Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-20
THE TOMB OF WASHINGTON.
How the Mount Vernon Estate is Badly
Managed.
From The Nelo York Tslegram.


WASHINGTON, April ia large ma
jority of the visitors to the capital make
pilgrimage to Mount Vernon and the tomb
of Washington. Mount Vernon is a de-
lightful spot. Not only is it rich in his
torIc association, but there is not a more
beautiful place in this part of the coun-
try. But comparatively few visitors re-
alize the fact that the Mount Vernon es-
tate was purchased by popular subscrip-
ton, the price paid being $3.50, 600. Per-
haps their ignorance is justified when the
arrogant position of the Mount Vernon
Association is taken into consideration.
If there ever was monopoly this assOci-
alton has one. There seems to be no good
reason why the association should use
the bones of the "Father of his Country"
as a capital to make money out of the
general public, especially when that pub
lie is the owner of the estate. Under a
contract, which has been entered into be-
tween the association and steamboat
the owners of the latter are permitted to
have the exclusive right to land passen-
gers at the little tumble-dOwn old wharf
at Mount Vernon. Hundreds of thou
sands of dollars have been taken from the
public in this manner. To the people Of
w tbHiukbBu TINS tAAOl llNu - nO new
thing, and as It does not especially affect
them, they have allowed the abuse to ex-
list without protest. Strangers complain
loudpst, and it is but right that "A hearing
should be granted tOltheir side of the ques-
ton.
CLOSE CORPORATION.
Mount Vernon is only fifteen miles from
Washington. The charge for the round
trip and admission to the grounds is 81,
of which sum the steamboat prOprietOrs
take siXty-fve cents and the Mount Yer
non Association thirty-tive cents. 1t is
not quite plain why the association should
exact thirty-hve cents head from the
public for admission to an estate which
that public owns. Naturally the ques-
tons arise, "Where does the money goi
and "WhO are the benefciaries of this
eXtortionY' The property is governed by
a Board Of Regents, ana this board is
ruled by a vice regent. 1t is the clos
est kind of close corporation. When
vacancy occurs in the board the vice
regent makes an appointment TO I'll the
position, and il is understood that his
power In this respect is absolute. The
board holds Il picnic at the estate every
summer and counts the winnings Of the
previous season. When any inquiries
are made of the board it wraps itself in
impenetrable mystery. ltdeigns to allow
the public to enter its grounds at an eX-
tortionate price, and that is enough.
MYTHICAL GUARD.
The excuse given for the excessive
charge Is that il is necessary to have
large sum of money on hand TO guard the
remainsot Washington and to keep the
estate and house in proper repair. As
matter Of fact there is not the slightest
danger that any one will disturb Wash
ingtOn's bones. They are as well prOtec.
ted as they could be without the large
guard which il is said is always ready to
defend them. II is perhaps worthy OF re.
mark that the visitor sees only about half
a dozen persons about the place, and yet
an impression is always given them that
small army is in waiting to pouhce upon
the sc0uudrels who would desecrate the
tomb. Your correspondent has visited
Mount Vernon dozen times, and has
never yet seen guard that could not be
oNerpowered by five resolute men. The
army Of protectors Of the tomb of Wash.
ington is myth, pure and simple. No
extraordinary expenses are incurred on
TINS account, and this excuse for eXtor.
ton ~ therefore grouHdless.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY cor
The only other reason given for this ex.
toruon Is "the care of the house and
grounds There are employed on the
grounds two guides, one Of whom runs
the restaurant, and four or five colored
servants. These are under a supprinten-
dent No expense whatever is incurred
IN keeping the house IN repair. Under
the existing order of things each OF tho
original thirteen States agrees 10 keen