Evening star., 1931-05-31
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Year after year hope was held so
years ago that something would be
Prospect of Flats fhe a9e tsro.De 70 '0TpSft n1it
Improvements. Snsc S3nce & In the Poto, toto,
which disease spread throughout the
capital. The Star Of May "a, 1881,
SAYS: .s
There is at least substantial reason
to hope for the improvement of the
river front and the abatement of the
Potomac fats nuisance The impor-
t"nce, or rather necessity. Of removing
the unsighly and unhealthy flats, of
deepening the river channel, and i'm
! proving and beautifying the river front,
had stronger hold upon the congress
sional mind last Winter than ever be-
fore. Members Of both houses who
the opinion that fully two-thirds of
Congress were willing to vote an ap-
preparation for this Improvement, but
the question, How shall it be done?"
was the stumbling block Theorists,
sharps and spectators were laboring
to influence Congress in favor of this
or that plan: but in spite Of this ob-
stacle it is not improbable that bill
Of some kind would have been passed
OuJ 4Oi lIlS dDSOIUlIl2 contest
arose over the funding measure
THE residents Of Washington. how
ever, can congratulate themselves and
the city upon the fact that one step
has been taken in the direction of a
proper and permanent improvement Of
the river front. The subcommittee ap-
pointed under the resolution Of Senator
Ransom. and of which he is chairman,
intend to give the question of this
improvement, in all its length and
breadth, thorough consideration dur
ing the coming Summer. On this
committee there are gentlemen who
have, as members of Congress, spent
years in Washington and therefore
they are familiar with the needs of the
city in respect to this matter. They
know the sharps and spectators who
for selfish purposes have delayed the
relief sought by the people. and this
knowledge will be put to use in max
ing the investigation. It is the purpose
OF the committee to work diligently
during the Summer, in order that they
may have a complete report, together
with specific and definite plan of work
proposed, reday for submission to Con-
gress early in the next session. The
members Of the committee are confident
that an appropriation will be provided
in time for the work Of improvement
to be commenced in the early Spring
Of next year."
Upon their resignation In expression
OF their antagonism to President Gar
The New York ments. @ senators senators
senatorships. Tsnt Uonkl1ns nsca and a. FIAT at
bany and sought reelection by the
New York Legislature. A deadlock re-
suited that lasted for many weeks.
The Star Of May 20, 1881, says:
"The members of the New York
Legislature temporarily relieved them
selves of the pressure of machine and
anti-machihe by adiourning yesterday
and hurrying to their respective homes.
This short respite until Monday was
to be profitably employed by the Legis-
lature in finding out the feeling and
wishes of their constituents, whose
right to voice In the pending contest
cannot very well be ignored by those
who desire to continue in public life.
THE first week Of the senatorial
fight. by no means indicating what will
be the end, has developed several i'm
portant facts which assist in forming
some conclusion. In the first place,
Mr.. Conkling and the machine have
proven to be much weaker than even
his opponents supposed. Prior to the
ex-senatcr's appearance in Albany he
was generally credited with almost
arbitrary control over majority of
the Republican members Of the Legis-
lature. The leaders of the administra-
ton side, conceding to Conkling ma
jority, had decided not to enter his
caucus. The most strenuous efforts of
the Conkling men. directed by the ex-
Senator himself and backed by his in
fiuence, failed to rally q majority, and
the proposed caucus ended in darkness
and defeat.
Another important development of
the week is the cohesiveness of the
anti -Conkling Republicans. 1t was said
of them that they would not be able
to hold together; but in fact they have,
under the leadership of Mr.. Robertson.
effected an organization far superior
TO that Of the stalwarts.
"It Is tolerablyS Splain now that Conk-