The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-12
somehow. I have never seen mention Of the
desolate state Of this grave before"
EFFORT FOR AN APPROPRIATION.

somehow. have never seen mention of the
desolate state Of this grave before"
EFFORT FOR AN APPROXIMATION.
Now il is known that ten years before bis
visit 10 the unfinished monument over the
grave Of Mary Washington an effort had been
made 10 secure an appropriation from the
Government to complete the work. which the
Hon. Silas T. Burrows. a wealthy merchant OF
New York, had commenced to erect from his
own private means, without assistance
from other sources, but unfortunately he
failed in business and died before its compile
ton. A subcommittee of the FOrty-third
Cong ress, accompanied by an expert engineer.
was sent 10 view the unfinished structure.
The engineer reported that the monument
would have TO be taken down and rebuilt
and that an appropriation Of 40. 900 would be
required 10 reconstruct II. a bill appropria.
ting that amount was framed at once and
sent into Congress, but 1t was too late in the
session TO be acted upon.
CONGRESS PErITToSED.
In February, 1884. petition was sent 70
Congress from the Mayor and Common Coun-
Gil OF fredericksburg. asking that the Gov
eminent will complete this unfinished monu-
ment 10 the mother Of him who was first IN
war, first IN peace and first IN the hearts OF
his countrymen." This petition with the re-
port Of the engineer, was laid before the Sen
ate and bill appropratlng $40 was
passed by that body at the different sessions.
and committees were often sent from here 10
get the bill before the House. but they never
succeeded in doing so. Now, had tho House
acted as promptly az the Senate, as was
expected and desired by all the Government
would have required deed for the grounds
containing this grave of Virginias most
historic mother" and animated by some
spirit that keeps in such perfect order the Ma
tional Cemetery hard by" it would have given
the same attention 10 the monument il would
have built to the mother and to the surround
ing grounds rs it now gives TO the grand
monument and grounds at the Capital that
are dedicated to the son.
THE MARY WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION.
When the House had failed session after
session TO unite with the Senate in passing
the Mary Washington Monument bill. in DC
tober. 1889. the ladies here formed the Mary
Washington Monument Association Of Fred
erlcksburg and obtained a charter for tho
same, and sent thousands of the society's ''ap-
peals" 10 prominent men all through the
country and succeeded in raising over ono
thousand dollars. which is now in their treas
ury They also acquired three lots Of ground
surrounding the monument, containing about
four acres. Two of our generous citizens
each donated lot and another was purchased
with the proceeds OF an, en-
and all the grounds were enclosed. In May,
1890 a National Memorial Mary Washington
Monument Association was formed in Wash
ingtOn. ID. c., composed OF prominent ladies
from different States. with Mrs Chief Justice
Waite as president, and q proposition was
made by the National Association to the So
cety here for the erection of a suitable monu-
ment to be commenced not later than Febru-
airy. 1894: provided deed was made 10 the
grounds for the President Of the United
States and the Chief Justice of the United
States and the Governor of Virginia 10 act as
trustees ex-ofiiciO forever This proposition
was accepted by the society here, and its presi-
dent is now ex-ofiicio one OF the vlce-presi-
dents Of the National Association for Virginia.
and if your correspondent will forward 10 the
association here his small but free will and
full-hearted Offering il will be thankfully re-
ceived and the society's official receipt will be
sent him for the same.
DONATIONS PROM DIFFERENT STATES.
The National Association has already re-
ceived several thousand dollars from different
States. and when the branch societies are or
eanized in every State the distinguished pres
ident is sanguIne of getting an average contrl-
button OF $4,000 from each State. and enough
money will be raised by the women of the
land-our mothers. wives. daughters and Sis
ters-nOt only TO erect grand monument and
TO beautify the grounds. but also an amount
care of the monument during oil times. Your
correspondent Is indignant at the proposition
that the various wOmen's clubs of America
shall give money for block in the base of the
monument. 10 DO suitably inscribed as the
Woman's Christian Association. the Womans
Temperance Union. etc" Now is the mover Of
that proposition not aware that when the Ma
tional monument was built 10 the son at the
Capital. that every State, and the societies
through the country, were appealed 20 and
invited TO send suitable blocks for its cree
ton. with the names Of all the donors in
scribed thereon, but there was not enough
patriotism in the country 10 complete it in
that way, and it had TO be finished by the
Government. Now can any man have the
efrontery to say that the Christian women
composing these laudable associations named.
by which they are accomplishing great good,
are either misguided" or 'unsexed woman
hood, and are shorn of pristine grace."
A. r. Row.,
Chairman of the advisory board of the Ladies
Mary Washington Monument Association,
of Fredericksburg.
fredericksburg. Va. April 9, 1891.