Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-02
FIFTY YEARS AGO IN THE STAR

III In The SIAk
the damage Of the buildings. and the
great annoyance of residents in the
neighborhood. And then. after these
rough plays. they enter the school
room in an excited and demoralixed
condition. united to enter upon the
school.
This evil is doubtless greater in
connection with the boys than with
the girls schools-yet only a rev
of young girls shivering around the
door Of their schoolroom nearly an
hour before the time for commence
ment of school. greatly endaneetlns
their health, as well as their otspoel-
tions for the day. by the neediess eA
posure.'
A demand for the night opening OF
the Library of Congress. to give the
people fuller
Appeal for Night een .,,. OF . "a.
Library Opening. forded by that
growing institution, was expressed nfty
years ago. though 1t was not met Tor
many years later. In The Star OF octo-
Der %, 1869. is the following:
Mr.. Librarian Spofford. In the ad-
mirable paper read before the Social
Science Congress in New York on
Tuesday evening, concluded his sum-
mary Of the condition OF the Library
of Congress with the suggestion tnat
plete it's usefulness, both to the Ma
tional Legislature and to the peo-
pie, by whose means 1t has been
built UP and sustained. as follows:
"'First. the completion tnow Al.
catalogue of subjects. which will fur
nish a complete key to unlock its
treasures and. secondly. to be thrown
open to readers during the evening
as well as during the hours OF bust
ness. Its value to the numerous
would thereby be intellectually in
creased; and IL Washington is ever
to become anything more than an
insignificant city it should present
every reasonable privilege and at
traction. both to residents and So
the government to provide
'Mr. Spofford's excellent PROPOSE
tion to throw open the library dur
ing the evening is made in the broad
and catholic spirit OF true scholar
ship. which sinks all considerations
of self in its desire to advance the
public good and bring the people up
to higher plane Of intelligence.
since it could hardly be put in force
without adding several hours hard
He deserves, therefore. all the more
credit for making the suggestion"
Washington was greatly concerned
with the paving question nifty years
ago. hoping for a
Improvements better system Of
Required. tn. convsn,.nes Of
all the people and in the hope of a
develop ent of the municipality. In
The Star Of October 80. 1859. the mat
ter is discussed at some length. with
the following conclusion:
"Latterly there has been a dispo-
sition manifested on the part Of per-
sons of means and culture residing
| elsewhere to invest in property here,
| with the view partly of aiding in de-
veloping the resources and advan-
| tages Of the city and with the purpose
also of erecting spacious and elegant
residences in which to make their
| homes for At least a portion of each
! year. This gratifying movement In
doubtless due in a large measure to
| the delightful climate. the beautiful
| suburban surroundings and the I'M
| equaled social attractions of Wash
| ington: but the promises heretofore
held out that the long looked for era
| of improvement was to be inaugu-
rated. and something done toward
making the city what il can and
ought to be, made. had quite as much
in this direction. Such at least is the
statement given to us in more than
, one instance. And now we desire to
tell our people plainly that unless they
bestir themselves at once and actively
in making at least some Of the long
and sore1y needed improvements, not
only will other persons Of the class
named be deferred from making in
vestments here, but those who have
already invested will be for getting
! rid Of their bargains at any price and
shaking the dust of Washington from
their feet forever. More than this
here. whose all il centered here. and
whose lives and means have been en-
ployed in building up and beautifying
| the city, are losing heart and interest
in their uphill work and are casting
about with a view to locating else
| where. where their efforts will be
better rewarded. It il no idle fancy,
as will be found out all too soon, un-
less there is a change for the better,
and that right speedily. Things have
reached that pass when the people Of.
Washington must choose between inn
proving the city and fencing 1t in.
Reader w6ich forrs