Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-09-28
COMMUNICATED.
he Trust in Washington's Boncs---A
Great National Scandal.

|
The Trust in Washington's Boncs---A
| Great National Scandal.
1t must have been source Of deep
humiliation and sorrow to the many
thousands of Grand Army veterans as
they stood in awe and reverence by the
tomb at Mt. Vernon and realized that
thew were then and there the victims of
gigantic monopoly whose traffic was
in the dust Of George Washington. 1t
did not matter that these soldiers had
imperiled their lives to defend the
Union which the great chieftain had
imperiled his to establish and perpetu-
ate for the enjoyment of unborn mil
lions Legally protected monopoly had
no Difference for sentiment or patriot
ism and the tribute was levied and the
Doodle insultingly pocketed. Had not
the State of Virginia authorized by stat
ute the eXaction of 81 head from
every visitor to the ''home and tomb, "
and had not the American people
shamefully acquiesced in the enormity
for % years ? The complaints of the
veterans about this imposition during
the cncampment were general and en-
pa tic, and no complaints were ever
more justifable and more worthy the
serious consideration of our people.
We believe that the time is opportune
for the Inauguration of a movement on
the part, not only of Grand Army men,
but of all others who feel aggrieved,
which shall eflcctually put a stop to
this infamous national scandal.
The writer has visited most of the IA
nous mausoleums, repositories Of art
and public museums of Europe and not
penny in any instance was demand
ed of him for entrance TO them. Across
the ocean they do not make a dime show
of the tomb Of every great warrior,
Statesman or philanthropist. But here
in the United States of America the
bones of Washington are fenced about
and no one can stand by the hallowed
spot without paying the exacted fee of
twenty-five cents. In no other other
civilized land under the sun would such
an enormity be tolerated. Then why
should it be tolerated and perpetuated
here? Let pub &C opinion answer and
decide aga nst it. The good name, SER
vices and fame of Washington are the
heritage and common p-ope.ty of the
American people. The Association Of
Mount Vernon have been party to. and
wholely ms rumental through their
charter in the Continua1ceofthis monop-
olycomplained of. Under their regula
ton, only the steamboats, of one COM
pany under any consideration may
touch and bring passe '@ers to their
lalding. These may levy tax ofone
dollar a he d on each passenger, one
third oft going ostensibly to the keep
ing up of the gro mds ard two-thirds
going for the payment ola very short
ride on the Potomac.
When the thousands Of patriotic la
dies all over our land made their con-
tributions for the p,uchase of the home
of Washington we arc sure they never
contemplated that in so doing they
were going to make it possible for con-
clave aid syndicate to turn it into Il
public show ground. BY the opening
of the new Electric Railroad only thir-
ty cents is charged for the round trip
from the national capital, but the twcn-
ty-tive cents fee for admission is still
demanded Of all car passengers and the
restriction enforced that no one of the
passengers can enter the gate save dur
ing steamboat hours-that is between
II a. IN. and p. IN. And why this re-
striction? Simply to discriminate in
favor of the steamboat company and
against the railroad company-with no
such arbitrary requirement and jug
Cling visitors to the capital on business
with the departments and with limited
time at disposal would not be requir-
ed to spend whole day in
going to to the 'home and tomb
as heretofore but could conveniently
make their pilgrimage before or after
department hours and so very satisfac-
torily accomplish both objects.
To briefly sum up the case under con-
sideration, the United States govern
ment should have charge of Mount
Vernon, make ample annual appropria-
tions for keeping the grounds and build
ings in order, maintain a sufficient
guard and police on the premises, abol-
ish forever the odious Doodle gate, and
allow all visitors, whether by steam
boat or railroad, to visit the place un-
der certain orderly restrictions but en-
tirely free of charge, and so put an end
to great national reproach. The
movement ought to begin here among
the citizens of the country surrounding
Mount Vernon. Let our representa-
tives in the next legislature be instruct
ed by large popular sentiment and ex-
preston of opinion to urge that body to
annul the twenty-five cent provision of
the charter. Everywhere such q step
would be hailed with approval and sat
isfaction. Whether or not the grounds
should pass to the control of the gov
ernment we have no doubt that the
most satisfactory arrangement could be
made with the railroad company for
their share of means to keep everything
in order, but it is the capitation tax we
desire to see abolished. w. ID. ,.
Fairfax county, Sept. 81.