Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-02

C1crk w asnlngton NatonaI Monument Society.
This pretended election of managers of the
Washington National Monument Society was not
made according to the constitution, and was with
out the excuse of any notice authorized by the
board of managers. The constitutional time of
election is every third year from the year of 1895
The years, therefore, for holding elections, sac-
cording TO the constitution are 1888, lS4l,
1874, l647, 1850, 1853, and 1856. The pretense
for holding an election in 1855, is that the last
election was held in l649; that the existing board
OF managers was then elected; and that, dating
from that election, the year 1855 is a triennial
period. Surely, an unconstitutional election in
1855 is not made constitutional by the fact that
there had been an unconstitutional election six
years before. But the title and authority of this
board are derived, not from the election Of lS49.
but from elections and appointments long prior
thereto; and, in fact, from direct grant in the
constitution itself. independent of all elections
by the members of the society, even had there
been no regular and valid elections by them since
the adoption Of the constitution. Not only has
the absolute validity of their title and authority
been recognised by the society throughout a long
series of years, and by the Government OF the
United States, but it is unequivocally admitted
by the official acts and declarations Of the very
parties who are now intruding themselves into
the seats of this board, under color of the spurious
and void election perpetrated on the odd Of Feb
ruary last. The notices preceding and following
the pretended election of February % 1855
were given without the authority or knowledge
Of this board The secretary Of the society was
the officer whose province il would have been 10
sign or publish any such notices. The individual
who did sign and publish them was the clerk Of
the board Of managers; his duties were those of
a recorder and messenger; he had no color of
authority to sign or publish any such notices;
and he had not, in any manner whatever com
municated to the board his purpose of issuing
them. Its regular meetings were on Tuesday Of
every week; the last meeting prior to the pre-
tended election had been held on Tuesday, the
10Th of February; and the board then adjourned
to meet again on Tuesday, the 9th Of that
month. In consequence of the proceedings Of
the I'D, special meeting was called for the oath
On the reading, according TO usage of the iour-
nal Of the last previous meeting, il was found TO
contain a minute importing that the board had
authorized the holding of an election on the god.
This false entry WIS by It's order expunged. Ac-
cording TO the published report of the pretended
election, the whole number of votes cast was
755, OF which all were given TO each of the seven
teen persons elected, except one, who received
754 votes; and not one Of the persons elected
was member Of the existing board. This cleo
ton was carried on certificates of membership
(Which can be obtained by the contribution of
one dollar for each) issued without the authority
or knowledge Of this board; and IL is now beyond
the power Of the board to ascertain by whom
they were respectively issued; or what money.
if any, was paid for them But il is certain that
no payment on this account has reached the
hands Of the Treasurer Of this Society-thc
officer who ought to have received it,
The unanimity Of the votes of the pretended
election the god Of February last; the new GER
tihcstes Of membership which carried that cleo
ton; the total exclusion from the future manage
ment of the society Of those who had heretofore |
conducted it's affairs; the substitution of persons.
but few, IL any, Of whom had been known as its |
friends; the suddenness and precision of the move
ment; the concealment Of the purpose up to the /
of it's execution; all manifested that the /
election was the result of an extensive and secret
combination between persons not members of the
Washington National Monument Society. There
Is conclusive evidence that the plan of the elee-
ton was "silently, yet solemnly resolved . and
framed in the secret lodges of sect styling itself
At one time the " Know-nothing party, at ano-
Their the american party; and that its object
was to transfer the entire and exclusive manage
ment of the monument into its own hands, and TO
Dust every other description Of citizens from all
participation in the trust. OF such revolution
in the principles and conduct Of the society this
board could not consent to the instruments or the