The times., 1897-04-28
FROM THEIR SACRED REST
Project TO Transfer the Remains
Of Gen. Washington.
SHARP CRITICISM EVOKED
The Regents, the Washington Monu-
ment Association and Prominent
Virginians All Express Their
Disapproval Mount yer-
non the Most Fitting Place.

The great celebration Of the detiica ton
OF the Grant monument, with its imposing
| solemnity, and its magnificent suggestive
| ness, has fired certain New Workers with
| at Riverside. Several well-known New
| York people, including Mayor Strong, have
| expressed themselves as being heartily in
| favor OF proposition 70 give the Father
| Of His Country fitting tomb. .
1t is said that Mount Vernon is secluded
| and cut of the way OF the ordinary world s
travel; that the tomb does not measure
UP to the dignity of the brave soldier, the
sagacious statesman, the ideal gentleman
Mayor Strong says: The city could well
afford TO do it," but he adds, If it were
practicable
Mr. Ashbel p Fitch, the comptroller of
the city of New York. says: New York
should be the burial place OF ali great men
whom the country calls its own. It was
the home of our literary men, Bryant,
Haileek, Poe aud Irving; our soldiers came
here TO make it their home, Grant, Sherman
and a great list of distinguished warriors;
our statesmen, when they retire To private
life; our students, all come TO New
York TO spend their last days. If
1t can be accomplished we would all like
to see it done. StIl, 1 should like to be
in Congress the day some New York repre-
sentative offers resolution that Wash
ington's bones shall be removed from the
Potomac to the Hudson, just to hear the
outburst chat would come from the states
men south of Mason aud Dixon's line"
Members of the honorable board OF New
York aldermen were even more outspoken
in their enthusiasm over this project, and
in their belief that it ought to be carried
out.
1t is the opinion, however, expressed
quite unanimously, by people In Washing
ton, that there is not one person outside of
New York city in the United States who
would for moment consider such proposi-
tiou- The reasons are~very plain. In the
first place, Gen. Washington himself wished
to ne buried at Mount Vernon. Mrs. Wash
ington also desired that his resting place
should he there. He is Virginia's greatest
son, and Virginia has the right to guard
his remains Heis the Father OF his Country
aud he should he buried at Washington.
Such n proposition as this would have
to be referred first to the lady regents of
Mou.5S Vernon, appointed by the yariors
states To represent them, in guarding and
taking care of Washington's tomb. These
ladies have received their charter from
the State OF Virginia. There are none Of
the regents in Washington ut the present
time, or at least no one OF them could be
found by a Times reporter last night; bnt
it is qisite certain that they would be of
one opinion regarding the project, and
that would be Of violent opposition.
Col James G. Berret, vice president and
the highest officer of the Washington
Monument Association, next TO President
Mckinley, who is president of the society
eX officio, was seen by "a reporter last
mig ht.
Nobody would consider it, he sail
Mount Vernon is a sacred place. Even
such proposition is dcfilcfnent to it.
1 see that the statement is made that