National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-07-21
EMANo1PATE MOUNT VERNON.
A coNTISENTAL's FoRcIBLE LOGIC FOR THE
FREEDOM oF wAsH1NaToN,a HOME.

A coNT1NENTAL's FoRcIBLE LOGIC FOR THE
FREEDOM OF wAsH1NoToN's HOME.
EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN: It has
been stated-without contradiction as
yet--that the Mount Vernon Association
has now to its credit in bank the snug
sum Of $87, 1000! 1t has made all the
improvements of the grounds, the tomb,
and the residence of the late George
Washington that il is proposed TO make
for the present and the immediate future,
and now has small fortune in bank, for
which the regents have no use, and
which is of no earthly benefit save to the
institution holding the deposit. In the
face of this startling fact, tariff of
twenty-five cents per visitor continues
the same as If this American Mecca was
in pressing need of funds.
These moneys have been drawn from
the pockets of those who desire to pay
tribute to the tomb and memory of the
father of his country, and to the patri-
otto sense of the American citizen it
seems TO be an unjust and unpatriotic
exaction to compel the American people,
and for that matter any people, to pay
one dollar for the privilege of looking
upon the grounds, the tomb, the sar-
cophagus, and the home of the late
George Washington, thus converting his
memory into sort of circus or museum.
What is to become of these gains no
one seems to know, or if they do they do
not care to tell. They have been ex-
tracted from the purses of rich and poor
alike, and now aggregate sum that
should crafty the cupidity of the aver
age Snowman.
Is it not about time for Congress to
call halt upon this matter, and emulate
the example of the state of New York,
which has made Niagara Falls free ex-
hibition to all visitors, by making Mount
Vernon as free to the patriotic impulses
of the world rs Niagara Falls is to the
curious in natural wonders2 This Mount
Vernon business is monopoly and a
gouge under the present arrangements.
But one steamer is permitted to share the
benefits of this carrying trade, and that
at an exorbitant rate of transportation,
as compared with other ferries If other
steamers can carry passengers four times
rs far as the distance to Mount Vernon
for fifty cents per passenger, the boat
ShJOy'hb 'hio ihOhopOig JUL piOhthDly
carry the visitors to the landing at the
tomb of Washington and back again for
twenty-five cents, and if competition
were allowed, transportation would be
promptly reduced to that figure.
Congress should take charge of this ma
tional Mecca and open it as, Niagara Falls
has been, to the free view of the Ameri-
can people. 1t does not seem to consist
with the dignities of free government
to coin lucre from the bones or memory
of its founders, by authorizing or con-
tributing to q system which is on level
with the ordinary show business of the
country.
The new administration, now that il is
entering vigorously upon system of re-
forms in the popular interest, should
reach out its arm and rescue Mount Ver-
non from its present characteristics as a
speculative show, at the expense of those
patriotic men and women who desire to
visit the tomb of George Washington.
Set Mount Vernon free from the cupidity
of monopolizing power, and the people
will rise up and call you blessed.
CONTINENTAL.