Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-29
GEORGE WASHINGTON
MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION

1t is nearly hundred years since
| the death of Washington. A marble
shaft, taller than any other similar
structure in the word. stands in the
| District of Columbia to commemorate
his achievements. A greater tribute
| TO his goodness and wisdom is now
proposed by the fulfillment of his wish
that there might be established at
Washington a national university for
the righer education OF the youth OF
the country, not only in the arts and
sciences, but In the principles of poli-
tics and good government. The rea-
sons which appealed to him for the
creation Of such an institution are
given in his will and he left a bequest
to aid in Its foundation. During his
life time at his instance a site for the
university was selected on the Poto-
mac at Washington upon knoll cor
responding to the enc upon which his
monument now stands. No successful
or sustained effort has been made to
carry out this grand purpose of Wash
ington, and the personal contribution
which he intended to make has long
since passed to other uses. He has
left, however, heritage most valuable,
in the conception Of this great work,
and it has remained for the ladies OF
the country to come forward in an en-
deavor to carry it on. A number of
them, prominent In the social circles OF
the larger cities. have organized the
George Washington Memorial Associa-
ton, with chapters in all the States or
the Union, and are making a combined
and systematic effort to bring into be
ing the institution which Washington
foretold. They aim first to secure suffi-
cient funds to erect in Washington an
administration building, which will
bring the project directly to the atten-
ton Of the national legislators and
other visitors to the national capital.
The Memorial Association has just held
a convention of delegates from all over
the United States. The meeting was
enthusiastic and encouraging reports
were presented. Several thousand dol
interest IN the movem 6a Is bellhg vide
ly manifested. The Association in
raising funds depends largely upon the
increase Of It's numbers, the member
ship fee being $500. All persons join
ing prior to November 1st, 1898, will
have the homer of being enrolled as
charter members, and will receive a
finely engraved certificate of subscrip-
ton sufficiently attractive to compel its
preservation. In years to come 1t will
be valued as showing the interest and
participation of the contributor In this
great undertaking. Organizations, as
we'll as individuals, are eligible for
membership, and this applies most ap-
propriateIy to the small social benevo-
lent and religious socieEes. The certi-
fcate of membership would make a
suitable and commendable souvenir for
BY Inheritance West Virginia shares
the pride Of Virginia in all that touches
the greatness CT Washington and her
sister States will look to her for a
proper expression of her interest In the
undertaking. The hundredth ami
versary of the death of Washington
occurs on the 14th of December, 1899
and the Association intends that upon
this most fitting occasion there shall be
laid the corner stone CT the great uni
versity, the foundation OF which he
sought to provide. The chairman Of
the West Virginia State Committee is
Miss Grace T. Davis, daughter of ex-
Senator Davis, whose home Is at FL
kins, w. Va. and who will be glad TO
receive and acknowledge contributions
in any amount for the fund, as we'll as
applications for membership and to
furnish any information that may be
desired on the subject