The times., 1897-04-18

The Monument is not so elaborate as one
OF the did designs pictured it. the obehNk Is
the same, but the Autograph exhibited IN
the cuStodianS office, together with
others showing the structure in various
stages OF completion picture it surrounded
up TO 100 feet by circular building with
corinthian columns and surrounded by
groups OF equestrian statuary.
If this design had been followed. it
might have added a certain beauty to the
shaft. but the grandeur of the latter lies
in its simplicity, and in its present form
it appears more like lone, imposing sen
tinel keeping watch over the people S
glory.
rnt. cornerstone of the Monument was
laid in July, 1913, and pamphlet, edited
by f L Harvey, secretary of the Joint
commission on the completion of the Mon
ument. gives a Iistof the articles deposited
in it, The list includes an historical sketch
Of the Washington National Monument
Association, from the origin of the enter
prise; a copy Of the grant for the site of the
Monument under the joint resolution of
Congress: Constitution OF the National
Monument Society; a portrait of Wash
ingtou, from the painting by Stuart, Fan
eun Hall; newspapers from the thirteen
States and the District of Columbia; an
American dollar, it is not stated whether
silver OF gold. a collection of coins; adj
dresses; public documents; papers of vari-
Gus Masonic orders and assemblies, etc.
The first 15O feet of the monument WAS
built by private subscription; the honor OF
initiating the enterprise belonged 10 the
National Monument Society, which labored
long and hard 10 get governmental recog-
milton crystalllzed into substantial aid for
the furtheranCe of the work.
There the squatty ystructurestoodfora abou
twenty years, between 1852 and 1872, ON a
rugged mound. while the beautiful stones
which were To adorn its interior We're hid
ing their light under wooden shed near
by At last, when Uncle Sam opened his
pocketbook. i'll was decided that the founda-
ton would not be strong enough to uphold
SO much greatness, ana the depth of the
foundation was increased from twenty
To thirty-elght feet, and the eighty feet
square which formed the base were ex-
tended to 126 l-2 feet. Then, under
national supervision, the monument took
a new lease on life, ana commenced TO grow
rapidly
ment Society had not put Inland they are
numerous-rapidly found places within
the shaft. Others came from home and
abroad. but, strange 10 say, none from lead
ing European powers Germany excepted.
These groups OF stones extend from the
thirty foot landing up to about ESQ. No
records Were kept of the dates OF their
arrival, but majority wele here between
the years 1850 and 1858 the first came
in 1873 and the last, West Virginia's in
ISS9-other late comers put in an appear
ance in 1876, 1878 and 1881. The super
intendent of public buildings and grounds
has been besieged with letters from all
quarters making inquiries about the dates.
But the only way to obtain such knowledge
is to make a personal inspection OF each
stone and observe the dates OF presenta-
tion on those which contain them.
This can best he done by taking a ride in
the elevator up to the 3 50foot landing, and
then strolling leisurely down the wide iron
steps and across the landings where the
walls are each adorned with an average
of five or six of the stones. Visitors and
yandals both elightin this trip; the former
for the instruction it affords, the latter for
the souvenirs that can be Clipped off with
comparative facility. One plying such a
trade can near the elevator or approac ching
footsteps at such great distance off, tha {
he can hide his tools and assume an air of
perfect innocence before he can be de
tected; such relic hunters have not been so
voracious, however, during the past year
or SO as formerly partly because of in
creased vigilance on the part of Monu-
ment officials and on account OF the fire.
quent passing up and down of visitors
Many of the handsomest stones have been
sadly marred and mutilated Staid, sober
people, who would be Mortified at the idea
OF doing anything not perfectly honorable,
have not beSitated to obtain relics in tllis
manner.
Many OF these not skilled in the art Of
concealment, have been called before the
city courts; a minister OF the Gospel who
once visited Washington on his bridal
tour, cut harmless little chip from the
shaft:he was caughtin the actand appeared
the same day before the court and his
souvenir cost him $40
Through the courtesy of the custodian
and his assistants, ] was given the free
dom OF the Monument and spent whole
day examining it's treasures. Leaving the
elevator at the landing where the array OF
tablets ended, Iturned and made the descent
on foot. The first memorial encountered