New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-03
The Washington National Monument.

ton seeing the completion Of the mnch de-
rided incomplete pile of masonry which
was designed to commemorate the fame OF
Washington and the patriotism of his fel-
lcw-citizens. The bill appropriating $780,
600, less than one-half the amount required
to finish the structure, passed the House OF
Representatives last Thursday. The Wash
ington National Monumental Society lie
confident that It will be able to raise $780,
600 more if this bill becomes law. 1t has
already expended $230,o0O, and has bal
ance OF $4,000. All funds received have
been devoted to the monument, now l74
feet high, and not a dollar has been paid to
any officer or member of the society, nor
will the re be in the future.
The history Of the monument, taken from
the speech of Mr.. Foster, who introduced
the bill, and from the report of Mr.. Chip
man, Delegate from the District of Colum-
bia to the Forty third Congress, is interest
ing.
The Continental Congress, August 7, 1888,
resolved to place at the capital an equestrian
statue of Washington, when it's site should
be determined. His civil services adding to
his military fame, at his death Congress re-
solved, December "a, 1899, that marble
monument be erected, and that his family
be requested to allow his remains to be
deposited under it. In her reply the widow
Of the first President said:
Taught by the great example which
J. vnv hnA hx.fn mo unraV IN
my private wishes to the public will, / need
rot, can not say what q sacrifice of indi
vidual feeling make to sense of public
duty.
The resolutions remain unexecuted, but
May 8, 1900, q mausoleum was directed in
stead of a statue. January l., 1901, the
House appropriated 100000, but the Sem
ate did not concur.
In 1888 the associa ton was formed. Its
first president was Chief Justice Marshall
who died in 1885, Ex-Preeident Madison
succeeded him at the age of eighty-6ve
years. Subscriptions we're limited to 81.
In 1886 there were $28,0OO and in 1917
$S7 900, and the association was ready to
begin. Congress authorized the building
| and selected the site January 81, 1848, and
incorporated the society February 26, 1859,
and confirmed the grant Of the reservation.
The corner stone was laid July 4, ls4S.
Robert c. Winthrop, Speaker Of the House
of Representatives, delivering the Grafton.
| Work was continued to 1854, when a height
| time the bottom of the treasury of the
society. Not more that four feet has been
added since.
| An effort was made February ., 1855, to
secure an appropriation of 100000, but it
| was defeated. These reports have been
made at previous sessions Of Congress, each
urging a completion of the work, but
nothing was done until July q, 1876, when
! Mr.. Fosters bill passed the House.
The plan of the obelisk is nearly that of
Lieutenant Marshall, which discarded the
| grand circular colonnated building $50
| feet in diameter and 100 feet high,
surrounded by thirty columns of massive
proportions, surmounted by an entablature
| twenty feet high, and crowned by mas
sive balrstrade fifteen feet in height"
Lieutenant Marshall's plan substituted q
terrace at the base 200 feet square at the
top and seventeen feet high, terminating
with slopes of two-thirds. and ascended by
appropriate steps. The dimensions of the
shat t were to be ifty-fve feet square at the
base, 1888 feet square at the top, and 437.s
feet from apex to base of foundation. The
society increased the height to 1856 feet, the
cost of compile ton being estimated at
$45O,00
When completed this monument will be
the highest of any monument, obelisk,
dome or spire, as seen by the following
table:
Feet.