Evening star., 1916-03-26
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

At this time fifty years ago the coun-
try was in the grip of natural de-
preston which affected
Trdus+ria1 all lines OF commerce
and industry. In The
OepIeSsloH. Star OF March %. 1856,
Is the following on the subject:
Our exchanges from the commercial
and industrial centers TEEN with evil
dence of the dullness of trade and gen
eral instability OF business interests.
at season of the year when life and
anima ton should prevail. This state or
! things is likely to continue as long as
our financial policy is undetermined
and obstacles are thrown in the way
of speedy restoration of the country
to peace and harmony Our recupera-
tive powers as a nation are certainly
wonderful, as shown by the giant
strides made toward specie basis
since the cessation of active hostliities'
Notwithstanding we have been during
the past year in a semirevoiulonary
condition. All that is necessary TO
enable us to reach the desired goal at
an early day is a settled hnanclal
policy. shaped to reach that end. ana
such legislation as will most speedily
l IL
majority of the ways and means
committee are willing to frame Dill
to meet the views of the Secretary OF
the Treasury. but are unwilling to run
the risk of another defeat in the House
The objection was urged against the
loan bill that it conferred too much
power upon the Secretary. We are un-
able to see how a bill can be framed
to meet the emergency without leaving
much to the discretion of the executive
branch of the government The IN
terregnum from the close of this ses-
sion until the commencement of the
next may witness changes in our fnan-
cial and business interests which viii
need to be met with proper action at
the time If Congress can suggest a
| better reconstruction policy than thas
of the President, or sounder imam
cial system than that recommend
ed by Secretary McCulloch. let it
be done. and done at once. as de-
lay is fatal to our prosperity and
an early restoration of affairs to
their original basis Will be hailed with
| joy throughout the country.
Washington's sanitary problems after
the civil war were serious and the
question of housing the poor
| A Canal demanded remedial atten-
ton. In The Star of March
oiun' "a 1865. is an item bearing
on this point. as follows:
Capt William F. SpurSin. local su-
perintendent of the freedmen's bureau
in this District has made a report to
the assistant commissioner of the prog
ress made in policing the houses OF the
colored population of the city The
force under his command was set to
work on that section of the city lying
between 18th and 18th streets and ONO
avenue and the canal. generally known
as Murder Bay. With one or two ex-
ceptions the inhabitants entered INTO
the work with alacrity and ne eNpects
by this evening to have this nelghbof-
hood in as good "A condition as the low
state of the ground VIII permit. IN
the square between 18th ana l4tn
streets and Ohio avenue ana the canal
he saws the tenement houses are dehse-
" crowded with inmates and extreme
" flthy and are so clasely puiil as
t be greatly deficient IN iisht anu az.
He recommends that all the tenements
in the interior of this block be torn
down and removed, which ne asks au-
thority to do. On the corner or l5th
tenements under which stand pools oil
stagnant water. and recommends tnat
these pools be drained. He also rec,
ommends that a culvert be constructed
streets to the canal. to carry on the
foul water from the steam laundry
Large quantities of NTH nave coIlecteo
in the streets and alleys of TINS neleh
borhood which should be removed; and
the outbuildings, he reports, are IN a
dreadful condition, and he says. the
dwellings of the whites in the localitS
above mentioned are in precisely the
same condition as those OF the colored
people"
throughout the war prices were high
in all parts of the country. and 1t was
some time after the close OF
ToIl;nr hostilities that the cost OF
living was lowered. In The
Prices. Star of March IS, 1866, is
the following article on the subject OF
the tendency toward lower prices,
which.w was then in evidence
"Thousands of housekeepers through
out the country are rejoicing at the
good time coming. so anxiously eX-
pected and long deferred. "hei
provisions, dry goods. house rents ana
other things conducive TO comfort ahu
necessary to existence in the social
state are so far lowered in. price as 10
make the difference very perceptlble 10
people with small incomes. Ana the ehd
is not vet. Gold has tallen aDout Ten
per cent since the first instant and is
still tending downwards and prices
must follow Rents are still kept up,
but the number of vacant houses Is
increasing and the unerrins law o1
supply and demand VIII reduce the
rates This rapid return to peace
footing and specie basis is necessarily
attended with a temporary stagnatlon
of business, but the bottom will soon
be reached and then we have every
reason to expect a career of un-
exampled prosperity based on a sure
Foundation. With this prospect ahead
business men should trim their sales
and bear up manfully against the pres
ent dullness which was unavoidable
and is transitory. Buy but little and
make few engagements and for short
time Work off present stocks and
await with caution future develop
ments. Consumers are indisposed to
purchase extensively and dealers must
be governed accordingly.
TT is stated that within two months
mast cotton has declined an average OF
eight to nine cents per pound and the
manufactured goods. as sheetings. mus
Inns. prints. etc. In proportion, five to
eight cents per yard. Groceries are
materially lower. though yet felt to
be high in comparison to what they
formerly were; breadstuffs and meats
are not equally reduced In price,
but 1t is to be remembered that
they are not SO directly affected
by the gold rate as are articles on
which duties are paid in gold.
These articles of food are gen.
orally slower to be affected than i'm
ported goods and manufactures. but