Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-28
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

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IN THE STAR
About six months ago the sculptured
frieze by Paul Bartlett was emplaced
in the east
House Pediment pediment OF the
Sculptures Shown. the capitol
This space had been vacant many
years. Half century ago project
was contemplated for filing it with a
group Of sculpture, as noted in The
Star of January %, 1867:
I'VE notice that the model designed
by Fisk Mills for the pediment of the
south wing of the Capitol building. as
a match piece to the Progress of Civili-
zation' flling the north wing. is now to
be seen in the old Hall Of Representa-
tives. 1t illustrates the act of emanci-
patton mainly. The central figure rep
resents the Genius Of America bearing
the liberty cap. the scales Of justice
and the broken shackles, and stands
amid the graves of the martyrs In the
cause. Her attention is directed toward
the bondmen, and her uplifted finger
reveals the destined decree. The figures
to the left represent the bondmen in
various effective groups. A soldier. en-
blematic OF the army, in the act of
binding UP his wounds. showing how
freedom was wrought. ends this side.
groups, illustrative of their altered
condition This side ends with a sailor,
emblematic of the navy. Upon the
cenotaph, over which the Genius pre-
sides, is the simple inscription Abra-
ham Lincoln The figures are we'll
placed and grouped. picturesque in
treatment and in corresponding orna-
mentation to the architecture of the
wing. In the merit of telling its own
story clearly, the group is strikingly
effective"
The proposed increase of compensa-
employees fifty years ago
Higher Paw had at this time passed
the House and was before
froposal. the Senate committee.
The Star of January "a. 1867, says:
ut seems to be understood that the
Senate committee on finance will re-
port favorably on the joint resolution
increasing the compensation Of depart
ment clerks, but will recommend an
amendment increasing the salaries OF
all such clerks. whether they have re-
ceived extra compensation or not, the
increase to date from July 1. 1866: That
the bill will pass both houses Of Con-
gress in some such shape at an early
day is probable, and We trust that there
will be but little more delay. as the
measure, If 1t becomes law. will bring
& IL -s~%
None but those who have felt the dis
comfort, amounting almost to misery.
which attends the efforts to support
and educate a family in this city on a
salary which is exhausted every month
| in the purchase of the commonest nee
| what a Godsend one or two hundred
dollars will be, coming at this time,
when living expenses are at their high
est: nor how much domestic comfort
and peace of mind will be brought int
homes every month with the $50 to $50
additional pay"
Europe was discussing methods for
| the partition Of Turkey fifty years ago,
as it was for years after
CARVING Tn ward. up to the outbreak
of the present war. In
1867, is the following item on the
question:
by late advices from Europe it ap-
pears that plans for the partition of
the Turkish empire are being seriously
discussed, and it begins to look as if
the only obstacle in the way. the jeal-
ousy of the great powers. as to a
mutual satisfactory division of the
H,n q
able to form some idea as to the policy
which the rulers of the great states
are likely to hold toward Turkey and
each other previous to and at the final
settlement. From Prussia we have the
| outline of plan. just proposed in Ger
many, for the partition of the Turkish
empire and the obliteration of the
porte government, which, II carried
out simultaneously and in the interests
of the Christian subjects Of the sultan,
particularly by Russia and Austria.
would be likely to effect the object
without bloodshed Russia takes to her.
self the credit of being the only sincere
friend Of the oppressed peoples of the
Turkish provinces. and watches the
progress of the Austrian agitation in
Poland with much anxiety. and is likely
to anticipate the Hapsburg movement
by bold counterstroke."
The winter of 1866 and 1857 was ex-
tremely severe in this part of the
country. with exceptionally
pofoman cold weather. The result
was that the Potomac river
rrozeA. and It's affiuents were
frozen during the greater part of the
season. In The Star of January %,
1867, is a note from the Alexandria
Gazette, saying:
1.-THE harbor and river still remain
closed and the ice is apparently get
ting stronger. Heavily loaded wagons
daily cross the Potomac from the Vir-
ginia shore to Georgetown and at all
the upper fords Of the river; Occoquan
creek has been used for a roadbed be-
tween this city and Fredericksburg for
nearly three weeks. The Potomac has
now been closed for four weeks"
The Potomac was frozen from the
Falls to below Lower Cedar Point. and
many vessels were caught in the ice
Mt various points down the river. In
The Star of January 26, 1867, is the
following with reference to the situa-
ton caused by this blockade Of river
traffic:
"As the continued suspension of navf-
cation on the Potomac is leading to
scarcity of fuel and other articles and
rise in prices. it has been suggested