Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-04-12
was of the incest and Observation-Disclosures. and that


the architectural part of the monument is near
ly completed and having made some rough cal
cuatiOns by the usual price OF such work, In order
to approximate the cost, | see no reason to sup
pose that there has been any waste OF the pubic
money There is, moreover, positive testimony
on this point. Mr.. Wood, witness, endorsed by
Lit Cav and Mr.. Temple, who has been eighteen
months engaged on the monument work. witness
ing tho laying of every stone, and who has been
for twenty-five years worker in granite, (both of
which witnesses may be regarded as experts in this
matter) have expressed the opinion (see their
testimony, PIP &c, 80 oft the report) that the work
has been executed with the ordinary economy
Mr.. Mills, the architect, concurs and on his opin
ion place much reliance. He is represented to
me by gentlemen in whose judgment and candor
have undoubting confidence, that he is man of
integrity, and his distinction in his profession is
matter of notoriety, it being well known that he
has been connected professionally, with many OF
the most important public buildings in the country.
Connecting the data before stated with the testi
mony of the witnesses referred to, | am not
prepared to say that the work has not been done
with all reasonable economy. L do not mean to
say that nota dollar has been wasted; but that,
far as have been able to Judge, the work has been
executed with much economy works of the
quality and description of this unusually are.
This is my opinion, whatever that of others may
be, and hesitate not to express it, at the
peril of being charged with allowing personal
considerations to ''supersede my Whiggery."
The report is next denounced because it does
not condemn what the Wing regards as the lille
gal contract with Mr.. Crawford, and because it
does not reprobate the overdrafts on the monu-
ment fund. "We find, (says the Whig,) no re-
probation of this unauthorized proceeding in the
| report of this uauated committee."
Sir 1t was no part ofthe committee s business to
reprobate this orany proceeding. twas their
duty to find out the facts, and when found, to re-
port them to the House, that the House nigh
form its own Judgment, without having those of
the committee obtruded upon them. This the
committee did: it reported the facts. 1t fur
nished with the other testimony, the contract
with Mr.. Crawford, and gave the aggregate ex-
penditure, also the probable cost of the monu-
ment when completed. Here were all the data
necessary for any criticism which the Wing or
any else might be disposed to expend upon
the conduct of Gov. Floydin the matter.
do not, however, hesitate to express my own
| opinion that there was ample authority for the
contract made with Mr.. Crawford. The Cover
nor was authorized by provision of the Code to
have the monument constructed on the square
upon given plan. to be agreed upon by the Gov
ernor and Council, and according to the plan Sc
lected, an equestrian statue, two pedestrian sta
tues, and sundry groups, wreaths, shields and
stars are called for as equ ipments of the monu-
ment and presume that the authority to con-
struct the m onument particular plan, carries
with 1t, necessarily, the authority to contract for
the inseparabe appendages; provided the amount
OF the contract should not exceed the total appro-
priation made by law When the contract with
Mr.. Crawford was made, the total appropriation
had not been exceeded, and therefore, the con-
tract is valid and binding on the State.
But whether the Governor did right in ex-
pending more than the difference between the
Eo ,ptroot al W. oy,I C1 ~
900, the total amount of appropriation, is another
and different question. There responsible
ity taken here, confess; but whether it was well
! taken, each person who chooses to Judge in the
matter, must decide for himself | am disposed
myself to look upon the act with much allow
ance, and for two reasons; first, because if the
contract for the necessary equipments Of the mon
ument had been delayed until the architectural
| structure on the square should be completed, the
completion of the monument would have been
postponed several years longer than it otherwise
would and secondly, because contempla-
ted, when the sum of 100000 was appropriated,
that it would be sufficient to complete the struc-
ture. Sir, the stigma resting on Virginia of hav-
ing not yet erected monument to the memory of
her own illustrious and Father of his country,
her own great and good Washington, ought not
to abide upon her one hour longer than it can be
wiped away. And | have not doubt, sir, that
the people OF the Old Dominion, his native land,
Will look with an lndulgent eye upon that act of
her Chief Magistrate which had for its object the
erasure of this foul stain from her escutcheon.-
Nor do the less doubt, Mr.. Speaker, that the flu
ture Legislature of Virginia, that shall be called
on to supply the means for consummatng this
memento of her illustrious son, will hesitate fora
| single instant to meet so irresistible demand
upon her patriotism and her pride.
L notice, next another most extraordinary as
sertion of the Wing. 1t says:
Ihe whoe affair re,ey ad4oitly managed against
the Commonwealth q'1dthe Wig party. Wig gentle
to, and intimate personal relations aA Governor F2oyd
entirely superseded has IVhaggery The report comes 0u
under has auspices, and to forth to the wo1d Wig
eradication Of ohaterer misconduct may haze occurred IN
the construction Of The monument the management of
the fund.
Here is distinct charge that the committee
was organised with reference to party advantage
You know, Mr.. Speaker, better than can, wheth-
er in arranging the committee, you had any such
unworthy design. cannot pass into the secret
recesses OF your bosom and there seeby an inspec-
ton of your motives, whether this remarkable i'm
putation of the Richmond Wing have foundation
or not But this | may, from long acquaintance
with you, say, that in my judgmen t , you are ut
terry incapable OF the baseness ascribed to YOU,
and thereis not Wing in this hall, am sure, who
will not unite with me in the sentiment now
express.
MAKE party capital OF this investigation! Such
an idea could never enter proud and elevated
mind. Sir, will do my Democratic friends in
this House the justice to say, hold them incapa-
Bile of seeking political advantage from any such
contemplate source. And as for my own party,
sir, it is lofty party. l have ever gloried in it
as such 1t is party that -eminently despi-
SEES little things. If have learned any thing of it
in long and intimate association with it
an association which has been never broken
n ndy Srtyr
verse, in triumph or defeat l say, if I have
learned any thing oft, in long, continued and I'M
broken association with it, it is too lofty in its
aims too proud in spirit, too honorable, to descend