Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-05-09

The following statement of the complaints in
regard to the management of the Mount
Vernon estate we find in the Washington
Chronicle:
SIN answer to numerous letters received con-
corning the Mount Vernon ladies association of
the Union, let us answer, there is mo redress
for the "women of the republic" except in the
scOrching rebuke of public opinion The second
charter lobbied through the Virginia assembly
TO all intents and purposes gave Miss Pamela
Cunningham for life the bones of the father of
his country, and so far as ineompetency can
secure desired end, she has, as we think turned
| this noble trust into private speculation. Hav-
| ing brought this important matter before the
| people, we have waited in vain for this woman
| TO invite that investigation which innocence
| might nobly claim; but the same naughty silence
| guards the secrets of Mount Vernon, whilst
| anonymous communications seek to whitewash
| the disgrace.
Miss Cunningham stated in her card to the
| Chronicle that the last council met a year AGO
last June, which substantateS the ssertiOn that
this woman's parliament assemblies, not accord
ing TO the charter, yearly, but when the dictator
issues the call. The same card says, the "regent
serves without salary" We ask whether the
council that relieved Mr.. Upton Herbert who oc-
cupied the position of official superintendent
under the first charter did not vote the regent
his salary when she declared herself able and
willing to perform his work? What is the diff
ference between money voted 10 cOUer expenses
and the same filthy stuff called by another name
Yet the superintendent wages were extra, in
addition TO that already voted TO "meet the eX-
penses" Of taking care of the tomb of the i'm
| mortal Washington.
In the name of the rightfu owners of Mount
| Vernon, we ask what has become of that $4,000
which the legislature of Missouri voted the asso-
| citation, which was drawn by an agent of Miss
| Pamela Cunningham's, and which, alas alas
| has never been heard of since its mysterious
| disappearance? And where is that $4,000 of the
| peoples money which Slipped through the MIN
bile fingers of the DeyerauX publishing house Of
| Philadelphia, not many years ago? And why
was the Hon. Benz +. Butler of Massachusetts
allowed by stroke OF satire to be the means o
saving Mount Vernon for its present ignob
purpose, as the following anecdote of publ
women will prove:
When the few active agents of this assoca
ton were irving 10 get their last appropriation
from congress the Hon. Benjamin +. Butler wa
visited and requested 10 give the matter hi
vote. During the interview the willy lawye
said:
you want some money to mend up Noun
| VernonP
YES" answered the fair lady
care you certain that you women own tn
property?
"To be sure! We paid 100000 for it. 0
course it belongs to u.s."
That is no proof, but you will probably &c
| something"
That same evening little party sat around
| lea table in the dining room of the hallowed
mansion Of the father Of his country. The party
| consisted of an aged professor of learning and
| ms venerable wife, from South Carolina, MIR
| Upton Herbert, the official superintendent and
a few others. A young lady was relating hei
| congressional experiences of the day Amouo
the rest, she says: "Don't you think that olC
Skeptical Ben. Butler asked me if the ladies
| owned Mount Vernon. Did you ever hear any.
thing like thatY
THAT was very grave question:" said thu
professor.
"And very much to the point" answered Mr.
Upton Herbert.
''What do you mean ?" asked the little woman
now thoroughly aroused.
81 mean just what said" replied Mr.. Upton
Herbert. There is not Il scrap of paper upon
the face of the earth to prove the title Of the
ladies' Mount Vernon association of the Union ,
Let it be remembered that this was years altei
the 100000 had been paid; also after John A
Washington and his wife were both sleeping in
their graves. The woman trembled like a shin
in cyclone. Suppose John A. Washngton's
children refuse 10 recognize their fathers de
cision, and Mount Vernon should be thrown
into the clutches of the law2 A thousand
thoughts kept the little woman wide awake
during the long hours Of the night. The next
morning the lady was admitted TO the chamber
| Of the regent. Miss Cunningham said she was
| very sorry that little matter had not been at
| tended 70 before, hut she was really too in 10
burden her mind with il. But there would be
no trouble, for the Washingtons were an honor.
oCte family, and it only needed some one 10
Iaee mold and push the matter through. This
n nus uite, hef SIX years sOOurn in South Caro-.
ma, ana after the war
70 ume was lost before this active woman
ild the matter before what she considered liz
hl@heat judicial mind in the countrv In the NOR
sou oil Hon. Caleb Gushing liz a,drisnd H.,
~ pest legai talent should be employed M once
~ ~ order 10 Keep the scandal away from The
i" ashihguol people, lawyer, sworn 10 secrocv
~ Alexandria by the name OF Taylor. was ~,
pl0yed 10 do the work, under tie direc,ion ",
Mr.. Cushing. There were two WAYS ont ~ ~
difficulty. IL was best 10 try first 10 oef the ~
natures OF the heirs falling in this the matte,
was 10 be brought before the court In Fairras
county, and confirmed IN open session viii III,
proof of the bargain as well as the paving Owe
Of the money, and the title then was 10 Be con
6rmed in open session. This might and mioh
not involve a long time, aud the expenditure o
large sums Of money. The two or three nobl
women who had this matter in hand, aud VIII
were ashamed TO open their lips because the
had trusted the incompetent regent withOu
ever daring 10 cross the barrier Of her COLI
selfish reserve, felt that the time of action ha
come Mr.. Herbert Upton was called into hi
informal council, and it was decided, as he wa
an old friend and nelghbor of John A, Wasl
ingloD, aud well acquainted with the daughter
Vi tue family, that II was best that he should e