Evening star., 1915-05-16
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

The mass meeting Of citizens. called
by an advertisement signed by num-
Der of washingtonians.
Mass Meeting to protest against the
IN pro+.,+ return to residence
Az AAo'oe'' here Of those who had
gone to join the Confederacy, was held
in front of the city hall the night of
May 9, 1865. In The Star of the next
day is three column report OF the
proceedings. The Star said:
THE attendance was very large. The
entire front of the city hall. with the
exception of portions Of the street
which had become unsuitable for stand
ing room from the rain. was densely
crowded. The design in gas Jets. form
ing. in immense characters, tho word
Union. in front Of the columns. was
lighted. Illuminating the entire assem-
blage as well as could have been de-
sired in any public hall. The fine band
of Finley Hospital. which accompanied
the seventh ward delegation, was in
attendance and added much to the
spirit OF the occasion"
Resolutions were adopted, Of which
"
significant:
That while we are fully and unal-
terably determined to prevent traitors,
their abettors and sympathizers. from
acquiring or retaining residences in
our midst, we recommend and urge the
utmost prudence and deliberation in
the adoption of means to effect our
purpose. Rashness and precipitancy
Of action should be avoided The i'm
pulse OF passions should be restrained
and controlled. so as to give the great
est possible efficacy to the dictates of
calm and enlightened Judgment. And
In whatever we do we should endeavor
to secure the approval and co-opera-
ton OF the national government: and
we therefore request the president OF
two from each ward Of Washington
and Georgetown and from the county
to present its proceedings to the proper
authorities and to consult with them
in relation to the most feasible plans
Of action. BY thus moving in harmony
with the authorities we cannot fail In
our undertaking."
Tho military commission named by
the President to try those accused OF
participation in the
Conspiracy conspiracy against
Comm;.s;or President Lincoln and
ooisoAon' other members of the
government. met Tuesday, May 9, 1885,
at the Washington barracks, consisting
of the following: Maj. Gen. David
Hunter, U. s. ": Maj. Gen. Lew Wal
lace. u. 8. "; Brevet Maj. Gen. August
v. Kautz, U. s. ": Brig. Gen. Alvin P.
Howe. U. s. "; Brig. Gen. Robert S.
Foster, U. 8. ": Brig. Gen. T. NJ. Har-
ris. U. S. "; Brevet Col. c. H. Tom
kins, U. S. A.: Lieut.. Col. David Glen
denim. sth Illinois Cavalry; Brig. Gen.
Joseph Holt. Judge advocate and re-
corder, assisted by Judge Advocates
Burnett and Bingham. The first ses-
sion of the court was held behind
closed doors. The conspirators were
arraigned and asked to select counsel
The Star of May IL. the prisoners were
asked If they objected to any member
of the commission, none having such
objections, and all the prisoners plead
ed not guilty. The reports of the ses-
sions were withheld from the public
until approved by the court. and, con-
sequently, reached the public, as a rule
at least one day late.
The Star Of May Is contains the first
detailed account Of the proceedings Of the
commission. comprising sew
Scene Of eral columns Of the issue.
~, An interesting story is also
AAA~A' printed describing the scene
in and about the place Of trial:
"Four-and-a-h half street. leading to the
place Of trial of the conspirators, Is
strongly guarded from Pennsylvania ave-
nue. to the penitentiary building. At the
upper gate there Is a strong guard and a
line Of sentinels which spreads from the
building, where is posted a strong guard
of veteran reserves At the east door
there are a number Of officers on duty and
room. On entering the wide hall those
privileged with passes signed by the
president Of the commission. Gen. Hun
ter, are directed to q wide stairway which
leads to the hall on the second floor and
from the small room in the northeast
corner of the building. The stairway
from the ground floor is covered with a
mating, as we'll as the courtroom. AS
we proceed toward the courtroom we
find at the foot of the stairway sentt-
mel, who says not word. but motions us
to proceed, and so on we find a sentry
at every turn. In the second story room.
from which rises the stairway to the
court above. a number Of officers are
found at a table in the center awaiting
orders, while around the room are order
lies. ready to gallop off with any sum-
mons or message from the court. Oppo-
site to this room is another of like size
for witnesses.
The courtroom is the northeast room
Of the third story. about forty by fifty
feet. with four windows-two on the
north side and two on the east-heavfly
grated. At the west end of the room
is the prisoners stand, raised about one
foot from the floor and surrounded by
plain railing about four feet high. ex-
tending nearly the whole width of the
room. there being left at this end just
space enough to admit Of a heavy wooden
door being set in the wall. This door
way has been lately cut through. and the
door itself is of wood, thickly studded
with bolts. This door leads into. the
On the south side are two doors. the one
nearest the prison box being closed.
while the one nearest the east
wall opens into an adjoining room.
The court is seated around long.
green baize- covered table on the
ter occupying the seat nearest the door,
while at another table are seated tho Of
flcial reporters of the commission and
representatives. of the press. The witness
stand Is in the center of the room. and is
about one foot high. surrounded by
railing"
In the same issue Of The Star May Is,
1866, is carried the news of the capture
Of JEFF Davis at Irwins-
Canture of ville Ga. 7 he news had
been received the day be-
OSsAo' fore and was conveyed to
the public by an extra issue Of The Star
being reprinted in the next days regular
edition. 1t was brought in tho form OF