Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-06-21
from Mrs. Charles Conrad,

New Orleans. These embraced very
handsome jewelled knee-buckle art
shoe-buckle; elegant thread lace, worl
by Mrs. Washington silk pieces of he
weddng-gowns, and silver candle
stick. Mrs. Conrad also presented two
very handsome silver lamps, once thC
property of General Washington.
Valuable books and autograph let
ters are being added to the library, o
which committee Miss Alice Longicl
low is chairman. Copies of books that
were once part of this library are
greatly desired
Mr.. Heurich, Of Washington city
has recently presented three acres q
marsh land lying adjacent to the steam
boat wharf, and which is now a breed
ing-place for malaria, and Mrs. Hearst
has undertaking this year to have il
drained and thus improve tie sanitary
conditions of Mt. Vernon. Mrs. Hearst
has also presented Pohick church with
$500 to erect parish house. The Re
cord Committee is carefully collecting
and arranging an account Of the early
history and work of the association
Reports of this book will be sent to
historical societies when completed
A condensed report of the work OF
the Mount Vernon Association was or
dered to be made and sent to the di-
rectors OF the Woman's Building al
the Columbian Exposition to be placed
among its exhibits. A large number
of reports for 1892 have been distribut-
ed by the vice regent for Virginia.
They can be secured if desired.
An additional pew waI rented at Po.
hick church for the ladies Of the cour-
Gil in view Of the fact that General
Washington had two pews there.
The spinning house will this year be
restored by council, and the vice re-
gents for Minnesota, Michigan, and
Pennsylvania will furnish its rooms.
Mrs. Flandreau, vice. regent for Mime
sofa, has already restored the spinning
room, and has plcced there loom and
spinning-wheels, where they once did
the work of the plantation.
On Memorial-Da the President sent
large and magnificent wreath Of flow
ers from the White House gardens to
decorate Washington's tomb. 1t was
also decorated handsomely with flags
and profuson of cut flowers and flow
ering plants from the Mount Vernon
garden.
The council very carefully considered
the question Of increasing the hours OF
public admittance to Mt. Vernon. The
velvet lawn and quiet shade are most
inviting, and the public would gladly
enjoy them in the evening hours. The
officers of the electric railroad desire an
increase of Mt. Vernon travel, and
heightened hours for the patriotic SEN
timent of the American people pays
them well. The officers of the Mount
Vernon Association desire all to be ac.
commodated. They also understand
their own sacred trust and their duty
to preserve the home of Washington.
Each day the mansion is carefully
cleaned before the arrival Of visitors,
Each day the grounds are cleared of the
large debris left by tourists. The SUI
perintendent and employees must have
some hours for rest as well as for the
daily work upon the place. When the
need exists additional guards will be
secured, but there cannot be relays of
superintendents. The responsibility of
this officer is great.
After long and most careful consideration
council resolved to continue TO open the gates
to the public daily between the hours OF IL
a. m and 4 p m. and on Wednesdays until d
p. m during this season of the Columbian Ex-
position until its close. No picnic parties
will be allowed on the grounds. The super
intendcnt is now a justice Of the peace, and
the recent council has directed that two OF his
assistants shall be vested with constabulary
powers. In the words of the regents, the
association feels that it can always appeal TO
the reasonablcneSs of an American public to
sustain it in preserving middle course. The
association will endeavor to be true to its
trust in the preservation OF the mansion and
of the land, and will be careful not to endan-
ger the interests of future generations by
sacrificing too much to present demands"
No place i'll the country is more absolutely
protected from danger by fire. Its chemical
frc.apparatus is very large and cost over
$1,000. Tirginians visiting Mount Vernon
should examine it. There is also q complete
fire department of an older fashion. The
water supply is the river, an engine forcing 1t
into large reservoirs. Two watchmen keep
guard at Mount Vernon.
On June 2nd Governor and Mrs. Mckin-
ncy Mr.. Mckinney, and Miss frankie visited
the council. The Board of Visitors appointed
by the governor to Mount Vernon were
present on that day-Messrs. L. Q. Washing
K. Walton Moore Taylor Berry, Captain Mush-
bach and Colonel Bigger. They, with num-
Der of distinguished people from Washington,
partook of a collation. and expressed officially
their appreciation of the work of the ladies
and their desire to cooperate in anything
that tends to the pcrpctuity of this sacred
spot.
On the morning of June 3rd the council ad-
journed to meet June 10, 1894.
EMMA R. BALL,
Vice-Regent for Virginia.
Mount Vernon Ladies Association for Union.
Richmond Dispatch.