Evening star., 1936-12-13
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

"The work of Transforming the Wash
tngton Monument elevator into a pas
No Money to Star Of De December 1s
Run Elevator. 1886, "and that of
putting in q new
boiler and laying connecting pipes from
the boiler house to the Monument, have
both been completed. The contract has
so far been completed as to permit of a
practical test of the boiler and elevator
about two weeks ago, which proved salts
factory. Since then the finishing touches
have been made and the contracts closed.
1t is not intended to run the elevator at
all until Congress appropriates funds for
the purpose. The engine has been care
fully creased and partially taken apart,
in view of probable long spell of idle
ness"
A typical District day in the House
Is editorially commented upon by The
Star In its issue Of De-
District LAY cember II, 1885, as fol-
in House, lows:
District day in the
x1OuoC yCStClQdy WAC WdoOCA Ia q A44Oos
shameful manner. The debate on the
school bill developed the fact that there
are some members Of Congress who not
only do not know. but are unwilling to
be taught, the wants Of the District in
educational matters. The most absurd
ignorance, either real or feigned, Of what
everybody else is saying or doing was
exhibited by Mr.. Hopkins, who boldly
asserted that the best people of the
District were opposed to the bill, and
cited In proof an extract from the recent
speech Of a single individual InaSmuch
as Mr.. Hopkins allusion to The Star
represented this paper as having opposed
the bill, 1t was without shadow of
foundation in fact; indeed, so remote is
1t from the truth that the interviews
with substantial citizens which have con-
stituted the bulk Of The Stars references
to the subject have been uniformly in
favor Of the changes proposed. Mr..
Dingley, MIR. Cobb, Mr.. Grout and the
gentlemen who stood with them in the
fight deserve the thanks of the people of
the District for making an end of Mr.
Hopkins buffoonery.
"The spirit which animated Mr.. Hop
kins in this matter was shared by all the
members of the Illinois delegation who
took part in the debate. The object of
the whole party was manifest from the
outset-it being to bind and bolt an Illi-
nois man fast in District Office whose
life tenancy they feared might possibly
be endangered by the passage Of the bill.
Such conduct was unworthy of their
manhood and their patriotism. Without
discussing the merits of this officer, it
may be said that he is as safe in his
place as any other fllnctionary If he de-
serves to stay. If an Office holder
or an Office seeker cannot afford to rest
his case upon this assurance Of fair
treatment, it is safe to say that he has
no case to rest.
'The wasting Of one whole day Of
the paltry few allotted to District affairs
in the House by the filibustering Of q
handful Of Representatives for the pro-
lection Of petty Office holder because
he came from the same State as them
selves, was an outrage under the forms
of law. It was a distinguished President
elected. from their State who made mem
orable the phrase, "A government Of the
people, by the people, for the people,
With what contempt would we have
looked upon such scene as that enacted
In the House yesterday, where the entire
session was thrown away to make this
q government of the people, by the peo-
pie, fora single scheming citizen of
Illinois"