National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-23
Mount Vernon,

Captain Frank HolIingshead, Of the steamer
Arrow, has returned from his visit to Richmond,
where he, in company with Mrs. Washington, the
vice regent from West Virginia, has been looking
AFTER the interests Of the association in defeating
a bill introduced in the Legislature to IN AXE the
wharf open TO all vessels. They were armed
with the opinions Of Hon. Reverdy johnson and
eK-GoV. II. H. Wells, as to the right Of the asso-
citation as chartered body, and succeeded in
convincing the committee having charge Of the
bill that the best interests of all concerned, In
subserTed by pernitting the ladies to continue
In force the rules enacted by them for the govern
msnt Of. o. visitors: The Arrow sim makes her
party OF ladies and gentlemen.
CARD PROM THE LADIES.
The following card from the Ladies' Mount
Vernon Association is taken from the Richmond
Inquirer Of yesterday:
The editorial notice in your paper of the 18Th
instant, on the mount Vernon Monopoly" ex-
revolts at anything like speculation upon the
nations love for her earliest and noblest son.
More than that, our Virginia pride may we'll be
deeply wounded to think that money and not
devotion should open to our reVerential gaze the
place where rests all that remains of our patriot
father. Why is this? Is there no help for it?
The suggestion that the Legislature of Virginia
should interfere and remove all hindrances out
Of the way would meet with q general approval
but Tor the fact which wish now to state. The
control Of the State Is through the charter given
by its General Assembly TO the Ladies' Mount
Vernon Association. At the immense cost Of
$4,000 they have secured the right to this prop
erty. which they hold as 3 sacred trust for the
whole country. The purchase money consumed
all their funds, and the ladies must now have
some sure and certain revenue TO meet cur
rent expenses. And this can only be GER
tainly secured from the charges derived
from the steamer Arrow for landing persons at
their own wharf. And this is the MONOPOLY The
place must be Rept In order, and must be aceessi-
ble and the only limit or restriction to the is
that which lie Imposed by the other. The friends
OF the Association recognize this wharfage fee as
NECESSITY for the present The efforts now be-
ing made In all the States, in this by our earn
est and worthy yice-regent, contemplate the rails
ing OF an endowment fund at some early day, the
success Of which will enable them to restore and
preserve the grounds and throw them open with
out fee for admission. This il is hoped will very
soon be done, but meanwhile the place must be
taken care OF, and the small revenue derived
from the steamer secures this. The clear report
of our able board of visitors, in the Language
OF its president now Lieutenant Governor
Thomas, and Endorsed by the other mem
bers, examines this Zone subject of CON-
plaint," and clause or two from this re-
port should relieve this question az once. This
arrangement was found to he absolutely neces-
saTy." The board. after a thorough investiga-
tiCn OF the whole matter are of the opinion that
the contract IS ludiciouS one" Feeling sensIDly
the present financial condition of the State, we do
not ask for any appropriation, but as in the Ian
guage OF the report. the management of the en-
tire affairs OF the said association has been In
cordance with the spirit ADD reason Of the char
ter" We only ask that the ladies be permitted to
pursue the even tenor OF their way, until 'such OF
her citizens as feel themselves able to make pri-
waite donations" have responded to the recommen-
dation OF the board Of visitors. The endowment
will then be complete, the years of anxious
prayerful labor will have their reward and the
gates of our Patriots Home" will be opened to
the world by the
LADIES OF THE MT. VERNON Assn.