Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-31
WASHINGTON, d. C. Oct. 90. 1888:

WASHINGTON, d. c. Oct. &c, 1882.
Editors Of the Kennebee Journal:
As too many entirely political letters get
monotonous to the writers as well as the
readers, your correspondent bethought him
self. this time, of branching of from this
monotony, for the nonee, and taking up some
other entertaining subject and while thus
facilitating" as Mrs. Darlington would say,
on what might entertain, he stumbled upon
the Washington monument,-no, the subject
and the idea "stuck in So after "doing'
that remarkable structure, so far as allow able
and sttainable, he came back impressed with
the thought that there ~as merit enough in
the subject to warrant good letter for any
one who can write it up successfully. and 40
Your correspondent thought he would try,
with the aid of his own knowledge. and that
which vas gained by others with him-one
Of them being New Jersey lily. -
The structure is situated in the lover part
of the city near the Potomac river, on what
used to be known a. the "Islaud," because
Of . canal which divided it from the larger
portion of the city. 1t is now South Wash
ington. The ground is government
reservation, and forms part of q
tract which runs, unbroken, from the State
Department past the southern side of the
White House aud Treasury Department to
the Capitol-a distance Of over mile, taking
in the Agricultural, Smithsonian Museum.
and Botanical Garden tracts with the build
ings upon them. The subsoil 10 marshy,
river which now trends more southerly.
Therefore great pains, labor and expense
have been used to render the foundation per-
fcctly secure. In fact, concrete cement has
been used in such quantity and with such
skill that the sub-base is. as it were, a solid
rock. which only an earthquake would be
likely 70 move. Through the kindness of
the superintendent, Major Mclaughlin, we
were permitted to take the elevator and 60 to
the top, and thereby not only get knowledge
Of the structure, 'alow and aloft," but also
get one of the finest views of the country
round about attainable. The view takes in
the region fifty or sixty miles on all sides on
the level, while the higher ground, ranging
from sixty to eighty miles away, comes dis
tinctly to your gaze. The Blue Ridge, even
farther away, may be easily seen on clear
day, and it is said that several persons with q
field glass have seen vessels sailing in Chesa-
peake bay. Of course the views of the city
are magnificent; for Washington, with its
capitol and other grand buildings, its parks,
and its broad and beautifully shaded streets
and avenues, presents panorama not often
Witnessed, even in other parts of the world
Work on the monument was begun on the
Fourth of July lS4S, amid much jubilation
and patriotism. Contributions flowed in
quite freely, and for q while all things
seemed proptious. But as the stupendous-
ness of the undertaking became more mani
fest and the enthusiasm began to lapse Gas
il usually does in Yankee Land) the project
began to have dubious look so, after awhile
lack Of fnnds and finally lack of material
eroaght the work to standstill. Collections
wefe nov and then pooled and turned into
eh4 treasury Of the Washington Monument
Aseoeiaaaen, but these additional helps disap
PsnIed oyseerioasly. 90 that the public lost |
eoe4e9ee u lthe whole affair. 10 to An |
Qn1t, looos The structure had only reached
the 6eighk n ITO fest Congress was urred
~ ~ Mo4nment Association and by palri.