Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-01


NOT BE EXTENDED.
Mount Vernon is looking very attractive jusH
now. The annual council Of the ladies' associ.k
ton has been in session for the last week and
VIII adjourn tomorrow IL IL be possible to dis1
pose Of all the business still under deliberssiouk
Inc thousands of visitors there all the ma
week, made up Of strangers from all parts d
'his country rs well as foreigners, look with 4
great deal of curiosity, very largely mixed With
admiration. at the handsome gathering Of ladie3
sitIng around the council table in the banoueA
nah ana most of them goaway from Mount yer4
non WIN but NtsAe idea what the purpose 4
'ne ladies is in being there az all Tb4
* majority OF pilgrims to the home "A
s1 Sassning,on 10 not know that the estate u
,ror,a. uust by an association Of patriotic
oen' come Few Of whom have been conf
nected with II since Its delivery bv r,rch.sn u
we Sssocistao-. Twenty states are rer--eser.s-S
y. .-eir we 1eseaN a. The v-eser. r,.,-.-,-Ei
1 hno ne ce~i q item, ty sbssace .ru-r he
sle k1ess Or othe- cs1se< E-e prers-t4a
;ro-a attending. he srIh.sias-D w -
each lady takes up her Eork in the ss1y. go
seems TO lessen They regard Il as a HIGH
honor ana privilege that IL is theirs $50 sacro5lv
preserve and guard the home Of Washington
THE PRESENT REGENT.
Last year the council unanimously elec<ad
Mrs. Townsend of New York. who had M lon.
and ably represented her state as vice rrv.rt
as regent, and she has taken mp her dutie, Win
Characteristic energy and ability. Ii has been
a busy year at Mount Vernon. The visitors
came in armies and while the revenue has been
greatly increased the wear and tear on the
buildings and grounds has been q considerable
item 10 Offset the surplus. II, however. leaves
the council in q position to order several res
torations and repairs, all Of which will condacs
to the pleasure and comfort of the public, a
well as in the interests OF general preservation.
During the past few years all the outbuildines
on the estate, especially the servants quarters,
have been placed in complete order and 70.
stored 10 what they were in washington's time.
There was only one remaining the coachmsn's
house, to complete tlse chain and this viii re-
vice regent from Michigan, Mrs. Rsthbone
having expressed her willingness TO bear the
burden Of the expense Is Q contribution from
her state.
THE RUSH OF VISITORS.
As visitors are now on the grounds al day
from 10 TO 4 the servants find IL great deal
harder work to keep the place in the same neat
order so long characteristic Of Mt. Vernon.
The help and the police have been doubled, but
even with all this Il is sometimes found pretty
hard to get the grounds and mansion in COM
pected every day. The representatives. Of the
electric road had . talk before the council one
day this week and asked for extension OF the
hours. During the summer months a large
part OF their patronage would naturally come
between the hours Of and 8. 1t is said that Q
law suit was threatened if the demand fer the
extension of the time was not agreed TO by the
council So far, however. the council Is unan-
imous that the railroad shall receive no more
consideration than is now or heretofore showed
the boat route, and il is not likely that the ar
gument will be entertained at all As there 10
no museum or any other national exhibition
anywhere open except during stated hours ths
council feel that there is no reason why this ~
quest should be made Of them While the
grounds are open TO visitors work on the estate
is practically suspended, and this view seems to
all those employed on the place TO be the only
part OF the controversy worthy Of discussion
Their work must be done, and 10 accomplish 10
requires many hours of labor on their part after
the place is deserted
The council feels that to extend the houa
would be an inhuman act almost TO their en-
ployes, as ii would require the constant per
sonal supervision Of the superintendent, Mr.
Henry Dodge. whose administration has been
80 eminently satisfactory, not only TO the coun-
ell, but TO the public at large. The ladies do
not desire to act in any way antagonistic to IL
are directed, and they feel sure that those Who
60 there after O'Clock viii not charge thor
disappointment to any action of the council
FOUR KEW REGENTS.
-Four new regents have been appointed By tn
council at this session. Three of them, Min
Pendleton Of this CITY, who will represent Ohio,
Mrs. Dundas Lippincott Of Philadelphia and
Mrs. Geo. Goldsborough Of Maryland have
been present Of some OF the meetings. Mn.
Richard Conover Of New Jersey has also been
appointed from that state.
On the afternoon OF Decoration day the coun-
Gil went aboard the Nsmoose, on Mrs. HEARTS,
invitation, and enjoyed q ride down the river to
Gunston Hall, winch was formerly . favorits
visiting place with Washington. The ladies
were met at the wharf and driven by their host
and hostess, Mr.. and Mrs speck, to the hall,
and most Hospitality entertained. This ha1
been the only diversion from business in which
the council has indulged since the meetings
commenced
The daily sessions have been taken M WITH
minute discussi ons Of the reports OF the regent.
Mrs Townsend, the superintendent Mr.. Dodge.
and Of the various committees Of the council on
the buildings and grounds. All the estate has
been visited and the coun,l will separate with
q complete knowledge Of the condition in which
everything pertaining to the hallowed spot ~
mains.
A. ATTRACTIVE ALBUM.
One Of the pleasing incidents Of the~day yes
terday was the presentation to the council By
the regent Of an album containing photographs
of the three regents OF the association, with
short biographical sketches of each. and Of
nearly all the vice regents who have belonged
from its formation. II makes an interestin}
collection Of women, all distinguished either b
family connection, social position, talent q
beauty, as well as their enthusiasts regard fo3
the memory Of Washington. To collect these
pictures was no easy task, but when il ID com]
plete it will be one Of the most interesting
souvenirs at Mount Vernon. In the book, alsol
are pictures Of the mansion when the associa.s
ton took charge Of it years ago and when Il
was fast crumbling to ruin, and several viev}
Of it now with sketches Of the grounds, &c. !
to show the contrast The book is quite bid
enough to allow the future Introduction q
those who Will follow after the present council.
The album was gratefully received by Tho
council and Mrs. Townsend Was warmly CON,
graduated on her thoughtfulness in making the
collection and its pleasing results.
There is no doubt that Mrs. Hearst since heG
election Is vice regent for California has been
the fairy godmother Of the association, Hef
gifts have been very elegant and from the num-
Der OF them 1t would seem that the idea
had only to be suggested to her to meet with
her warmest concurrence. Her last gift an
Indian vase, once the property Of Washington.
will be placed in one of the parlors where every
one may enjoy seeing it
The gardens, which are under the superyis-
ion Of Mr.. Franklin A. whelan, are LOOKING
their prettiest The Mary Washington rosS
bushes are all abloom, and the shrubs, orange
blossoms and all the other old-fashioned sweet.