Evening star., 1922-04-02
Fifty Years Ago
in The Star

Washington was growing rapidly
and developing materially fifty years
ago. Its population
Washington's was increasing and
Advancement. nrovsm.n,. ITS n,,vs's x.r. ,m,
steadily en- the gain. In The Star of
March 20, 1872. is a letter from the
real estate firm of Kilbourn & Lat
ia, giving some impressive statistics
of real estate transfers during the
year 1871, Enthusiastically showing
holesome activity. The writer
said:
THE transactions in real estate in
the city of Washington for the past
year show q healthy and encourag-
ing progress and this is a matter of
congratulation to those who have
faith in the grand future Of the
nations capital. The recorded trans
fers of Washington city property in
the year 1870 numbered ZOOS. the
aggreate consideration expressed be-
ing $4,927,000, the average consider
alton of each transfer, $2,3S6. The
recorded transfers for Washington
city property for the year 1871 are
eon.ia.es,on CO aSls1wi3 ss1scoo; Tesruary
142 transfers, sss4,5oo; March. 1s1
transfers. sbo4,so0: April. ISL trans
fers. s52o.562; May. 211 transfers
1861 900: June, 21s transfers, $1l9,-
600: July. 22s transfers. $4,000; s Au-
tember. 1s1 transfers. sfSS,6o0; oc-
tober, 276 transfers, sS21,4s4; Novem-
Der, 20S transfers. sS33,231; Decem-
Der, 243 transfers. Ss59,700. Total,
2,552 transfers. $7,447.437.
by this comparative statement II
will be seen that the number Of
transfers for the year 1871 exceeds
those of 1870 by over 20 per cent ana
the aggregate consideration PAID is
so per cent greater than in 1870. The
average consideration for each cor
veyance is nearly $4,000. While the
transactions were largely increased.
the value of the property conveyed
1870.
This exhibit illustrates the substan-
tial progress and prosperity OF our city
In a manner that is convincing and to
q degree that is highly flattering to our
friends and equally discouraging 10
capital-movers and croakers-local and
otherwise.
THE increase in the value OF the
property conveyed in owing largely 10
the fact that persons OF wealth from
ali sections Of our country are purches-
ing residence sites and making inves,-
nents here, with view OF making
Washington their winter home and e!-
toying the many and rapidly increas-
ing attractions of the nations capita
With a united purpose on the part OF
our citizens in pushing forward improve
ments and beautifying our city, the mora
rapidly will capital seek investments IN
our midst, and within a few years Wash
ington Will be the pride Of every Ameri-
can citizen
The thrift Of France in making un-
expectedly early payment OF the in
demn.ty exacted by
France Paying Prussia after the war
indemnity. noted. in the Star of
March %. 1872, is a paragraph calling
attention to the fact
..One good result a: least has come
from the defeat and humiliation o,
France and that is The development OF
a self-denyins patriotism on the part OF
her people which entities them to the
respect of all civilized nations. Not
one complaint is made OF the onerous
taxes levied to pay the war debt and
free the country from a foreign yoke.
but. on the contrary. the citizens ale
du0lIS SOitAl ~ AAi'--
taxes for the same purpose. Two
fifths of the levy of 5000, 100000 francs
imposed on the country by Germany
have already been paid. and nesotia-
tions are now in progress FOR the re-
moval of all prussian troops from
French soil. which has been promised
by Bismarck on payment of the next
5o0.00o.10e francs. This sum France
will soon raise for such a purpose. par
ticularly as it will bring with IL another
boon, and that lis the dissolution of the
present inhsrrnonious assembly. To be
sure, the next one may be no better,
but there is a chance that Il will be 4
more harmonious. wise and patriotic
body with fixed policy of some sor;.
and that is better than the present un-
certainty with a mob OF legislators plot
ting to so shape the new government
as TO secure themselves place and
power"