Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-02-21
THE WASHINGTON MOVEMENT.
Shall ID be COmulefeAf


motion of Gen Chapman, appointed a select
committee Of thirteen 10 consult rs to the prae-
tioability of completing the Washington monu-
ment, and TO report by bill or otherwise, said
report being made the, special order for Safur-
day. February p, at O'Clock Gen. Chapman,
chairman OF the committee, called a meeting
last night at his residence, and invited the me IN
bers Of the National monument association to
he present. There were present of the COM
mittee, besides Gen. Chapman, Representatives
Y; Clinton L. Cobb, n. C.; John Critcher. Va:
:. =. Burdett. Mo-; John Hin, n. j.; Charles
A. Eldridge, Wis; Stevenson Archer Nd. The
Washington monument association was repre-
-ented by Gov. III. ID. Cooke. Gen. W. L. Sher-
man, a. X. Shepherd, y. Carroll Brent. w. B.
Todd, DIR. j. &. Hall, j. q. Berrett, DIR. Melon
aid, t. h. Blake, and DIR. g. II. Nichols. Col.
Same And F. l.. Marshall, United States engi-
neer corps, were also present.
The meeting was called to order by Gen. Chip
man, who, after briefly reciting the facts I'm
relation TO the subject, said they had assembled
some mode by which the monument could be
completed. As a necessary prelude he had called
uron Gen. Babcock and requested that some
gentleman OF TIE engineer corps be detailed to
examine into
THE DURABILITY OF THE STRUCTURE
and the strength Of the earth and stone founda-
tons. as well a TO make any suggestions in
regard to the completion OF the work as he nav
see lit. In response to the request Gen. Bah
cock had detailed Lieut.. Marshall, who was
present
The Lieutenant then, by request of the com
mittee, stated that he had made a superficial
inspection of the base, and had concluded that
il was amply sufficient for the weight proposed
in the original design. He also stated that i'm
his opinion, the proposed pantheon could be
dispensed with, and in its stead a mound of
earth erected, with either concrete or paved
surface, the cost OF which he gave. Some other
facts in connection with the subject were also
stated. Colonel Same was called upon for his
views; and said that he agreed entirely with
there not being a difference OF half an inch in
the four corners
Mr.. j. G. Brent, secretary of the association
was then called on, and stated that
SINCE 1855 NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE
on the work. At that time the money hal
gwen out, and the association had gone to Con-
gress and stated to them that the entire system
Of collections had failed, and asked of them
an appropriation. This was not complied with,
and since then no attempt had been made to
cure collections or go on with the work. This
was principally owing to the intervention of the
war
Gen. Chapman asked the cause of the sudden
suspension, and in reply Mr.. Brent said that at
that time the American
KN0w-NOTHING PARTY WAS IN BLOOM,
and il had by a series of Illegal actions taken
charge of the monument and elected the mem
bers of the legal association. But after they had
got control they found they could do nothing,
and in 1859 had given it up and returned the
entire affair to the association, which then took
the preCautiOn TO be Incorporated.
concluded to recommend to Congress an annual
appropriation for the completion of the struc-
tuIe under the control of government officials,
and the abolition Of the society, whether it
would be satisfactory to the gentlemen OF the
association.
Mr.. Brent said that he could not speak for the
society; but for himself he would say that it
would be more in keeping with the original idea
to leave the building in the hands of the associ-
alton, and IeQuestthe government to become
Indirect contributor in such sums as Congress
No h.
pleted. and il it could not be done except by
placing il in the hands of Congress he would not
object but he would much prefer thatit be done
by the society.
DR.. j. Il. Blake said that as far as he was COLI
cerned, and he knew he reflected the entiments
OF a number or gentlemen, he wished that Con-
gress would take entire charge of the building
aud complete 1t. The society hal resOrted To
all conceivable means to raise the necessary
funds, and having failed they would
CHEEEFULLY SURRENDER THE CHARGE TO
CONGRESS.
Gen. Chapman said that the project had oriei-
mated i'm Congress, and while he was not in avor
OF abOlishing the committee, he did not see the
improperly of its being sent back. 1t was true
that If the appropriation suggested was made il
would give fresh impetus to the project, and
in lis opinion there was not respectable the
ater lecturer or musical association in the couli-
try which would not willingly give benefit to
aid the society.
Mr.. Eldridge said when he inst came to the
cit, he had looked at the unfinished shaft, and
grace that It was 20, and had never changed his
mind. lie had no fault 20 find with individuals
for this state Of affairs, but he did find fault with
the American people. They had talked about
the past long enough. The fact that il was un-
finished stared them in the face, and no Ameri-
can could look upon it without feeling OF hu-
il not of degradation. The American
party, o. know nothing, could not build il, and
what he wanted was to do AWAY with all these
theories and have
SOME PLAIN, PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
.nOugh to talk about Congress making an APP
DrOpriatiOn, but he thought the best way TO
ecuTe il was for some of the wealthy men to get
ogether and make a subscription, thus showing
hey were earnest.
GEN. W. t. SHERMAN
aid that he was an officer OF the association and
wiling to give il any time and attention
leeded, but did not think that such society
ould build it, He was
Favor OF TrRNING 1T OVER TO CONGRESS
md let them make appropriation, thus charging
{ 60 the whole nation. III Congress made an |
they could place it in charge OF a |
lieutenant OF engineers, and he would guaran-
ee at before the centennial ii would be compile
ed. The foundation was amply sufficient for
III the stone they could pile upon it, vet be
bought IL should Ice remOdeled. There was no I
hait in the world of such height, not even the |
yTamfis, and IT would be amply high at, saw |
p feet; then they could but place the collonaaie
2 mound at the base. and I'll US complete
MONUMENT or WHICH ALL WOULD BE PROUD.
Hon. HGfsre Maynard said he did not see the !
sce-eity OF super2eeciing tue 1ni "a, aid hon
Il association. Let the committee 20 to Con- I
ress ami ask for AN appropriation OF say
30 900, anu the detail OF competent engi- /
eer. Then let them 60 to the people and make /
n appeal. which would be answered, and the L
uilding completed. Inregard to the reduction
n height, he said that when he was a Young I
nan he had read the history OF all the commem,
Tative buildings in the world-their dimen-
ions, &c.-and he must confess that II was
ith feeling Of pride and satisfaction that
9 yead that the Washington monument was to /
G -
THE HIGHEST or THEM ALL.
Mr.. Mcdonald then presented the draft OF a
iii asking that Congress make an appropriation
/ S20S Zoo, to be eSPend d on the mOnum ent I
nder tue direction of the President.
Ge.srl Sherman suggested that the bin be
lcdihed, and the engineer department. be di-
ected to take charge, with an annual appropri-
on.
Mr. Cobb moved that subcommittee of three |
e directed to prepare bill, to be presented to |
congress OH the 22d OF February. asking an ap-
Mr.. Sessions said that he favored the motion,
nj knew that il would meet with a hearty re-
ponse from every citizen in the state of New /
ork, Tor wherever he had went the universal
pinion was that il should be completed, and il L
his appropriation was made, individual sub
criptiOns would follow promptly, as all the peo-
le wanted was knowledge that the work
gould be done.
Mr. Eidridge male few remarks, insisting |
Oh "a, shaulI first he n