Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-14
FIFTY YEARS AGO In.
THE STAR,

New York city was SO chagrined al
the result Of the census fifty years
ago that pressure was
Census brought to bear upon
President Grant, and he
ordered a re-euumera-
ton. This brought troubles in its
train, as noted in The Star Of Hovem-
Der I, 1870:
The mistake made by the Presi-
dent in ordering the census of New
York TO be retaken is bearing its logi-
cal fruits. He has also been persuad-
ed into doing the work anew in Phila-
delphia: and now that the door is
open there Is no telling how or when
he can shut ii. as the population of
nearly every city in the country fell
below the expectations of enthusiastic
friends, who can, in each case. get up
as good reasons for a new census
New York and Philadelphia have Of
iered. Aside from the question Of lc-
gal authority in the premises. the
propriety Of listening and basing Off
ciai action on the clamoring of inter
ested parties may we'll be doubted
Nor is it worthy the executive to thus
tacitly admit fraud or incompetency
on the part OF the officers chosen to
DO the duty originally. Their sworn
obligation and their pecuniary ad-
complete and full enumeration of
population, and We have no doubt that
this has been substantially secured.
as well in New York and Philadelphia
as elsewhere. One of the reasons
given for new count-the absence of
q considerable portion of the popuia-
ton from the cities during the sum-
iner months. when the census was
taken-applies to Washington to "a
greater extent perhaps than to any
| other city in the country, though this
city has not asked for recount"
Whie the Germans were beleaguering
Paris fifty years ago Napoleon III was
held at Wilhelns-
Interview With hohe as prisoner of
Napoleon III. rs,aha .n 10 ' $50 ~ n .
fishes an interview had with him by {.
correspondent of the New York Herald.
Napoleon discoursed freely upon tho
cause of the French disaster. He said:
Il can only liken the recent events to
an earthquake. The reports that I said
] was betrayed are false. like some OF
i1%
what was probably said by many MEM
bers OF the government, was that prob
ably We have deceived ourselves as to
the strength OF our army. as well
that OF the Prussians. As for myself.
basing my opinion, on personal conyic-
| ton, / have often cautioned my minis
ters against erroneous estimates I
well recollect how often Marshal Neil,
pointing to the drawers of his desk,
has told me in confident mien that
his army was complete and ready for
every operation. 1t was no less the case
with Marshal lie Boeuf. 1t was probs-
bly, not fault Of the heart. but of the
head. that they would not listen to me
when j told them We could not compete
with Prussia's military establishment:
that our effective strength. as compared
to hers, was insufficient This WAS tho
deception, the fault of which must be
shared more or less by ALI OF US. and
which led to the most disastrous re-
suits. We We're to have ready at "A
moments notice 100000 reserves when
needed. Not more than one-half of
them were on. hand, and these only after
a delay of weeks. Thus the Prussians
got the start Of us. Notwithstanding
the bravery of our troops. with double
our numbers they obliged US to yield
them easy victory. France needs peace.
but the conditions imposed by Bismarck
are too exacting altogether. What gov
eminent could accept them and at the
same time maintain foothold France
cannot endure the humiliation OF loss
Of territory"
the reigns of government should the
opportunity be afforded, NAPOLEON re-
piled: when I consider the uncer-
tainty lurking in the road to such an
aiui-whsn / consider the vast impede
ments to be moyed=I really feel Nttle
ambition. would rather be indepen-
dent; would even rather be as api
now. a prisoner. and never sleep again
on French soil. Not even for my son
could wish il. ] love him too much
to desire for him the chances Of dread
uncertainty" ..--. ....-
On the south side Of East Capitol
street between I'd and Sd stands It
group of buildings known
Grant for half a century as Grant
row. Many OF those who
0oW' have heard this name have
thought it related to President Grant
and that the row was either named
after him in compliment or was = pri-
waite business venture of his. Ac-
cording to an item in The star Of
November 10, 1870, it was named after
another General Grant.
General A. Grant, architect who has
recently completed a row cot sixteen
first class residences on \ street
south between I'd and Sd east, being
about to erect another row or four
teen fine buildings for residences on
East Capitol street, invited a number
of gentlemen to witness the corner
stone laying yesterday afternoon. Ae-
corelingly, about 4 o'clock Mayor
Emory appeared on the ground with
City Auditor McKelven, Corporation
Attorney Totter, Register Cook, Wa
ter Register Crane, and the comp@n!
was soon increased by the arrival OF
Hon. \. c. Riddle, Chief Engineer
Holmes. Commander Gushing, Com
mander ellis, Aldermen Crock CT, Con-
molly Crossman. Davis and HIne;
|Councilmen Holden. Lewis freeman.
brooks. Murray, Piper, Mccoy and
barton, and number CT representa-
ttyes of the city press General A Grant
announced the object OF the meeting
and exhibited 4 box containing copies
of the papers OF the day and speci-
MAYOR Emery performed the ceremony
of LAYING the corner stone. Tbs mayor
then made a few remarks cornfnend-
atory Of the energy OF the protector
of the building, and Alderman Con-
molly delivered an address on tbs
architectural adornments OF the Ma
tional Capital and the improvements
mad. by the public-spirited citisens
Of Washington, complimenttng the
enterprise OF the proprietor OF this
projected row for his energy. General
q. Grant then prefaced with q few re-
marks an invitation to those present
q, renair to his residence corner OF 4