The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-07-13
Terms $500 per AMMAN, Sn oaya,,ce.
Mount Vernon Ladies' a -sScinfion of the
Union.

In response to call from the Regent a cen-
eral council Of this Association was held at
Diount Vernon, commencing on the 21st Of
1une' 1910, continuing its session for several
u'SS' Eleven Vice-Regents were in attend
@n', representing, in fair proportion, the
Noi'nefn' southern, Eastern and Western
n'''eS ol 'he Union. The Regent, now resid-
n6 "' iount vernon, presided over the de-
npe'"'iohS' "hlch were characterised by en-
TIRE unanimity and hearty cooperation in en-
deavors to advance the best interests OF the
| Association.
Inc following statement embodies, in the
prieiest possible form, the.reports submitted to
Tue council AMI the resolutions adopted by it.
Ihroush general circulation Of this statement
tlS intended tha: the public shall be made
aware OF the condition, labors and public pros
poets of the Association, and it is hoped that
knowledge of these will awaken fresh interest
in the work of still farther restoring, protect
ing and identifying the Home and Burial
| place of Washington. Now that the agltations
of the past years are over, the officers of the
Association feel that it is not Inappropriate to
bring again to notice this organization, by
which they represent the Women of the
/, Union.
| lt is an Organization that by surviving all
the psrls and disocations of great civil war
has established its claims to position among
those national objects upon which may meet,
tremendously and healthfully, the combined
efforts and sympathies of the whole country.
The only source of revenue for Mount Yer
non depends upon the steamer which brings
visitors to the place. During three years of
| The war it was considered uasafe to allow the
boat to pass up and down the river and the
Secretary of War in removing the boa de-
prived the Association of its income. A very
moderate claim for damages, amounting to
] two-thrds of the real loss, was laid before
| Congress, and after considerable delay the sum
| of $1,000 was allowed to Mount Vernon ON con-
dition that it should be expended in repairs
| under the supervision OF an agent appointed
| by the government This has been done and
| the progress of decay which was rapidly de-
stroying the place, has been arrested. The
steamer was replaced as soon as possible. and
Immediately after the war, when Washington
was thronged with people brought there by
pressure OF circumstances, a large number
| found their way to Mount Vernon and the
| revenue from the boat assumed respectable
proportions; but it has gradually fallen off and
| in ordinary circumstances cannot be regarded
| as sufficient. The steamer is under the con.
| troll of Mr.. Sykes, of Willard's hotel, Washing
ton, to whose courtesy and kindness tho Asso-
| citation is constantly Indebted for many favors
The contract between him and .the Associa-
| tion which grants him exclusive control of the
| right to land passengers, was at this meeting
of the council renewed for three years. per
centage upon each visitor is paid into the treas.
| ury and a considerable amount collected
| through sales upon the place of photographs,
| flowers, fruit, canes, &c., all which sources of
| revenue are developed as much as possible.
Every effort has been made to put the place
into presentable condition, so that those who
make pilgrimage to the spot are no longer
shocked by the CHASTITY traces Of neglect and
dilapidation. The Association, while Justly
proud Of what it has accomplished in this way.
l is obliged to confess that what it has done to
| crafty a national pride has drawn so heavily
| upon its means that certain other repairs and
| improvements, equally necessary, though not
l equally conspicuous, remain untouched, and it
| is in behalf of these that something must now
! be attempted. 1t is earnestly hoped that these
| needs will be understood and helpfully recog-
| nized by the people for whom the property is
| held in trust, and to whom its preservation
/ should be matter of deep interest First in
Importance among these claims must be reck-
oned an adequate protection against fire.
there being none whatever at the present
time,-and thorough system of drainage for
the cellars of the mansion and other build
ings-their present condition being an unfail-
| ing source .of malaria and fever and ague to
those who have charge of the place. For these
Il iOlr,rp re Inv ha oil
| to this venerable homestead the same protec-
l lection that is accorded to the humblest dwell
| ings in our cities, the members of the Council
| unite in making most earnest appeal to the
country. y small sum from each individual
| to whom these reasonable wants are made
known, will swell in the aggregate, to q sum
| amply sufficient. In the more distant future
it is hoped that permanent fund may To
formed, from which steady income shall be
derived. Also it is within the plans of the
Board of Vice-Regents to bring under culti-
| walton larger portions of the land, now lying
| waste for want of means to clear and fertilize
| In fact, nothing has been left unthought of,
which, while securing the interests of Mount
Vernon itself, shall tend also to diminish the
necessity for asking aid of the public.
The Regent OF the Association whose name
has been identified with it from the hour of its
birth, whose time and strength and fortune
have been inilarge measure devoted to its ser
vice, crowned these sacrifices by consenting
to reside upon the spot, undeterred by its lone
| hness and unhealthineSs. By her personal
| supervision, close economy and wise precau-
| teus, she has brought the Association out of
debt, and preserved cordial sympathy of ac-
ton among the Vice-Regents, which is invalu-
able in snch an affiliation. it is not too much
to say that the selfdenyipg enthusiasm which
Miss Cunningham has brought to her task is
absolutely without a.parallel; aud the whole
country should know that, during all these
years, and through all these personal sacrifices,
this unselfish and high-minded lady has never
accepted one dollar of remuneration, and new
attends to all the added duties of her position
without salary, compensated only by the
measure of her success in administration, and
the grateful recognition of those who know
how inestimable have been her services.
The Secretary also resides upon the estate
adding to the stricter duties of her office, those
OF housekeeper. Her salary which was $4O0
last year, was this year increased to $780, This
was deemed only proper recognition of her
fidelity to her trust. The head gardener, q
Scotchman, is admirably qualified for the posi-
| tion he holds. To his other responsibilities Is
added that of attending to the visitors upon
the grounds, and protecting the property from
| injury. Several farm hands are employed;
| there are wagons and an ambulance, for which
two mules are kept; there is greenhouse.
| which becomes more and moro profitable; and
| although the establishment is on a modest foot
ing for an estate of 200 acres, it necessarily in
| wolves the employment of several people and
the outlay of considerable sums. If the re-
| ceipts from the boat are reduced below their
| present amount, it will be impossible to keep
the place in order without aid. Rigid economy
J is meanwhile practised, and the public may
| rest assured that only under pressure of abse-
Lutte necessity will an aims be asked.
| The Association has from time to time re-
| ceved evidences of interest from different per-
sons, which it takes great pleasure in acknowl-
| edging. Foremost among these stand many
| recent gifts from friends in New Jersey, which
State, stimulated by the energy and enthusi-
tasn of its Vice-Regent, has forwarded furni-
| ture, carpets and antiquities to the value of
| nearly two thousand dollars To these timely
| gifts is owing much of the cheerful appearance
| of the interior, once SO desoate and forlorn.