturday Mr.. Colfax of In
diana proposed a resolution expelnng MIN
for the language used During the debate
Mr. Harris of Maryland made a speech
which alternately excited the derision and
the indignation of the House, indorsing
Mr. Longs speech, declaring that not a
man or a dollar would he vote for this
Internal war; that the south was not
mighty grant that ii never may be, etc.
The resolution expelling Mr. Long was
finally postponed until after his speech
had appeared in the Congressional Globe,
as there was some dispute ABOUT eae
exact words used by him. Mr.. Wash
burne then submitted resolution expeli-
ing Mr.. Harris from the House for the
reasonable expressions he had uttered In
debate On the resolution the House
voted yeas 81. nays IS. tWo-thirds not
a, hn
was not carried. Mr.. Schenck then sub
mitted a resolution characterizing the
words used by MIR. Harris as treasonaoie
and declaring him an unworthy member
Of the House and thereby severely cen.
sured. The resolution of disgrace ana
censure was adopted-yeas 90. nays is.
AS no member having a particle OF self
respect would hold his seat after receiv-
ing such stinging vote or censure II
cannot be doubted that Mr.. Harms VIII
resign his place in the House and betake
himself at once to the Confederate lines.
where he can advocate the rebel cause
with somewhat less dishonor to himself
than while a member of Congress, recelv-
ing Uncle Sans money and under vol
untary oath of loyalty to the govern
ment."
The House debated the resolution re-
garding Mr.. Long from day to day and
on Thursday. April IA. vote OF censure
was passed so to 20.
The District was considerably exercised
in the spring of 1884 over the second
draft which was soon to begin
Second and was seeking to obtain a
nn lowering of its quota, by TAX
oi"A'' ing into account the contri-
buttons made to the federal army pre-
vIously. In The Star of April 13, 1864. is
the following news paragraph:
Yesterday Mayor Wallach. John H
Semmes. esq, president of the board Of
aldermen and treasurer of the citizens
bounty volunteer fund, and Measrs. Uter
mehle, Turton. N. D. Larner and AsburJ
Lloyd. joint committee on the part Of the
city councils. waited upon the PresideI
to represent to him the excess Of ths
quota for this District. President incolr
received them very courteously and gave
them a patient hearing. He then di
rected them to Col Fry, the provost
marshal general, with a request from
him to that officer to revise and adjus
the quota OF the District. The visit t.
Col. Fry. we learn, resulted in an ar
rangement satisfactory to the commit
tee, although they did not obtain the full
justice which they claimed. According
to the understanding had with the provos
marshal general the mayor has since ad
dressed a communication to him, elect
ing to take the census Of 1850 as a basis
for the quota under the calls of 1S61-vz
instead of the enrolment of 1853. which
as swelled by a floating population OF
non-residents. was manifestly too high
This will materially lessen the Districts
quota, If it does not quite do away with
the deficit charged against 1t. This will
~ - NOD HH,% fI,1
stitute brokers'"
Washington long ago earned the name
of being newspaper graveyard" New
journalistic ventures hav,
New Daily been frequent in this city
No. with but few successes. II
The Star of April 13. 1864
is the announcement of the first issue
OF new daily evening paper styled The
New Era and published by George NJ
Weston. The Star says:
Ut believes with Gen. Fremont: goes
in for absolute equality before the Law
of all men. without regard to race O,
color: insists that there are no such
states as South Carolina and Georgia an6
Mississippi now in the American Union
and announces itself finally and espe.
cially In favor Of the Jacksonian princi.
pie of combining our Presidents to single
term of Office"
Friday. April 10, 1864, Washington wa.
Mortified by the receipt of news, printed
In The Star of that date
Fort Pillow OF the Fort Pillow massa.
Mo,,oora ere. which occurred Tues
day. the 18th. when the
Confederate force under Gen. Forrest
after advancing two flags of truce, car.
ried the fort by storm and compelled sur
render The Stars dispatch from Cairo
says:
Immediately upon surrender ensued 6
scene which utterly battles description
Up to that time comparatively few of ou,
men were killed, but the incarnate Con.
federates commenced an indiscriminate
butchering of whites and blacks, including
both sexes. The previously wounded black
soldiers becoming demoralized. rushed to
the rear the white officers having thrown
down their arms. Both whites and blacks