Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-05-29

OF lne door was miscellaneous assem-
blase Of persons. Sr. Briggs refused
to surrender the possession which bad
been obtained by violence on the preced-
ing Saturday; aud the superintendent
was forcibly elected from the premises.
From the foregoing statement il will
appear to you that the existing state Of
things is the result ofa combination out
side of the society to obtain, for party
ends, possession of the monument and
control Of its affairs; that the secret as
sociation which planned this revolution,
through boasting that their power is per-
manent as well as irresistible, yet refused
to wait for the time when the revolution
could be affected according to the consti-
tuition, but hastenld to their object inyio
latiOn Of that constitution; that, having,
with the connivance, at least, Of the clerk
ofthe board Cfrnanagers, made an election
which was void on its face. they at once,
with only this mockery Of right, arroga-
tee. to themselves title beyond dispute,
and denied to this board the right Of even
inspecting the books and papers which
were the result of their own labors: that
this board, though satisfied, on careful ia-
quiry, that the election Of the 22d of Feb
ruary was nullity, and that they them
selves were the constitutional managers
of the society, yet repressing their Just
indignation, ard anxious that the sacred
trust IN their charge should not become .
subject of strife, proposed ali anicable
suit for obtaining judicial decision on
the conflicting claims; that the adver-
Sary party rejected this reasonable offer,
thus refusing in country of laws, that
the law should determine the controversy;
that, by the aid of another faithless SUBJ
ordinate in the service of this board,
they obtained the keys of buildings on
The monument grounds; that after the
doors had been locked by the superin-
tendent, they got possession Of the bull
d'ngs by breaking open the locks; and
that this possession is still maintained.
This board would certainly not question
1t, If considerations merely personal
could be q rule for their conduct. From
q trust which has been long, toilSome,
gratuitouS, and often inconveniert, they
are willing to be relieved. But they are
not willing to desert it. The acceptance
Of that trust was pledge on their part
to be faithful to it; and this pledge would
DC broken by voluntary surrender Of
their authority to persons whom they be-
iieve TO be usurpers. Few imaginable
circumstances could justify such a sub.
mission. In the present case it would
DC left without excuse by the proclaimed
hostility Of the usurpers To the principles
xra.a oh ho ,,zf al II Loo
hitherto been administered. Their reiec-
ton Of the proposal for an smicable suit
obliged this board to seek other means
for obtaining judicial decision of the
controversy. By that decision. when
given, this board will che,rfully abide.
To this statement are appended the
clause Of the constitution on the subject
of elections, and the report Of Mr.. Dough-
erty, the superintendent.
Published by order of the Board:
JOHN CARROLL BRENT, Sec'y.
List oJ Managers Of ths Washington Ma
ttOngf hoHnnlsnt S0c;sfy
FRANKLIN PIKRcg, President of the
United States, eI oficio President Of the
society.
ARCHIBALD HENDERSON, First Vice Pre-
sident
~JcHN T. TowERs, Mayor OF Wash
ington, er o6iciO Second Vice President.
THOMAS UARBERY, Third Vice Presid't.
II. B. Ii. SMITH, Treasurer.
fJoHN ARRoLL BRENT, Secretary.
Peter Force, William W. Seatou, Will
liam A. Bradley, Philip r Fendall. Win
field Scott, Walter Jones, Walter LenoX,
Thomas Blagden, MathewF Msury, Ben
jamin Ogle Tayloe, Thomas ii Crawford.
William w. Corcoran, Elisha Whittlesey,
General Agent.
sin place OF John W Maury, deceased,
Mayor, DO, and sz o6io,o, DO.
t In place of Samuel Harrison Smith, decd.
In place Of George WatterstOn, deceased.
APPENDIX
The second article Of the constitution
is in the following words:
1.-The society shall consist of all adult
male contributors. The officers of the
society shall be president, who may be
selected from the United States, without
regard TO residence. three vice presidents,
a treasurer, and secretary, who, with
thirteen members to be chosen as herein
after mentioned, shall constitute board
of managers, all of whom shall be resi-
dents of the District Of Columbia, and
who, with the president, shall be trien-
nially elected by ballot by the members
of the society present at its anniversary
meeting on the 22d day o! February, 1885,
and on the same day in every third year
thereafter. The existing officers shall
hold their places until the 22d day Of
February, 1885; and all officers shall
continue in Office until others shall be
elected. All vacancies that may occur
in the board of managers shall be sup
piled by the board until the next ensu-
ing triennial election"
The fourth article is as follows:
1.-THE society shall meet on the 22d of
February of every year" -a