National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-13
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
The Monument at uonticeIIo-Thc Great
Democratic Mecca.

Persons at distance from the Capital would be
utterly amazed at tho number and character of
bills, with little Jobs therein, that are worked
through 9th houses, and which urc Invisible and
unknown to the average Congressman Tho last
neaLnnd quiet little anair gotten through Congress
is n $4,000 trihe for the purpose nominally of
erecting u monument to Jefferson, Thomas, the
author of the Declaration Of Independence, but
really to improve the property of the great family
Of Levys, n tribe of patriots who got hold of tho
Jefferson estate by means of hard cash amer the
death of the great apostle of Democracy. The
ancient pHtriarchs of the Levy family have long
since handed in their " final papers" and now
rest quietly under the daisies. But not 30 with
the junior members; they are lively young Demo-
Gratis and belong to the great Manhattan Club of
New York. 1t may be, too that they are following
out the injunction left by the immortal founder Of
that famous club-"t to vote early and often." This
wns tho legacy that Prince John the son of Martini
the "old fox of Kcnderhook," left to the voters OF
Tammany HILL. 1t is not generally known that
Nh. JEFFERSON NJ. LEVY,
n clever and intelligent young gentleman, owns in
fee simple the home anu land and grave of the ereRt
Jefferson, at Monticello, and ho doubtless desires
to have the same improved, which is luudable,
for the place shonld be improved but not at Gov
crnment expense while IL Is owned by n private
citizen II may be that the onierprisng Jefferson
Levy is Of the opinion that as his uncle, Commo-
doro Levy, late of the United States Navy, gave to
the United States n hne bronze statue Of Thomas
Jefferson (now in Stntuary Hall in the CapltoD
that 1t would be but fair for Uncle Sam to put Sl0,-
000 worth of repairs upon the property Of said JEFF
ierson NJ, The Taxpayers, however, might be Of
different opinion. But who cares what they say
now2 the bill is law. The public and especially
| those who believe in Thomas Jetfcrsons princi-
pies, would probably like To see flno work OF art
| and monument worthy of the first Democratic
President of these United States but that Is not &c
be an iron fence, obelisk six eight feet high
and that is all FOR tho solid $4,000. 1t Is not i'm
probable that the property
WILL DE OFFERED TO THE GOVERNMENT.
ana II may be good thing for Uncle Samuel tC
| purchase the same from uncle Jefferson NJ. but
Samuel should insist upon deducting the ter
| thousand previously paid for the improvements
| The State of Virginia should have taken this mat
| ter in hand. Doubtless the whole of the money
will go into the property, not for monument bnt
for ience and other improvements, which will
| enhance the value of the estate, and when the
| next Democratic administration gees into opera.
| tion, if they are not all dead ere that alleged
polticalm millennium occurs, II Is probable, through
tho influence Of the great family of Leyys and the
Manhattan Club, that the United States win buy
Monticello with the dust of Jefferson md his
family. The State ofVirgnia should buy It now
and put such improvements MS would be In keep.
ing with her history and patriotic achievements