The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-05-07

The first session of the business coun-
Gil now being held at Mount Vernon hy
the hoard OF regents OF the Mount Vernon
Association was opened yesterday morn
ing in the newly restored quarters, with
the regent. Mrs Howard Townsend Of
New York, presiding.
The exercises were opened with psalm
and prayer, after which the roll call aud
minutes OF the council were read. In the
afternoon Mrs. Townsend presented her
annual report, as follows.
Ladies: tits always VITA sense OF happi-
ness and peace that we meet on this spot,
SO dear and so sacred 10 uS-the hCme and
resting place OF our great hero. We meet
here today from ilpartS orour country and
we welcome with fond hearts our beloved
dean, in the fun VigOr and energy OF life,
despite her record OF nearly four score
years.
This year has been a prosperous one, al
though the severity OF the winter prevented
the boat from making its daily trips
The Christian Endeavor Society, which
was To have brought some extraordinary
number of visitors, al is usual with many
organizations, dwindled to a small num-
Der: but the necessary preparation OF guides
ana guards caused US large expense
The clements themselves caused US
severe damage and loss of money. The de-
vaststion was excessive, and in the deer
park trees were uprooted, and added 10 the
calamity by falling upon and destroying
portions Of the iron railingS; roads were
much injured, and trees greatly damaged
The two main restoraucnS OF the year ire
the servants quarters and greenhouse. our
New York vice regent, who has made the
restoration Of the Cid servants quarters
makes herself known by her works rather
than by her presence. This building is free
fr,Hn damDnesS, we'll lighted, and well
ventilated, and viii serve useful purpose,
in whatever wa itmay be decided 10 utilize
it
i he reoonectiuns of Mr. Richard Wash
ifgton, an old gentleman of eighty-odd
wears, who visits Mount Vernon once or
twice a year, testified to the identity Of
this spOt as the servants quarters. where
he always stopped 10 talk with Adnt
Lucy or Aunt Polly and other old Negro
servants.
For the testimony about tie greenhouse,
the excavations speak distinctly. / am
sure thal il VIII afford delight TO Us older
ncinters, who have lived 10 see all these
oil landmarks OF our reveTed Washington
restored ia their original places precisely
as he left them.
The Deer Park, the Ha-Ha Fence, the
OLD greenhouse, the slaves quarters. the
servants quarters, and could we bat set
the original sun dial, now IN the posse SSion
Of a kied friend of ours in New York, who
purchased II from one Of the Washingtons,
how conTIcte would be the reStorduions.
And now. after enumeraling the causes
of cur prosperity, 1 must speak Of our
calamity. our true and tried friend, who
inheritci has loge FOR Mount Vernon aud his
kindness toits regents and vice regents, has
beea obliged u resign A projected absence
OF some years fram the country renders L
necessary that Hc should give up mis- treas
urerShip. and though it has fallen into eX-
Cellent hands we can but express our deep
regret al losing him, who bears tl:e honorrL
name of Riggs. so dear to Mount Vernon.
Andnow in acknowledgements Of fayogs rc-
Ceiyed, oar most valuable one has been nat
OF our generous vice regent for California.
The value al the printed repor,s OF so many
wears is unSppakable in the dissemination
of the kn0 Wedge Of this beautiful home Of
Washuagtoa ofthe benefaoJon 0 : tie ladies'
in its restoration and preservation to our
country And now, through TINS immense
gift, throughout the States in which Mrs
Hearst is Interested, this Mecca OF America
viii be known md visited bymanytho
of visitors who might never have heard Of
Mount Vernon.
TOour stalca friend, Mr. William II Have
meyer, we owe a volume called The True
Washington" a work written by Mr.. Paul
Leicester Ford and dedicated to Mr.. Have
meyer. from whose collection of written
papers. letters and documents every word
has been cleaned.
1t is with great pleasure that inform YOU
Of the thoroughly restored health Of our
superintendent BE returned 80 Ills Mount
Vernon home ready and anxious TO resume
his duties, with the renewed vigor derived
from his charming visit and its happy
effects upon his health
OF the assistant superintendent cannot
speak too highly. his assiduity and de-
votion were we'll tested during the alb
sciences OF the superintendent, who tes-
tifies highly to the judgment diSpla ged,
as well as his government Of the place
The regent adds her words 10 testify
that he has done everything 20 merit the
esteem and appreciation of the ladies'
Mr. Whelan, cur gardener, continues to
make more ana more beautiful tho garden.
in which we all delight so much He is
deeply interested in the renovation of the
greenhouse Of Washington day, and doubt
less it will do honor to his care and taste
IL is with a sense Of deep regret that we
record the death of a highly esteemed
member OF the advisory board, Dr. James
NJ Toner, who, at the ripe age Of over
eighty wears, passed away suddenly at
the close Of his useful and honorable career.