Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-20
Mount Vernon.
From the Richmond State Journal.

The Committee on Federal Relations Of the
State Suate held meeting to give Coloue Il.
Daniels, of Fairfax, representing the Interests
of citizens Of tile Upper Potomac region, hear
ing upon the Noun, Vernon monopoly: Col.
Daniels seated before the committee that he
had the best wishes tor the Mount ernon AS
ISOLATION and was Influenced by no lll-wlll to II
or the fortunate steam boat proprletors who en-
loved exclusive privileges there. Inc ladies'
of that Association held in trust fund created
for public purpose, TO Wit: the purchase aud
preservation OF the home Of Washington, and
the opening of it to public visitation. Colonel
Washington, It's former owner, bad reluctantly
parted with it that the American people might
have the privilege OF visiting it. The State of
Virginia created this corporation aud endowed
it with the powers requisite to the purpose OF
it's organization Po protect the rights of the
visiting public the State limited the admission
charges to twenty-five cents, and forbade the
association TO alien or lease any portion OF its
property without the consent Of the Legislature
first Obtained. Yet the Regent had leased the
wharf to the steamer Arrow, thus granting the
exclusive privilege of landing passengers to that
boat. This lease he claimed 10 be invalid and
against the rights and interests OF the public
The language Of the law is explicit and admits
of no doubt. The fact Of the lease IS admitted
by the regeut at all events exclusive rights
are claimed under the paper by the Arrow aud
maintained on its behalf by the association.
This monopoly is clearly unlawful. 1t is vlo-
| latoU OF we'll known usages on the water Ways
OF the United States. 1t is also against the
true interests of Mount Vernon. The people
| living alorg the river claim the right to choose
their own conveyance to Mount Vernon. They
ask only to 20 to Mount Vernon at the pre-
scribed hour, paying the required fee, as now
done, and submitting to all the regulations OF
| the place. They ask that boats owned by the
| people of Virginia shall be admitted to parti-
| cipate in the transportation Of passengers there
on equal terms. This seems too just and reas-
| onahle to adult Of discussion. BY introduc-
ing fair competition it would tend to Increase
the number IF visitors and thereby the Income
Of Mount Vernon. He urged 1t as a measure
10 the interests Of the association. Mrs. Wash
ington, vice regeut for West Virginia, who vas
present with Captain HUliugshcad, OF the
steamer Arrow, and others, representing the
| Mount Vernon Association, then made state
mcut. The substance Of it was, that if Mount
| Vernon was thrown open to the public it would
be overrun and sacriege committed. Colonel
| Daniels reioined that it was not clear how the
| SleauUGT AllUN CU'liu sO q oohoPoiy "
virtuous and honest visitors. The resident
manager had complained 10 him that visitors
who came by the Arrow even took relics from
the place without permission. Mrs Washing
| ton stated that they were from the North
| mostly" The discussion was contlDued for
| sometime by Mr. o. Neil, Of Alexandria, in behalf
o. his constituents, and Judges Thomas and
Ball and Mrs. Washington for the association.
| Mr. O'NriI presented petition, Containing the
names OF the principal property owners, busl-
ness men aud lawyers Of Alexandria, asking
| the abolition of excluSveness at Mount Yer
non. The names Of Beach, johnson aud others
might have some weight with this committee,
us well as those of Gov. " ellis and Judge Thomas.
Mrs Washington said lit was contest between
the Mount Vernon Association aud Col. Dan
iclS and those associal ed with him. Colonel D..
begged the ady's pardon while he stated that
sit was IA contest between the general public,
represented by himself aud cightors, contend
ing for their rights, aud the proprletors OF the
Steamboat The committee was evidently In
hueuced more by the graceful and fascinating
woman than by the simple lacts and arguments
OF the gentlemen opposed to her. Under the
lead OF Judge Thomas, they seemed to vie With
each other in haste to surrender their judgment
to the fair pleader, whose beautiful face shone
with touching and irresistible eloquence as she
urged her cause upon the yielding Senator'S
We are not surprised that the committee re-
commended that the House bill do DOT pass.