Evening star., 1938-10-02
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star
The sound and fury of the recent po-
1itical camnaionS uas in married. cnn.

n>ls
1oii'Acs w which Washington took its
Years Ago. politics half q century ago.
judging from The Star of
September 20, 1888. washington sees
comparatively little of the hustle and stir
incident to the pending national cam
paign, Notwithstanding the presence of
Congress-" The Star of that date OBJ
served. Hitherto the two opposing par
ties have maintained headquarters in
this city, where much OF the important
business of the canvass was transacted.
In the past this city has been made the
headquarters for the management and
direction Of congressional canvasses, but
this year everything is centered in New
York. The two parties in Congress
months ago organized committees for the
management of congressional elections.
The organized committees remained in
active, awaiting the results of the ma
cratic ticket had been put in the field the
which Senator Kenna was chairman, pre-
enter upon an active canvass, but before
headquarters were established confer
ence was called with the national COM
uAtGCC IA A>CW 4Olh. <ae lAAoG SOAAACA.
ence it was decided to direct the entire
canvass from national headquarters;
that better results could be obtained by
a concentration of means and effort"
The Star of that day also reported that
the District of Columbia then was more
highly thought Of in the councils of the
Democratic party than would appear to
be the case today. At that time, accord
i,,or To a
real manager and directing head of the
Democratic canvass. was in the habit of
spending considerable time at the head
quarters on F street. There was room
an inner sanctum-Set apart for his
use, and in that room many of the de-
tails Of the canvass were settled. The
Senator's presence here brought him in
close relation with the District leaders
of the democracy, and they rendered him
most valuable assistance. In fact, the
District democracy were appealed to in
a crisis in the party's affairs, and they
responded with promptitude and lib
erality that won for them the lasting re-
gard OF the national manager. 1t was
an early noon Of the morning succeed
ing the election, about or 4 o'clock.
New York apparently had gone for Cleve-
ldlO, Out IllC tOtC was ChtANAlCly SlOSG
and the Republicans claimed the elec-
ton. Senator German telegraphed the
local leaders here that New York had
gone for Cleveland, and that the party
must maintain the result and inaugurate
him. He also added that the national
committees treasury was empty; that a
sum OF money was absolutely essential
Immediately to enable the committee to
%r,,e 70 0fn%o
to protect Democratic interests. He
called upon the democracy of the Dis
trict for considerable amount. That
very morning the amount called for was
forwarded, and by the use of the tele-
graph made Immediately available. Sem
ator German and his associates OF the
national committee always speak in
praise Of the fealty Of the Democrats OF
this district"
The Star also reported that, while bet
ting on the election was light in WASH
ington, odds of 500 to $50 had been
offered on Cleveland "out at Monte
Carlo as the section at Seventh and
Boundary streets, occupied by poolrooms,
is now called"
Race track fans, who think there is
anything new in photo finishes" might
n, be interested in the follow
1Ao'o ing item from The Star Of
Finish. so years ago: Photography,
which is supplementing every
art and science under the sun, Is soon, it
appears, to invade the domain of pure
amusement, and become as important
a factor there as elsewhere. A young
photographer of Rochester, N. Y, has
been authorized by the managers OF the
driving park in that city to plant his
camera in front Of the judges stand and
take an instantaneous snapshot at any
thing that looks like a dead heat. It Is
his opinion, and theirs, that an actual
dead heat Is . very rare accident. II,
indeed 1t ever occurs, and, as an inch Is
as good as an ell in winning q race, and
a camera positively cannot lie, an instan-
taneous picture of the horses heads as
they pass under the wire may add much
to the fairness with which the honors OF
the track are distributed. The idea Is
certainly practical and ingenious and its
introduction to the racing field every
where would bar out many Of the un-
seemly quarrels which mar the enjoy
ment Of popular sport, to say nothing
of putting an efficient check on certain
kinds Of jockeying."
Stay Off the Gas.
From the Wtllia m snort pa J Sun