Evening star., 1917-06-03
FIFTY YEARS Ago
In THE STAR

In The OIAk
Cholera ragged in Europe ana spread
to tho United States fifty years ago
with such frequency as to
Cholera scause great alarm. Deter
~. mined efforts were made
S""0e' to find the cause, but little
progress was made, although It would
appear from tho following news item
in The Star Of May 20, 1867. that some
Of the scientists were on the right
track in seeking the means Of trans
mission in the water supply, which
eventually was proved to be the chief
carrier Of the disease germ:
"A conference about cholera has been
held at Wetmar, Germany, which may
probably do good. 1t is stated that all
present agreed that cholera IL most
frequently introduced into q country
by travellers from abroad. Another
speaker declared that cholera only ex-
lists under certain conditions Of soil
and water supply. Among the English
representatives present was Sir John
simon. who traced. by maps placed be-
rore the meeting, the source OF the
outbreak Of cholera in the east OF
London, and he attributed the ravages
or the disease to the water supply
being exceptionally bad. The confer.
ence terminated by the passing OF
resolutions recommending. as the most
enective means OF preventing the
spread of cholera, cleanliness and a
good supply Of pure water. Consider
70 1ooG 1n
than thirty-fve years experience OF
this terrible disease, the remedies thus
suggested have little in the way OF
novelty to recommend them."
There was much doubt fifty years
ago as to the willingness Of the govern
ment to bring to trial
Surratt Trial John H. surratt'
OLE, charged with compile
euestloneo. ity in the plot to as
sassinate President Lincoln. who was
captured after a long search at Cairo.
Egypt. Indications to this effect were
afforded from time to time in the court
proceedings, and special interest at.
tached to remark made by one OF
Surratt's counsel in court. as thus re-
ported in The Star Of May 20. 1857.
yesterday in the circuit court (Judge
Wylie) Mr. Merrick. who is one OF the
remark in reference to the, surratt
trial which occasioned much COM
ment Mr. Merrick was asked to fix a
day for the trial Of a certain cause IN
three weeks hence. He was then re-
minded that he would at that time be
occupied with an important trial in the
criminal court. Mr.. Merrick replied In
~rAI
next week in preparing for the trial re-
ferred to in the criminal court. but
that he would not be engaged thereaft-
err as the trial OF Surratt would never
take place. Mr.. Merrick assigned no
reason for making the remark. but
simply gave it as reason for fixing
day suggested by him for the trial OF
certain cause in the circuit court
At this time fifty years ago WASH
ington was in the throes Of prepara-
tions for the municf-
Revising the pal elections. rem
=. dered more interest
hes1stratlon. ing by the fact that
the registry of voters was being cor
rected. The Star Of May 80, 1867, said:
1.-THE judges of election are sitting
today to correct the registry and to
add the names of legally qualified vot-
ers not previously entered They will
conclude their labors tomorrow and
the receivers of votes at each precinct
of the city will then be supplied by
them with a complete list of the names
registered. The report in our paper
nection with the correction Of the reg
istry shows that the judges are en-
deavoring to discharge their duty care
fully, impartially and intelligently. No
name Is admitted upon the list Of any
any objections offered by challengers
on either side are carefully considered
1t will be seen that several names were
thrown out on the ground that the
parties had not. resided in the ward
the requisite length Of time. Thus If
man moves from one ward to another
within a period less than three
months prior to the time Of registra-
ton he loses his vote in either ward.
This. This Is ,,n the strict letter Of the law
doubtless designed to prevent the col
onizing' of voters. It Is as fair for
one side as the other. and, though ap-
pearing to be hardship in deprivine
fed. it will doubtless result in prevent
ing much fraud The chief sufferers
today by this rule were republicans
as many colored voters were thrown
out through not having resided in the
ward the requisite three months"
X
Reactions from the abolition of
slavery and the enfranchisement Of the
freedmen continued to be
Anti-Negro felt in different parts of
u;.,. the former slave territory
fifty years ago. In some
parts they took the form Of opposition
to educational enterprises for the bene-
fit Of the negroes. Such as these are
mentioned in the following, printed in
The Star of June 1, 1867:
"The Stanton schoolhouse for colored
children at Annapolis. Md, was yester-
day fired by some villain. who hoped
to deprive the colored people of the
means Of educating their children, and
on last Monday evening a number of
men and boys attacked a house in
Georgetown. Del. where the teacher
of colored school was boarding, with
bricks and clubs, threatening to burn
it, She left town next morning, fear
tn har