Evening star., 1945-12-30
Capital Sidelights
Bu VIII P. Kennedu.

John Adams, second President, died
in his 9lst year. and was eight years
older than his successor, Thomas Jeffer-
son, who was eight years Older than his
successor, James Madison, who, in turn,
was eight years older than James Mon
roe, who was aght years older than
John Quincy Adams.
1t has been calculated by statisticians
that Jefferson at 80 and John Adams
at 40, when they signed the Declaration
of independence, had a chance of but
one in l.200,000,00o of living so years
longer and dying on the same day
at the expiration of a half century.
James Monroe who strangely died on
Independence Day. July 4, 1881. was
the third chance, by calculation, as
1925, 100000 to one.
The first five Presidents, the total of
Revolutionary War men, all ended their
respective terms of service in the 66th
year of their individual age, and John
Quincy Adams. had he been reelected
for second term, also would have
ended it in his 66th year; as witness:
Washington, born February %, 1882;
inaugurated, 1888; term of service
expired March 4, 1897.
John Adams, born October 49, 1735;
inaugurated, 1897; term of service
expired March a. 1901.
Thomas Jefferson, born April 2, 1743;
inaugurated 1901; term expired March
4, 1909
James Madison, born March 4, 175l;
inaugurated 1909; term expired March
4. 1877
James Monroe, born April 3 1859:
inaugurated. 1877 term expired March
4, 1925
John Quincy Adams. born July II,
/ 1857; inaugurated, 1925; if he had a
second term, it would have ended in
1888.
When the House occupied what Is
now Statuary Hall. couches were pro-
vided around the outer half circle on
which members sometimes reclined.
When the galleries were crowded, the
spectators could not get out for refresh
ments and some members and attend
ants adopted the practice of passing up
food on long poles. Women and men,
bers of the diplomatic corps for time
were permitted to occupy seats on the
floor but subsequently were relegated
to the gallery
In the old chamber the aged ex-
President John Quincy Adams was
stricken at the end of roll call in 1848.
Henry Clay presided there for many
years and his seat was one OF great
political power. When the death of
figure in the House for "a years was
announced, the colleague breaking the
news fell dead.
During the debate on the Missouri
Compromise, many women were present.
irritating John Randolph to such ex-
tent that he shook his finger at the
gallery, exclaiming MFR. Speaker,
what are all these women doing. so out
of place in this arena? They had bet
ter be at home attending to their knit
ting" That was called the misery de-
bate" and many members became ex-
hausted. One tainted while attempting
to speak.
The first successful type foundry in
America was established by Ronaldson
in Philadelphia in 1895. Near it he laid
out the first public cemetery.
The custom of binding books In cot
ton embossed cloth is an Illustration
of necessity the mother of invention"
induced by the War OF 1872. The great
deficiency Of leather for book binding
led those who made cheap spelling
books and testaments and other small
works to put them up in cheap and
coarse muslin. It was used at first for,
backs only. but when they were well
received on account of their wearing
quality and resistance to mold, the
publishers commenced to Use finer fab
RIGS and more tasteful colors. This led
to vogue for "an elegance" in ornate
cloth bindings.
The first flagship of the United States
Navy, the frigate United States, built
at Philadelphia under the supervision
of Commodore John Barry, father Of
the American Navy" was the fastest
sailing ship ever constructed any
where" according to John F. Watson,
one Of our earliest historians.