Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-17
WASHINGTON MONuMENT.

YESTERDAY, the following report of
the select committee was read III the
House of Delegates, agreed TO, and sent
To the Senate for their concurrence
The committee 10 whom were referred" so
much OF the governors message a. relates to
monument TO Washington have had that sub-
ject under consideration, and beg leave to sub
init thereon the following report:
Ii appears to your committee that in purSu.
ance of a resolution OF the General Assem-
bly,, adopted the sixteenth day Of Feb. 1917,
instructions were issued by the Executive, on
the fourth of April following, TO persons seec-
ted for their patriotism and integrity, TO re-
ceive voluntary donations 10 he applied tn the
erection OF a monument 10 the memory OF the
late General Gorge Wa shugton.
In the adoption OF this particular mode of
raising fund adequate 10 the accomplishment
of so desirable AN object, your committee dis
tnctly perceive, at once, the design of the le-
eisature to avoid departure from the policy
which has heretofore universally characteriz-
ed the councils OF the state, prohibiting the
IMPOSITION ottaXes Tor any other purpose than 10
meet the public eXigencieS, and desire 10 a +.
ford TO their fellow citizens, generally, AN OPP
E.artnnItv of manieSting by voluntary act
T., ir strong attachment TO thaubeSt and great
est of mankind. How notifying then wouid
be the reflection that The only fruit of that
scheme was the collections of the incOnsidera-
BILE sum of eight thousand one hupdred and
thirty seven dolarss, did they not feel assured
that no evidence is afforded by that circum.
stance, Of unwillingness in the people to co.
operate i'll the laudable designs Of the lagisla-
ture.
FIRST, because in the Instructions of the Tx
ecutiye no time was specified when the paw
ment OF the sums which might be subscribed,
was required TO be made into the treasury
Secondly, because the great territorial eX-
tent OF the commonwealth, taken in connccti-
on with the recent date of the Instructions
would have rendered the completion of fhe
plan, impracticable, at any time within the
present session, although under the resolution
OF the last general assembly, in cOmpliauce
with which those instructions were issued no.
thing could be more natural than the presume
ton of the Executive, that the operation of
that measure was expected to he concluded
by the commencement of the present session
And lastly, because they are persuaded from
much ciTcumstauiial information which thev
have received, that considerable sums are al
ready subscribed and daily augmentng which
have not been paid into the treasury. For
these reasons, although they would not hest.
tate under different circumstances to advise an
immediate appropriation from the treasury, TO
effect an object, which would afford so proud en-
example of gratitude and devotion in ms cOul-
trymen to the immortal Washington, your
committee beg leave TO recommend the adOp-
lion for the present Of lhe following resolutions
Res0iref, That the executive be requested
10 renew the Instructions issued on the lth
April last, appointing commissioners under d
resolution OF the General Assembly a6ODted
the 10th Feb. 1917, to receive voluntary dUna
tions, to he applied to the erection of momu.
meni to the late general George Washington /;
aud 20 require the said commissioners to close
Their subscriptions, and make their returns in
the manaer prescribed IA The aforementioned
resolution, Oh or before the 18th day of Deer
next.
RssolrCd, That the executive he requested 10
pro ide suitable model of a monument, the
cost of which snail not exceed one hundred
thousand dollars, TO be erected to the memory
of tie late Gen. Geo. Washington
Rcsoirtd, That the cost Of the said model if
any, he paid out Of the civil contingent fund