Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12
Fifty Years Ago
I'm The Star

Skepticism regarding Edison's inven-
ton Of the incandescent electric light
prevailed to degree,
Edison So years ago that
Warmed caused even many who
| had confidence In his
ability and integrity. to question his
motives in announcing success without
producing results. The Star Of January
6, 1880. says:
Unless Mr.. Edison shall very speed
lily demonstrate that there Is more In
his electric light than can be written
upon paper, his prestige as an inventor
and his character as q man will suffer
very seriously in public estimation.
There is very strong suspicion exist
ing that the Edison electric light Is
being used for the questionable purpose
Of bearing gas stocks, and this suspi-
cion is rapidly gaining ground. The
tone Of the press has, in the past few
days, undergone very marked change
toward Mr.. Edison and his light, and,
as he values his reputation, he ought
to hurry forward the final conclusion of
his latest experiments. His delay in
| making the promised public exhibition
Of his light has operated unfavorably
to Mr.. Edison. The millions who are
tortionate prices for gas are ready to
welcome anything that will give them q
cheaper light and to award honor to
the inventor Of such q light, but the
all-pervading love of fair play and
square dealing in this country will con-
denim any schemes for purposes of
speculation"
| y
The aI-----' g. : man upon the stage
Of ns,.Ji.si legislation and politics who
| - became one of the ma for
German OF forces In the Demo-
Maryland. cratic party was a. thu: "
January 0, 1880:
"As we supposed would be the case,
Mr.. A. P. German. sometimes designated
as the Napoleon Of Democratic politics
in Maryland. has come off an easy
victor in the contest for the United
States senatorship. Mr.. German Il O
native OF Howard County, Md, and Is
about Al years Of age. He offers q
striking illustration Of the opportunities
afforded to ability and energy to make
their way in this country. In 1882 he
was page In the Senate. where he Is
next year to take his seat as o member.
Mr.. German has occupied various Of
fetal positions in Maryland. and has
been the president Of the Chesapeake
&c Ohio Canal Co. since 1872. He will
retain this place until June next, and
will also serve out his term as state
Senator from Howard County in the
Maryland Legislature. a. he will not
become q Senator Of the United States
until March 4, 1881"
Mr.. German remained In the Senate,
| with . brief interruption, until his
death June 4, 1905, being reelected for
full terms In 1885 and 1892, defeated In
1898, and elected again in 1902. He
thus served more than 20 years In
the Upper House Of Congress.
On the night of January z, ies0, one
OF ths most atrocious murders In The
I'll. u;r+h history Of Washington
Muroer. Philip Htrth bein9
beaten to death by a gang Of ruflan
robbers. while passing through p street
between Seventeenth and Eighteenth
streets, between 2 and o'clock.
This crime caused intense feeling
eral protest against the inadequate
lighting Of the streets, then Illuminated
by gas lamps that were not ignited
when the moon was scheduled to shine.
1t also caused much sentiment In favor
OF an immediate and material increase
In tbs police force, the circumstances
OF the crime brought out in the course
Of the coroner's inquest showing that
there was no policeman anywhere near
at hand when the assault was made or
when the body of the victim was found
by some persons passing along the
street. who called loudly for police for
some time in vain. -Four men were
soon afterward arrested and three or
them were tried and convicted and
sentenced to death. though their ex-
ecutions did not take place until several