Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-26
National Monument Society.


this Society met on Saturday last, at the rooms
of the Society, TO assume the duties which the
recent election devolved upon them. The Of
fcers and members Of the outgoing Board al
so met at-the same time and place. Some dis
cussion ensued as to the legality Of the cleo
tion-the custody ofthe books, papers, &C., Of
the Society, and some little feeling was mani
tested on each side, but no serious difficulty
was created.
The new Board organized and appointed Mr..
Eckloff tho late clerk, as temporary clerk Of
the new Board, and adjourned to meet on Tues.
day, Tomorrow at 4, p. M. The old Board
then organized, and adopted resolution au-
thorizing a committee Of five Of its members,
to report what measures II was proper to
adopt in the present state Of affairs.
1t is understood that this committee will re-
port tomorrow forenoon, and inform the new
Board in the afternoon, of the result of their
deliberations on the question Of surrendcring
the management Of the Monument
It has been stated, in one Of the papers Of
this city, that the election held on the 22d inst
was illegal, on the ground that the constitu-
ton Of the Society fixed the 22d Of February,
1885, as the commencement of the term Of the
officers, and provided for triennial elections,
which would fix the times Of election in 1888,
1s41, 1874, 1s47, 1851, 1854, and 1857, and
SO on, triennially. In taking this position,
some very important matters arc kept out Of
view, and one is, that the elections have not
been held in the years above named, the last
election having been held in 1s49, six years
ago, and no election was held either in 1S47,
1851, or 1854, but the old Board held over
from 1849.
1.-THE election held in 1s49 was legal, then the
election in 1856 is legal, and if neither is legal
there is no legal Board, and has not been for
ten years past 1t comes with bad grac.
from board elected in 1S49 to assert, that the
election of 1866 is illegal. The truth is, that
for many years, between 1885 and ls49, no
regular meetings or elections were held, and
no election was held from 1S49 to 1855. Off,
GERS and managers who have held over at diff
ferent times, could only hold over, by the ex-
press terms Of the constitution, until their
places should BE- filled, and if no election was
held at this end Of term, it is ridiculous to
contend, that the Society, at any annual meet
ing, could not proceed to do, what was omitted
to be done at any previous meeting, or at any
previous day fixed for meeting.
IL those who were elected in 1849 were le-
gally elected for full term of three years, then
those elected in 1855 are also legally elected
for a full term; but If those who were elected
in 1849 were only elected to fill out the term
ending in 1851, and have held over for want
Of an election in 1851, then those elected in
1855 are elected 10 fill out the term ending in
1857, when new election should be held.
But there is point of greater importance
than either Of those above suggested.
The Monument Society" is notan ineorpo-
rated body--but private association Of such
citizens as have subscribed to the building OF
the Monument, and which Society can at any
regular meeting adopt whatever measures il
may think At and proper to carry out its pur-
poses. 1t has exercised that right on several
different occasions. 1t did so in electing its
officers in 1849, and 1t did so in electing its
officers in 1855. Due notice was given on
each occasion Of the time and place Of holding
the election. No one considered the election
of 1S49 illegal, nor would the old Board, it is
presumed, have pronounced their own election
illegal, if they had received majority of the
votes on last Thursday.
The late first Vice President-thc late Sec.
rotary, and several Of the late managers las we
can prove) attended at the place appointed last
Thursday to elect the officers
We understand that at an informal meeting
Of the old Board, a day or two before the cleo
ton, those present agreed to elect the survivors
Of the old Board, and to fill the vacancies oc.
casioned by death, with two other individuals
then and there named by them for the success
sion They came to the place Of election for
that purpose. The First Vice President was
present at the election, and sat by the side Of
the Second Vice President, pending the election.
Nay, he cast his vote on that occasion, as did
also Colonel Force, one Of the old managers.
ruftntf tno Fist NlCe fTeSluent on
reaching the place Of meeting last Saturday,
remarked, that he came "to take leave Of the
Washington Monument" But his companions
had decided not to take leave Of Il, without
first ascertaining that the late election could
not be set aside.
II is stated that since the election, the efforts
to obtain an appropriation Of 100000 from
Congress, in aid of the Monument, will not b
pressed.
Wehope not II pressed, we trust our friends
in Congress win oppose the appropriation. /,
is fit and proper that the american people by
private subscriptions should erect the Monu.
ment which they commenced.
The old Board Of Managers in their memo.
rial say, that they cannot succeed by private
subscriptions. Sam Gays he thinks he can
do 10, and as the prestige of his name is work.
ing miracles In operthrooing offete organiza.
cations, he asks leave to try his hand in build.
ing up, what others have in vain essayed to
accomplish. The people generally think, "hi,