Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-24

Fifty years ago the model room OF
the patent Office was a veritable museum
and contained num-
Trophy Sword Der Of articles OF value.
=. c.., intrinsically and his
S'oieA' torically. Ono Of the
most interesting features in this exhibit
was a case containing relics Of George
Washington. In The Star Of March II,
1868, is an item that tells OF a robbery
from that case:
Last night valuable sword, worth
$4,000 or $4,000. on exhibition at the
museum in the patent Office, was stolen
from case containing most OF the relics
| OF George Washington. The thief appar-
emily gained access to the sword by a key
fitting one Of the doors on the east side
| of the case, as he left the prints OF his
fingers upon another hess valuable sword
on that side of the case, presented to Com
mander Elliott. The stolen sword was
one presented by the viceroy Of Peru to
Commander Biddle Of the o. s Navy,
many years since, and was studded with
diamonds. The scabbard. which was OF
gold, was stolen several years ago. 1t VIII
be remembered. with gold snuffbox and
other jewels, a portion of which was sub
Sequently recovered"
The finger print method of crime detec-
| ton was not then in vogue. else the
! identity of the thief might possibly
Although the administration had nego-
tiated for the purchase Of Alaska from
Russia and treaty
Alaskan Purchase to that effect had
been ratified, OBJ
Appropriation. struction to the deal
arose later when the time came to ap-
re.%A 20 hn yaryrN = G
price. In The Star Of March IS, 1868, is
this item:
| There was a full meeting of the House
committee on foreign affairs this morning
| to consider the bill appropriating money
| for the purchase Of Alaska A very spicy
and animated debate ensued Of nearly two
hours duration. Gen. Banks presented a
report in favor of the appropriation, main
tanning that as the treaty had been SOL
| EMMY made by the executive department
and in the same spirit ratified by the
Senate, it was the duty Of Congress to
I make the necessary appropriation with
| out hesitancy. Gen. Washburn of Wis
consin presented another report, taking
an opposite view from that OF Gen. Banks.
and asserting that the whole question was
one for Congress to decide and that the
purchase could not prove beneficial to this
| country, and that the expenditure was
| unwise in the present condition OF affairs.
Without coming to any vote the entire
| subject was ITlOrHidiiN ldih obcf hiitii
the first Tuesday in May next. when it
will be brought up for final action. The
\ meeting today demonstrated the fact that
there was more opposition to the pur-
| chase than had been expected. and 1t was
understood that when the subject comes
up again a third report will be presented
in committee opposing the purchase, but
couched in milder language than that
used by Gen. Washburn."
| There was a lull in the impeachment
proceedings during the week fifty years
ago, the PRESIDENT
! prnnaripo for counsel being busy pre-
-, pairing answer to the
tue Alid1. charges, while the
| House managers were making ready for
the trial. In The Star of March 20.
| 1868. is this item:
| The House impeachment managers
held two meetings yesterday and exam
ined one witness, the Hon. Horatio
King, who was Postmaster General I'M
dor Mr. Ruchanan Mr. King did not