The evening times., 1896-07-06


ing that the capital should carry off the
ington are doing everything in their power
TO counteract the effects OF the influence
brought to bear UPON Mr. Rouss from these
sources, and it seems that they have been
successful, as Mr.. Rouss, up to this time,
is of his original opinion in regard TO the
site.
MR.. RoUSS' OFFER.
AS Is generally known Mr.. Charles Broad
way Rouss has offered 81 90, 90 0 toward the
erection Of 4 building or series of build
iugs TO be known as the" Southern Memorial
Institute" or "Battle Abbey of the South"
the same to be used az a depository of the
relics OF documents pertaining to the his
tory ofthe Civil War. A committee, consist
ing Of one member from each of the South
ern States, one from Maryland, Kentucky,
Oklahoma, Indian Territory and the Dis
trict of Columbia, was appointed as the
board OF trustees OF the institute.
This board will meet in Chattanooga
about the middle of July and will ARA nge
TO visit each OF the cities seeking to OBJ
tain the coveted abbey.
The selection of site rests entirely
with them and their decision will be final.
1t is not thought that they will report fay
orably upon any other city than Washing
ton, since Mr.. Rouss has made known that
he preferred that place. The original idea
of the building has been somcwh hat modified
At this time it is proposed to make the in
sutute the receptacle OF all that represents
the South, historically, artis tically and
scientifically. Rooms will be set aside as
museums, wherein will be placed interest
ing relics of the part played in the civil war
by the Southern States. Each Of the seeeed-
ing comm on wealths will be given a certain
amount Of space, which may be utilized in
displaying her war mementoes.
In addition TO these, exhibits may be
made of the agricultural, mechanical and
industrial interests of the various States,
so that the Institute will stand as the en-
bodiment Of Southern life, past and pres
ent.
The offer Of Mr. Rouss was conditional
upon the raising of like um by the South
ern people. The entire South has responded
heartily, and when the site shall have been
selected and the arrangements perfected, it
will be but matter of few weeks before
the money will be obtained. Should WASH
iDgton be decided upon the sum of $500 900
must be raised in order to obtain the. same
amount from Mr. Rouss This immense
sum would not have to be made up by the
National Capital alone. The entire South
will contribute literally. Almost every
Southern city has been ut work soliciting
subscriptions for the enterprise, and the
amount now pledged in the aggregate does
not fall far short of the desired half million
To show what Washington will DO in
the matter it is only necessary to say that
Capt John NJ. Hickey, the member of the
beard of trustees from the District of Co.
lumbia, has in a brief time obtained in
writing from capitalists of this city pledges
that exceed 100000 In addition to this
he has been authorized to say that Wash
ington may be relied upon to bring the
sum up to the half-million mark, no mat
ter what the amount obtained
MANY FAVOR WASHINGTON.
Many intelligent people all through the
South favor Washington as the site Of the
institute. The superior advantages of the
place are universally admitted, but earn.
ing critics have dwelt at some length upon
the matter through the press and pulpit
and have ridiculed the idea of erecting a
Southern Battle Abbey in the Federal
capital. Various Grand Army posts have
passed unfavorable resolutions upon the
project. The majority of the citizens of
the entire United States are heartily in
favor of the affair, and many of the North
ern ciaes have expressed a Willingness
to contribute financially to the success of
the project.
Rumors have reached the ex-Confeterates
| interested in the institute that some of the
| members OF the G. A. R. in Washington
were displeased because of the probable
selection of this city as the site. 1t has
| also been widely circulated that Mrs. JEFF.
ferson Davis had said that the monument
| to her husband could have been erected in
Boston with as much propriety as the
Southern Battle Abbey in Washington.
In compliance with the wishes of some
OF his fellow-ex-Confederate now resident
in Washington, Capt. John NJ Hickey
| sought to discover the truth of these re.
| ports. BE was assured by blood rela.