Evening star., 1919-10-12
FIFTY YEARS AGO In THE STAR

have been rather understated than
cverstated by the reporters. And the
assumption that there has been . dis
position to exaggerate these occur
rences In order to find an argument
for change in the form of the city
government to one hy commission 10
entirely gratuitous. nisorderly scenes
are liable to occur in any legislative
body and would afford very slight
basis for an argument in favor OF the
surrender of the city charter. The
arguments for that course are strong
and ample. without need of reinforce
ment. The number who continue to
hope against hope that anything can
be done under the present form OF
municipal government to set things to
rights here Is small. and growing
much the fault of parties or of men
as of the awkward system Of mu-
nicipal government. complicated as IL
Is with congressional control. city
government with the best intentions
and the most energetic purposes in
the world must be nearly powerless
for usefulness thus hampered. 1t may
be said that in changing the govern
ment by commission they risk swap
ping King Log for King Stork. and
that a board of commissioners may be
both arbitrary and corrupt. But most
of our citizens. we take 1t. will cheer
fully stand the chances of the expert
ment. II 1t works badly 1t would be
easy to return to charter govern
ment. II this is tea. landlord said
the traveller about his dubious bever-
fee. will take tea. but change 1
will have The citizens Of Washing
ton would like a change"
4
Sometimes a literary work that has
long retained its popularity has to
make it's way slowly.
"Tnnoeents Mark Twain's- 'Inno-
..-,y cents Abroad" how
ADIoao. ever. was an Immediate
success. The following review of 1t.
printed In The Star of October Z.
1869, shows that Mr.. Clemens immor-
tai book was Immediately appreciated
here:
"The Innocents Abroad has reach
ed Washington and goes on like hot
summered and wintered and has q pretty
wide parish of appreciative friends: the
Innocents. Abroad gives the history
of the steamship Quaker City's pleas
ure excursion to Europe and tine Holy
Land. 1t has the paradoxical sort OF
book of travels yet written and the
funniest book in existence. Very
dreary reading, indeed, is the would
be comic descriptive writing OF some
travellers who have made BOOKS. ous
with Mark the fun makes itseli. ana
the narrative never halts or takes
bend to afford an opportunity 70
bring in a sorry joke by the head ana
ears There are some TWO or tnIee
hundred Illustrations to the pook-
good. bad and indifferent-some very
good and some almost as .aa,c anSuLnis
salt Lake City. There is one test
that Mark Twain can stand that IS
fatal to most American humorous
writers-his drolleries are worth re-
perusal. Take. for instance, ms So
liloouy at the tomb of Adam. it can
he read an hundred times. with
fresh perception each time OF tne @
wonderfullv grotesque humor OF the
thing, But though Mark Is never
fippantly funny at the expense OF
truth, his book abounds IN SAX
cious and telling hits assthe humnue
ana fraud extant in the way OF, re-
ceived opinions concerning the places
visited. It is refreshing to see a
traveller with Independence enough 70
kick the guide books to the dogs anH
sturdily insist upon depeneitEi NJ, " him
uhat TO admire and what to censure
-
Tn The Star of October 8. 1862 is
the following news item telling OF
proposed i'm
prondsed Capitol provements at the
AAoP0'S~ Capitol. only
Improvements. part of which
were afterward carried into effect
"Mr. Edward Clark. architect IN
charge of the Capitol. Is preparing
his annual report. to be submitted 10
sacretary Cox. Mr.. Clark VIII re-
iterate his suggestion upon the I'M
nortance of appropriations necessary
10 extend and beautify the grounas.
and the Improvement Of the east Iront
will be urged. The original plan Tor
the Improvement of this park con.
temnlates the removal OF the street
railroad track out Of the Capitol
Grounds to 1st street east. Objection
has been raised by senators and mem
hers of Congress on the ground that
the railroad is a convenience to them
in reaching the Capitol. Mr. Clark
will propose, therefore, that the
space on the eastern front shall be
made a parade. with paved foot and
carriage way, the railroad to be d.
verted from its present course and
run under the stairways of each
wing. and a central stairway. By