The times., 1899-03-04
The Presbyterian Graveyard Con-
demned by Georgetown Citizens.


A well attended meeting of the George
town Citizens Association was held last
night, in Cooperative Hall. The presi-
dent B. T. Janney, presided. and ]. Bar
ton Miller acted as secretary. John
Leetch, manager OF the Washington Gas
light Company, pending the final report
of the committee on legislation. which
has under consideration the jenkins bill,
providing for the adjustment OF the Office
OF Justice of the peace in the District of
Columbia, made some convincing argll-
ments in opposition to the measure. He
said that Washington had been used too
long by Congressman and Senators as a
testing place of experimental legislation,
OF which this fair sample.
Under the head of new business, ).
Barton Miller presented the following res
olution, which occasioned much discus
sion:
Resolved. That the Commissioners Of the Dis
triCt OF Columbia he and are hereby petitiOned to
abolish the burying ground known the Pre>by-
teran Graveyard. living between 2 and r. Thirty
third and Thirty fourth Streets. and 10 order the
removal OF all remains now there to suburban
or outside cemeteries for the following reasons:
First-That the burying ground is located in
the midst of a thickly populated section 0t the
y.
terest,.
Second-Tlat il has been abandoned not only
as place of burial since 1855. by order Of the
District authorities, but practically by the
church. which heretofore has exercised active
control over II, said church having dismissed the
sexton years ago, resulting in the place becom-
ing rendezvous iur rOwdes.
Third-TlHt the site as it exists presents sad
picture OF desecIation, the fences having been
destroyed graves robbed uf their marble head
stones, and the vaults greatly deiuCed
Fourth-That numerous tenants OF said proper
ties which abut thereon have used the hurying
ground as a dumping place for household refuse.
Filth That in the summer months il emitS
the combined odors of domestic garbage and
growing and decaying vegetation. polluting and
rendering obnoxious the surrounding atmos-
phere.
Xtl-That the place today is a serious men
10 the health of Georgetown, the most viru-
lent eases OF scarlet and typhoid fever during
the epidemic of several months ago having gene
rated and iOurished there resulting in Il large
number Of deaths.
Sevcnth-That the health OF the city's people
is supreme 10 all other considerations and that
/ the necessary and cNpc,licnt remedy s the inn
. mediate adjustment of this graveyard and be
il further,
} Resolved, That the Commissioners OF the Dis
trict nf Columbia lac and hereby petitonrd
TO recommend and take such other steps to further
| the purchase Of said graveyard site and TO cstah
| lis in its place Il public park for the benefit oi
{ the people OF GeorgetOwn.
John Leetch, who is a member of the
| governing board of the Presbyterian
/ Church, stated that the church people en-
! tertalned a sentimental regard for the Gem
| etery, and many of them would object to
seeing the remains of those who lie buried
/ there disinterred.
! Quite a lengthy debate followed, and the
matter was finally referred to the commit
tee on public improvements for considera-
tion and recommendation.