Evening star., 1918-02-17
FIFTY YEARS Ago In THE STAR

No subject was of greater interest
to the people of Washington fifty
years ago than
Charter Extension that Of the e1-
tension of the
Goa0aefaHehs. charter, then be-
fore Congress- In The Star of Feb
ruary 1s. 1858. Is the following on .
particular phase of that question:
$50 far as an expression of public
feeling has been had in this city upon
the charter question the majority of
our business men seem to favor the
commissionership plan of govern
ment for the District as proposed in
what is known as the Morrill, bill now
before Congress. Consequently 80 much
prominence has been given to that bill
that our people seem to have lost
sight Of the possibility that Congress
light in which it presents itself to
us and may prefer to maintain the
elective system here, as provided in
the Harlan bill. From what we can
learn, after careful inquiry, the in
dications are that Congress will con-
clude to oontinue that system, for the
present at least. In this view of the
case, is it not desirable that careful
attention should be given to the de-
tails Of the Harlan bill to see in what
respect they may need amendmentg
Mr.. Harlan. from the intelligent in
terest he has always shown in the
affairs of the District, has undoubt-
edly given his best efforts to the
preparation of a bill that should meet
all the requirements of the case, but
as he must necessarily rely upon others
for his data or for the draft of sep
arate provisions of his bill. it was al
most inevitable that conflicting sec
tions or imperfections should be found
in the measure as first prepared. Many
of the provisions of the bill. for in
stance, appear to have been taken
from Shehan's Digest, and in several
cases laws are thus introduced that
have been entirely superseded by more
intelligent legislation. This is the
improvement of streets, sidewalks, al
leys, etc, in which the old regula-
tions requiring the consent of q ma
5ority of the property holders before
any such Improvement can be entered
upon are revived. In this city of
the land is held by Spectators and
non-residents. who have no disposi-
tion to spend penny for improve
ments unless compelled to do SO, the
old law was found to be a standing
drawback to progress here. and it is
well known that the repeating of the
law has given a wonderful spur to the
growth of the city. To revive the
law would be to put us back a century
in progress. The bill should receive
careful scrutiny by our business men,
and we have no doubt that Mr.. Harlan
will cheerfully receive any sugges-
tions they may make.
we find the belief expressed by
those usually well informed that the
present charter will be extended for
one year. in order to give time to per-
feet a system of government to take
its place. In this event. there will be
ample opportunity for revision and
amendment, but in view of the possi-
bflity that more speedy action may be
had. it is very desirable that proper
attention should be given to the details
OF the bills now before Congress"
In The Star of February 13, 1868, is
found an item that piques the curiosity
without any means of
Skating gratifying it, 1t tells of a
~, skating match started in
aseA' this city on that day, the
result of which is not recorded:
81 To- 1hor