Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-18
The Washington Monument.

IL is gratifying to know that after the lapse of
more than quarter of a century, during which
time the monument society have tried many
expedients designed to secure the completion OF
that structure, that they have at length hit
upon plan, simple and comprehensive, having
in its formation all the elements OF success.
This is no less than contingent subscription
which pledges subscribers TO nothing until
sufficient amount has been subscribed to COM
plete the work, when one half the amount is to
be called for, and on its receipt the work IL 10
be begun, the remaining half of the subscup-
ton 10 he paid in two equal installments, at
periods of six and twelve months, provided
there shall be no suspension Of the work when
once begun until the capstone IL placed on the
oeelisk. 1t is proposed again to appeal 70 the
gratitude of the people OF the Republic, TO all
the associations, bodies, lodges and business
corporations for these contingent subscriptions,
and IL must be confessed tn at the form of SUBJ
scription looks something like business. Under
IL 10 dema nd tor money can be made until the
five hundred thousand collars necessary TO COM
plete the worS have been pledged. This amount
once assured from responsible sources, there
remains no possible obstacle 10 the success OF
the project.
Tie Monument Society are strongly i'm
pressed with the BELIEF that this last plan, 80
guarded in its terms, and 50 npe in its details,
is the most practicable OF all the schemes yet
presented for completing the work. They are de-
termined 10 have that stone placed on the
top OF ass feet of obelisk in the next $40 days,
and to dedicate the completed structure on the
18th day of October, 1876. To the people of the
District OF Columbia, SO liberal in all projects
tending TO besutify and adorn the national capt.
tai, the first direct appeal will be made, and in
proportion as our societies and secret bodies
pledge subscriptions, will the measure of sue
cess all over the country be determined. The
society feel assured that this last appeal will
meet hearty response from the patriotic peo-
pie OF the District, who are the more directly in
terested in having our national dishonor speedily
obliterated. A good "send Oft" from Washing
ton will inspire confidence and assure success
in all the cities of the country. Let the contin-
gent subscriptions, then, be generous, and,
moreover, let them be made without delay,
As an evidence of the undeubted success OF
this plan, We state that although il was only
determined upon yesterday afternoon, the mat
ter was simply suggested in Washington Tent,
No. 80, Independent Order of Rechabites, last
night, and this morning the secretary OF the
Washington National Monument Society re-
ceived a communication OF which the following
lie a copy:
| WASHINGTON TENT, No. So,
INDBPEEDEET ORDER OF RECHABITEs,
WASHINGTON, July IL, 1874
j. Carroll Brent, Esq, Secretary Wdshinct0n
National Monument Society.
DEAR SIR: l am directed TO inform you that
Washington Tent, No. SO, Independent Order of
Recbabtes, have this evening appropriated
twenty five dollars towards the completion of
the Washington national monument, which
amount will be paid in accordance with the
terms OF subscription, viz: On being advised
that a sufficient amount has been subscribed to
complete the work, then one-half OF above TO
be paid, and the balance in two equal pay
ments of six and twelve months from date Of
first / am, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, DAVID MAY, Recording Sec'y.