Evening star., 1934-05-06

commission form, which has worked out salts
factorily, except that we are still not repre-
sented in the halls OF Congress along with the
rest Of the people of the United States, and.
to some extent at least. are living right here at
the Nations Capital under conditions similar
to those that brought on the Revolutionary
War
When the territorial government ceased to
exist in 1874 there were certainly some ludi-
:rous scenes. Everything portable and not nailed
down suddenly disappeared from the Assembly
Hall. and when the police authorities were no
titled of what had taken place. the lost. strayed
stolen articles, as if touched by magic, soon
reappeared in their accustomed places, having
been mysteriously returned by the relic hunters
responsible for their disappearance. Naturally.
this good news for the press. and of
the papers even appeared for several days with
. front-page cartoon, picturing some special
member of the Legislature in the act Of carry
ing away article of furniture that particu-
larly struck his fancy. incidentally, this was
probably one of the earliest efforts at llustrat-
ing stories for daily newspapers.
| IOWEVER, some members Of the Legislature,
l who were not quite quick enough in
turning the pilfered articles were given a gen.
tie reminder to do so in order to avoid trouble,
and. with few exceptions. they complied i'm
mediately, saying that 1t was nothing but lit
tie joke. But Maj Richards the then chief
of police. not in a joking mood. as they
found out. The newspapers all had a
facetious word to say about what transpired
on this OCCASION and The Star. always ready
for good story, printed the following editorial
on June "a, 1874:
"All Joke"
"And, it seems, the removal of various
articles of furniture from the Hall of Delegates,
by members and others. all joke. But
Gov. Shepherd and Maj. Richards, with an
obtuseness that showed a lack of appreciation
OF the finer kind of humor were so far from
seeing the point of the aforesaid joke that they
compelled the prompt return of the articles
carried off in furniture wagons in this facetious
way, and according to our report, everything
is replaced, with the exception of chair or
two, a silver ice pitcher and the hair brushes
and soap. And yes-that feather duster is still
missing But we have no doubt it will be forth
coming yet The member who, in rollicking
spirit of fun, carried it away concealed in his
pantaloons leg will very likely bring it back in
the same style of exquisite humor. Probably
the soap has gone where it will do the most
good, and if returned at all it will be with de-
pletion. The soporifc weather excuses the use
of the soap. The taking away of the clock
can be defended too. with cheerful mirth, OH
the ground that clocks were made to go. And
through the list; only for the unpleasant
turn to the joke occaSioned blythe compulsory
return of the articles. 1t is not very much
of a joke. you see, when. after taking off heavy
furniture this sweltering weather. you have to
return it per mandate of the police-and pay
carriage both ways"
ONE delegate took a wagon load of furniture
~ away. Another took five chairs, and is
said to have had them repaired. Still another
carried away three chairs, including that of the
Speaker of the House. Indeed other things
were walking away, including large mirror.
and even the towels. combs. brushes. brooms,
inkstands, and even the nail brushes disap-
peared The clock was taken and later re-
turned by we'll known Republican politician,
who for many years afterward. represented
the District at the national conventions.
Henry Beverly who was in charge Of the
hall. fearful that the building would be moved
next. went in search of the late DR.. Tindaus