Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-12
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Col. Charles Lindbergh undoubtedly
has 1.-The freedom of the city" of
The Freedom no specific ceremony
of the City. to bs.d that 9tov; effect has
subject of formal municipal greeting
of distinguished guests is discussed as
follows in The Star of June a, 1877:
The freedom of the city, in its
English sense, is explained as meaning
much more than the hospitality of
the city, frequently extended by may
ors of American cities to distinguished
guests. Gen. Grant, for instance, is to
receive the freedom of the city of Lon
don in gold box. On some conven-
lent occasion he will appear before the
city chamberlain to receive it. His
name will be enrolled in the book, with
the name of the clerk and officers of
the city chamber as his 'compurga-
tors, who will make themselves re-
sponsible for his good citizenship. The
chamberlain then administers the oath
Of fidelity, shakes hands with him and
gives him in a gold box a parchment
slip warranting to him and to his chill
dren dwelling within miles of the
city the franchise of a freeman of
London This carries with it certain
rights and privileges. For instance,
he may, If he chooses, carry on any
retail trade without being taxed. If
ne elects to live in the city he will be
free from all tolls and customs, and if
his children should be left orphans
they will have the right to become the
wards of the city. 1t will thus be seen
that, although Gen. Grant will not
probably avail himself of any Of these
franchises. the freedom of the City of
London means something tangible and
substantial. Among those who have
received a similar compliment are
Gen. Butcher, M. Theirs and the EN-
perors of France, Russia, Persia and
Turkey" .,
X
Fifty years ago the Birch, Wambold
and Backus group of San Francisco
A Minstrel at favor tie :
the White House. troupe u p ! OF ap ptaSs'
were entertaining Washington at the
National Theater. In The Star of
June 5, 1877, is the following account
OF an interview between one of the
trio Of owners with President Hayes:
There was an interview at the
White House this morning which was
not down on the books. The sable
knight of the pasteboards had carried
in a bushel of cards, more or less, and
was engaged in his diurnal effort to
keep good-natured a roomful of i'm
patient Office seekers, all of whom
wanted to go in first. The President
within was undergoing his daily tor
ment. To him. perspiring and signing
for breeze, came a card bearing this
SuperScription, Charles Backus and
wife The fame of the minstrel was
talismanic. Admit him. said the
President, and Charley, round-formed
and jolly, rolled in. No, 1 don't want
an office, Mr.. President said Charley,
after being duly presented. I've come
to do you a favor The President
sighed a sigh of relief, in two minutes
had forgotten the cares of office, and
was laughing at some of Charley's inn
promptu minstrelsy. A dozen poor but
proud gentlemen from the South stood
about saying: BE gawd. sab, what a
letting down of official dignity. sab. 4
1t is disgraceful, sahn But Charley
joked and the President laughed.
Well, Mr.. President said the jolly
minstrel. rising to go at last, there's
a box at the theater at your service
Mr.. Backus.' replied His Excellency,
evidently speaking from the bottom of
his heart, i would go to see you three
nights in succession if I could get the
time' and he looked at the impatient
walters within and without. Come il
you can, said Charley. bowling himself
out. and Vowing as he departed that
he had never seen so many seedy.look.
ing generals and colonies in shiny
black clothes gathered together before |
in one place in his life"