Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Both great expectations and grave
doubts were felt SO years ago regarding
Ed;son,s the practical utility of Edi-
sons new light The Star of
Light. December %, 1879, says:
THE proposed illumina-
ton OF Menlo Park with EdiSon's new
electric light New Years Eve has in
duced many Of the leading newspapers
to publish full descriptions of the in
ventor's work and his method, together
with illustrations of the machinery by
which the light is produced. Prof. Edi-
son claims that he has achieved sue
cess almost beyond his expectations
and that he can produce light supe-
rior to any in use-a light without
flame, without danger, giving out but
little heat. vitiating no air and free
from all flickering,' cheaper than the
cheapest oil. Being unable to find plati-
mum in the quantity desired, Mr.. Edi-
son devised apparatus in which paper
can be used for the purpose for which
he intended platinum. Through a small
strip OF paper an electric current is
passed, producing a soft, mellow light
The paper Is rendered tnpervious to
heat by q baking process which leaves
only its carbon framework. This car
bonized paper is placed in a glass globe,
connected by wires with the electricity
pEOUuCl1R InSCIlu1c, Akiu JLES NlE Is cN=
hauSted from the globe. Notwithstand-
ing the announcement of the complete
success of Mr.. Edison's experiments
with. carbonized paper, there will prob
ably be a good many doubling ThomaSes
who will suggest the possibility that an
other little hitch may occur to prevent
the practical working of the perfected
invention"
In a later issue, December rs, 1879,
The Star said:
THE falling gas stocks in Europe and
America, following the last repMted
success of Edison's electric light indi-
Gates that the gas companies, which
have doubtless kept themselves pretty
we'll advised of the progress of Edi-
sons experiments, think there Is some
thing in IL this time. The scientific
men, with the exception of Prof. Proctor,
still doubt whether the Edison light
will prove a working success for general
lighting purposes, but that point is so
hardly worth while to waste very much
time in discussing the question"
Appointments to the civil service
system had not been fully estab-
Census and lished on the merit
GNU principle so years ago,
Patronage. and each decennial GEN.
SuS organization Of
fered opportunities for the distribution
of political "spoilS" Half q century
ago place hungry partisans were eagerly
looking forward to the organization of
the force for taking the tenth census.
Francis A. Walker the superintendent
of the census, had other ideas. The
Star of December ~. 1879, says:
"Supt Walkers determination to keep
politics out of the census work Is gen.
orally approved, but he will no doubt
meet with . good deal Of opposition In
carrying out his plan. Patronage is
dear to the hearts of Congressman, and
they have been counting on distributing
the positions provided for in the census
bill among their respective supporters
and workers. There is perhaps not a
single member of either house who has
net received scores of applications for
appointment to these positions, and in
many of the delegations, comprising
members of both parties, agreements
have been entered into for the division
of this patronage. This indicates that
Mr.. Walker will not have the support
Of Congress in behalf Of his non-parti-
san plan. Therefore, he will have to
depend upon the appointing power to
select men well qualified for the work,
regardless OF their politics. It is dim
cult to induce Democrats to consent to
this. because they say that as the adj
ministration Is Republican 1t will nat
urally lean toward that party in its
selections. Each party is very Jealous
Of the other in this matter, for the rea-
son that the enumeration of population
Will anect representation in Congress.
There Is probably no man who will not
admit that the census will command
more confidence If it can be kept free
from the influence of politics. Supt,
Walker realizes this. and he is DESTROYS.
so he says, OF completing a census that
viii be a truthful and impartial exhibit
In every one of its features"