The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-12

THE BILL TO BUY WASHINGTONS
SWORD UNDER FIRE.

AAOlb w L dSS J10 01Obo0A Os
WASHINGTON, April lin the Senate
to-day, the bill for the purchase from Miss
Virginia Taylor Lewis, of the sword of
Washington for $50, 900 was taken up and
discussed for some time. When the bill
had been read, Mr.. Cockrell remarked
that it seemed very expensive sword, and
he inquired whether there was any identi-
fication of it.
Mr.. Evarts (who had reported the bill
from the Library Committed said that the
sword had been useful to the United States
when used by its former owner. In that
relation it had value AS mere scab-
bard and blade, it had not any great value
1t was one of five swords mentioned in
Gen.. Washingtons will and bequeathed to
various of his kindred. The first
of them was that one which had
the traditional credit of being presented to
Gen. Washington by Frederick the Great,
with message that it was present from
the Oldest General in the world to the great
est General in the world.
OWNED BY NEW YORK.
That sword was now owned by the State
other articles) for the sum of $4,000
This matter had now been brought to
the attention of the Senate, and the
price mentioned in the bill was that fixed
by the representative of the legatee of the
| sword. It's authenticity and its relation to
the great event of the surrender of Gen.
Washington's commission was not disputed.
1t was in historical picture of that event.
The Library Committee had not felt at
liberty to cheaper the sword. If anybody
else were to cheaper it, it was
not to be the Senate of the United
States. The only proposition now before
the Senate was whether the United States
should become the owner of that sword. If
not, it would be offered to other patriotic
organizations that might desire it. 1t was
to be acquired at that price, and not at any
other price.
GOING A LITTLE TOO FAR
Mr.. Cockrell said that he thought this
bill was carrying the matter little too far,
and he hoped the Senator from New York
would not insist upon a vote this evening"
as the Senate was not full, and as he (Mr
CockrelD would be compelled to call the
yeas and nays upon it. He did not think
the bill was right. The price was exorbi-
tant.
Mr.. Hoar remarked that the Senate had
passed bill to-day appropriating $4,000
for the purchase of the swords of Gen.
Shields
I1I. v bSb ottll uIldJ bIldO Dlll pfONlucu budU
the price should not exceed the actual cost
of the swords.
Mr.. Cockrell said there was no pretence
that the actual value of the sword was over
500. If it Qike the Shields swords) had an
intrinsic value, it would be different mat
ter.
NOT BUYING 1T TO PAWN.
Mr.. Evarts said that in voting for the
Shields bill no Senator supposed that he
was voting to purchase those swords, as
swords that could be realized upon if put in
the market. The question of the brilliants
which they contained constituted no part
of the desire or duty of the United States
to own them Did any one wish to apply
such test, or measure to this sword of
Gen. Washingtons He had stated very
distinctly that its owner valued it at 800
600; and if the United States bought it it
would do so because it desired to possess it.
The price fixed had no relation at all to the
money value OF the sword, but in one sense,
it was inestimable; it was the sword of
Washington.
VEST WOULDN'T VOTE FOR 1T.
Mr.. Vest said that, as a matter of course
this was not commercial transaction, and
neither was the purchase of the swords of
Gen. Shields. He had no disposition to put
himself on record as depreciating gratitude
honor and veneration, which every Ameri-
can citizen had for the memory of Gen.
Washington but he should not vote to give
$4,000 for this sword. If this bill were to
pass, every relic of Gen. Washington, and
every other distinguished man, would be
brOrght here and Congress asked to buy
them at enormous prices
Mr.. Voorhees, said he would Just as soon
vote $4,000 for this sword as any other
sum. IL was not a question of money.
This was the sword Washington wore upon
his person when, at the close Of a career of
glory such as no other man ever had in the
world, he surrendered his commission at An
napois, and bowed his lofty head to the
civil authorities of the government. It
was cheap at any price Price had no
meaning to his mind in connection with it.
This was a slim, long blade Of steel, with a
plain silver handle and guard; but it was
hallowed by such associations as belonged
TO no other relic in human history.
MR.. HoAR THINKS 81 so ABOUT RIGHT.
Mr.. Hoar suggested TO Senator Vest to
put his opposition in practical shape, and
offer an amendment striking out $20,0 900
and inserting 81 80.
Mr. Vest said that he had not had the
slightest idea of provoking the bursts of
eloquence which the Senate had listened TO
on this subject. He was willing to go to
any reasonable length TO evidence his ven
GRAFTON for the memory Of Washing
ton. He had never said anything
which would justify the suggestion of Mr..
Hoar to offer 81 80 for this sword. He had
simply said that the price mentioned was
enormous. Ii they wished to show their
estimate of the services Of Gen. Washing
ton they should make the price of that
sword $l0,0O0.000, or as the Senator from
North Carolina (Mr. Ransom) suggested,
S100,000,000.
gOMFTuTNC oR A QTAGGEpER
Who. he asked, had brought this sword
here as matter of commercel Which Of
the heirs and descendants Of Washington
was willing TO take money for that price
less relics When they entered into the do
main Of trade, what right had they or their
advocates in the Senate to complain il
asked TO fix a moderate and reasonable
pricel
Mr.. Reagan said the memory of Washing
ton was enshrined in every Americans
heart, and that the American people had
testified in every way their gratitude,
respect and vener 'ticn for him. And now
they were asked TO make commerce of this
sword. He thought Americanism had
changed very seriously within the last
thirty or forty years, and that honor and
gratitude were TO be estimated in dollars
and cents
After further remarks by Mr.. Evarts the
matter went over without action.
To Go over Till December.
WASHINGTON, April H. The House For