Evening star., 1949-08-21
Fifty Years Ago

The Star for August IL, 1890. reported from
Rennes, France: "A stirring scene closed
todays session of the Drey-
Sensation in fus retrial. Gen. Mercier
D,svfus Trinl had spoken nearly four
! hours in ruthless denuncia-
ton of Dreyfus, who had listened unmoved
until Mercier concluded by saying that If he
had not been convinced OF the guilt OF Drey-
fus and If the latters conviction had not
BEEN fortified since 1894, he would admit he
had been mistaken. Dreyfus jumped to his
feet as though the words had galvanized
him into life and shouted in voice which
resounded through the hall like trumpet
note: You have lied, you scoundrel! The
audience burst into q wild cheer, whereupon
the ushers called for silence. But when
Mercier replied that he would admit Dreyfus
was innocent If there was any doubt, the
prisoner shouted again: Why don't you,
then?' At this point there was another out
burst of applause. M. Casimir-Perier then
rose and dramatically demanded to be con-
fronted with Gen. Mercier. in order to deny
some of his statements. Col. Jouaust ordered
the court to be adjourned until Monday at
$50 am, for the conformation, and as
Mercier turned to leave the court the audi
ence rose en- masse and Kissed and cursed
him, those at the back of the court standing
on chairs and benches in order to better
hound him down." NJ Labori, attorney for
Dreyfus, was shot in the back during the
recess and for while there was doubt that
he would survive his wound.
X
An order issued by the Postmaster Cen
eral put q stop to delivery Of mail to the Ex-
Slaves Petitioners Assembly Of
Pensions for Madison, Ark, from August IA,
Ex.SIoves 1899 onward; and The Star OF
that date explained that "the
charge upon which this order Is based Is
operating a scheme devised for obtaining
money under false and fraudulent pretenses
The men behind this scheme represented
in glowing terms the probability of obtaining
pensions for ex-slaves and all who were held
in bondage have been approached for con-
tributions to get bill passed by Congress
granting annuities. It did not take the Pen
sion Ofice long to put the stamp OF fraud
upon the scheme, although it found itself
powerless to punish the offenders. Commits
sioner Evans, however, sought the 1nterven-
ton of the Postmaster General for the pur-
pose Of denying these people the use OF the
mails, and in that way hoped to so cripple
their business as to render 1t valueless. IN
vestigation indicated that upward OF $4,000
ex-slaves had already remitted 70 cents
(each) to further the scheme" The POST
master General stressed the fact that this
particular racket" was operated at the ex-
pense of people who could not afford to be
victimized.
ARRANGEMENTS for civic demonstration OF
welcome to Admiral George Dewey, "hero OF
Manila Bay" were dis
PIons for Dewey's cussed in The Star on
p...n.;o, August II, 1899. "The
Ne.eP'o" extent of the night pa
rade." it was conceded, will, of course. de-
pend upon the amount OF money suoscrloeo
and the Committee on nluminations had not
vet submitted it's proposals medal, how
ever, was being struck from metal from q
torpedo recovered from the Reina Christina.
Poems also were being produced IN quanuty
including one which concluded:
And when he takes the homeward tack
Beneath an admirals nag
Well hail that day that brings him back
And have another jag!'
Dewev himself was in no haste to return
He was taking his ease on the Olympia at
Iephorn, Italy, giving his friends in Wash
ington plenty of time to complete their pro-
gram for his reception. One project they
had in hand was the solicitation OF money to
buy him home suited to his rank and fame.
On August Is, 1899, The Star featured
on page / cable from London. reading
in part: Mrs. Lily Langtry.
Lily Lonsty the actress, was married m I.s.. vuts ~
Hugo Gerald de Battle. 2S
wears Of age, the eldest son Of Sir Henry
Perciyal de Bathe bart, retired general
and Crimean veteran. The ceremony was
private the only witness being Mrs. LAngtrya .
daughter. The Prince Of Wales II said u