Daily American organ., 1856-03-03


in withholding from their SUCCESSORS all the infor-
nation IN their power, and also in peremptorily
denying their right TO interpose in the conduct or
administration of this enterprise.
This difference has to great extent, as is be-
lieved ON very sufficient facts which have come to
the knowledge of the Managers, eftectualy en-
barrassed the progress OF the work, and caused
whole years delay in that structure TO which We
all turn a monument of nations gratitude.
Its immediate effects on the action of the Mana
gers have been that to this day they have been
unable to discover what agents are at work, or
have been authorized by our predecessors to work |
in the collection of funds but agents appointed
by US in almost every section of tie Union have |
been informed Of the action Of other persons pro-
Tossing to be agents, and IL they were 30 it not
with the knowledge or sanction OF this Board. The
effect however, has been embarrassing in the ex- |
treme. Add to this that the treasurer's books and
papers have been retained by him and not submit |
ted to our inspection, and it will at once be seen
with how much difficulty we have been obliged TO
contend. Nor have we been able to learn what
contracts If any, for material or labor made by
ourpredecessors, existed at the time OF our elec
ton and all the information we could get on that
subject has been from hearsay. Nor have we to
this day been advised OF the means in their hands
for carrying on the work the extent Of their liza
| bilities. We have had presented to Gs For nquida
ton and payment claims for materials and for work
Il
tract with or by the authority Of the late Board
amounting TO upwards of $4,000; and we have
| endeaVored to ascertain whether they are just
| claims or not. We have been unable to find any
contract even for marble or blue-stone, on which
alone there is claimed to be due about "a, 900, and
we have therefore been obliged to defer recogni-
ton or liquidation of these claims until we can OBJ
tain some information from that Board or its off,
| GERS.
| As 70 the means on hand when we were elected
| We can only say, so far as we have been able to
discover, the treasury was bankrupt.
| On examining the condition OF affairs at the
monument grounds we found the tool implements
and machinery in very imperfect state, and the
material on hand insufficient for even two courses
of marble. There was marble enough, but the
blue-stone was insufficient in quantity and defect
i've in quality, it having been already thoroughly
cuiled.
To put the machinery in working order, and to
procure the necessary implements, we were put to
an expense of not less than 81 900. The marble
had been carried up nearly two full courses higher
than the bMeAstone of the interior, and some of
the blae-stone work was defective that it had to
be taken out, 30 that the inner chamber of the
monument was nearly four feet lower than the ex-
terror.
The next matter to which the attention Of the
Board was directed was the means OF obtaining
funds. Their predecessors had after years. OF
to accomplish the work, and had applied to Con-
gress for nid 1t was thought that through the
instrumentality of the American party, and with
very tlihing expenditure and the excitement of
rivalry among those opposed to L. results might
be hoped for which could not be expected from
the spirit Of patriotism. The Board accordingly
adopted plan looking to an assessment Of some
small amount on each member Of that party while
agents outside of the party should be actively en-
gagged in canSsssifg the whole country and bring
ing TO every man an opportunity to contribute
This scheme was in part begun but before it had
got fairly into operation the unfortunate publica-
ton by the old Board assailing us, and expressing
their views Of their and our relative rights defeat.
ed the workings of this scheme, and the subscrip-
tions which had already been made in many coun.
ellis OF the party are withheld.
From these and like causes the work on the
Monument was unavoidaby delayed until the au-
tumn, when il was decided that it should at least
be attempted. Accordingly preparations were
begun on the lst of September ast' and the work
steadily prosecuted 80 long As the weather permit
ted.
In prosecuting it we have been put to much
greater expense than would have been required #
the material and machinery had been such and in
such condition as they ought TO have BEEN But
with these disadvantages, 80 far as we have been
able to form an opinion from the books and papers
| in the Office we believe the expenditure has been
and the work will not suffer in comparison with
the best that has heretofore been done. The mar
bic work has been carried up two full courses the
blue-stone nearly four courses the interior face
The engine has been put in complete working or.
der; new falls for hosting the stone have been
procured at heavy expense. The stone at the
wharf on the canal; which has been allowed to ac-
cumulate in the water 80 as greatly to obstruct the
landing OF stone, has been cleared away; the mon
ument has been covered in with substantial
frame roof, constructed in pannels SO that il can
be taken to pieces and laid aside without injury
and everything ready for the resumption of work
in the spring. if funds can be provided In regard
to the last we feel no confidence
The country cannot be reused to lberality. nor
even to gratitude; and the agents who have been
appointed have many of them returned to us dis
appointed and despairing, and deeply wounded by
insult heapsd upon them. The scheme with which
we entered upon the work has been broken by the
mistaken action of our predecessors and it will be
difficult, indeed, if not in vain, to renew It. The
tide had ebbed before our election but we are not
responsible for the difficulties interposed by Others
which precluded us from taking it at its food.
We can only deplore it, and by renewed and ear
nest effort endeavor to remedy the evil which has
already been done, to awaken the public feeling
rather than 60 to Congress for legislative aid
The receipts Of the year have been far less than
IN any preceding year since the cornerstone was
laid. The gross amount from all sources has been
but $7,740 We have now $25 in the treasury,
and are in all responsible for not exceeding $50 of
debts contracted by us all of which is expected to
be liquidated and paid by the end of this month
Additional accounts of the receipts and expendi-
lures are prepared and ready for inspection.
All which is respectfully submitted.
V. ELLIS, First v. P.
@. TUCKER, Secretary.
DR.. Storrow offered the following preamble and
resolution which was unanimously adopted:
Whereas at the annual meeting of this Society