National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-02-21
WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
TIE STRUCTURE TO De COMPLETED

ciniion--A Practical Proposition To be
Submitted TO ConRrcsz-O Opinion Of m
Engineer an to the Durability er the
Fouudation-W What CItizens aud stran-
gers Think Of the Project.
"A was stated 10 these columns few days ago,
some time since, on motion Of Hon. N p. Chip
man, a select committee Of thirteen was ap-
pointed hy Congress to consult a. TO the practl-
cablllty Of completing the Washington NOM.
meni, and directed 10 report by bin or otherwise,
said report being made the special order for
SATURDAY, February "a, at 2 O'Clock. In order
that the subject might be thoroughly under
stood, Gen. Chapman, chairman Of the commit
tee, called q meeting last night at his residence
and Invited the members Of the National Monu-
ment Association to he present.
In response to the Invitation there assembled
10 his parlor the following gentlemen q the
Maynard, TENN Walter Sessions, n. Y; Clinton
!, Goth, n. O.; John Critcher, Val 3 :. Burdett,
No; John mn, n. " Charles A. sIdridSe, via;
inc ASSOCIATION was represented by Gov. II.
p. Cooke, Gen. W, 4. sherman, A, u. shepherd.
=. Carroll Brent, W r. Todd, De, ]. @ Hall, J. Q.
Nichols. COL Same and =. L. Marshall, United
states engineer corps, were also present.
THE OBJECT OF THE NETTING.
The meeting was called to order by Gen. Chlp-
nan. who, after brieny recltlnR the facts 10 re.
lAtnn 10 the subject, said they had assembled
for the purpose, u possible, Of determining some
mode by which the monument could be CON.
pleted. Asa necessary prelude he had called
upon Gen. Babcock and requested that some
gentleman Of the engineer corps be detailed 10
examine Into the durability Of the structure and
the strength Of the earth and stone foundations,
as well as to make any suggestions In regard "a
tue completlon OF the work As he may see ht. Ia
response to the request Gen. Babcock had de.
tailed Lieut.. Marshall, who was present.
The Lieutenant then, by request Of the com
mlttec, stated that he had made
AsrfERF1cIAL psPFcrIoS
OF the base, aud hal concluded that II was amply
sntiicicnt for the weight proposed In the originS
design. lie also stated that, In hls opinion, tho
proposed pantheon could be dispensed with, and
In ~ stead mound OF earth erected, with elthel
concrete or paved surface, the cost Of which
he gave. some other facts In connection with
the subject were also stated. Colonel Same wa
entirely with Mr.. Marshall that the base WA
practlcally level, there not being q difference o.
half M Inch In the four corners.
Mr.. J. c. BnENT,
secretary Of the association, was then calle,l on
and stated that since 1873 nothing had been don,
on the work. AZ that time the money had giyer
ont ani ne s ,s had gone TO Congress
lectlons had failed, and asked Of them an appro
priatlOn. 1hls was not complied with, and sinc,
then no attempt had been made TO secure cOllec
tons or go on with the work. This was prlncl
paly owing 70 the Intervention OF the war
Genernl Ghlpman asked the cause OF the sud
den suspension, and, In reply, Mr. Brent sal
that NJ that time the American or Know NothinI
party was In bloom, and It had by a series 0
illegal actions taken charge Of the monumen
and elected the members OF the legal associa
ton, But aiter they had got control they founi
they could do nothing, and In ls59 had given
IN and returned the entire affair TO the assorla
ton. which then took the precautlon to he incOi
a., .hlpman then asked n the commtte
concluded 10 recommend TO Congress an annua
APPROXIMATION Tor the completion OF the struc
tnrs nnher the control OF Government officials
ABOLITION or TIE SOCIETY,
whether u would he satisfactory to the gentle
Mr.. Brent said that he could not speak for tn
society; but for himself he would say that /
would be more In Keeping with the original ida
70 leave the building In the hands Of the associa
llon anh request the Government to become a
indirect contributor In such sum as Congress
saw NJ 10 give. lie wished the monument com
n,eted, and 4 u could not be done except b
placing u 10 tue hands OF Congress he would no
object; but he would much prefer that IL be don
Or. J. .. Blake said that a, far As he was con
cTned, and be knew he rejected the sentiment
o numher OF gentlemen, he wished that Con
Rrees would take entire charge OF the buildlnI
aud complete u. The society hSd resorted to a
aud having failed they would cheerfuily sur
render the charge TO Congress.
uen. Chapman said that the project had
ORIGINATED IN CONGRESS-
and while he was not in favor Of abolLshInR IN
committee, he did not see the Improperly Of Il
neing sent back. u was true thai II the apprt
prlation suggested was made 10 would give
fresh Impetus to the project, and In hts onlnlo
there was not respectable theatre, lecturer o
mnslcni association IN the country which wOul
not willingly give benefit to aid the society.
MI. kllrllge said when he 1rst came TO tn
city he had looked at the unfinished half an
had made up his mind that II was q burning dil
grace that y was SO, and had never changed hi
gllnn' lie had no fault to IND with Individual
for THIS state Of affairs, but he did and fault viii
the American people. They had talked abou
the past long enough. The fact that It was uu
finished stared them In the face, and no Amer
ran could look upon II without a feeling OF humi
iauon, II not Of degradation. The America
party, or Know Nothing, could not build II, an
what he wanted was TO do away with all thes
theories aud have some plain, practical s,Vge,
lions as 10 how II could he completed, IL WAS a
well enough to tax about Congress making a
Q cure II was for some OF the wealthy men 10 gr
,J-cther AMI make a subscription, thus shown
they were In earnest
GEN. ". T. SHERMAN
said that he was an oricer Of the association An
was HlIIIng 10 give II any time aud attentlo
needed, but did not think that such . Societ
could build u. He was In favor OF turning
over 70 congress and let them make an appru
pnhtion, thus charging II to the whole nation
u Congress made an appropriation they cou
place II 70 charge OF lieutenant Of engineers
and he would guarantee that before toe centen
NAL u wonid be completed. The foundation wa
amply sufficient for all the stone they could pil
upon u, YET he thought II should be remodeied
fbefr was no shaft In the world Of such height
not even the pyramlds and Ii would I've ampl
high AZ, say as feet; then they could but Mac
The cononade or mound at the base, and thu
enmnlete monument Of which all would b
proud.
said he did NOT see tue necessity of supafse,IIn
the faithful and honest association. Let IN
rOnimlttee 90 TO Congress and ask for an apprG
pTiAtioR OF sBy $500, OO0 and the detail Of q CON
petent engineer. Then let them go to the Ieopl