The evening times., 1899-04-24
TRYING TO SECURE 4
BATTLE ABBEY FUND
Project for a Local Building
Under Discussion.
Captain Hickey in Favor Of the New
Scheme.
Nothing Yet Done With C. q.
ROuss' Donation to the COnfed-
crate Vetcrans' AssOciati0n.

The promoters CT the National Battle Alb
hey project will experience more dificu. ty
in securing the fund donated to the Con-
federate Veterans by Charles Broadway
Rouss for the erection of repository for
Confederate relics in Richmond than they
at first imagined, it is said.
The Confederate Veterans Association
absolutely refused to vote for this city as
site for their Battle Abbey in the Hrsr
place and by SO doing they reduced the
amount of the donation of Mr.. Rouss to
500, ,000. When the money was first placed
at their disposal MIR. Rouss favored the
establishment OF the Abbey in this city
and he said that II the veterans would
consent to this he would give $4,000. but
if any other city were selected the amount
Of the donation would be reduced to $780,
600.
The Confederate veterans, almost to .
man, voted to erect the building in Rich
mond and 100000 was lost. Then Mr..
Rouss stated that the city in which the
Abbey was built would have to cover his
donation and the work Of raising the funds
in Richmond was commenced. After al
most years work only $4,000 was col
lected and placed in the hands of the true
tees. Then Mr. Rouss generously made up
the deficit out of his own pocket. He was
very anxious to see the building erected.
This was almost year ago and nothing
in addition has yet been accomplished.
Many of the veterans who voted for the
establishment of the institution in Rich
mond are dissatisfied with the way affairs
have gone and are open in their state
ments that if they had chance to vote
again they would strive the have the Alb
hey located in this city.
When the scheme for the National Bat
tie Abbey was first proposed some time
ago the announcement greatly pleased
these men, and they are prepared to work
for the project. The building which is now
proposed is decidedly in harmony with Mr.
Rouss' idea, and it is expected that he will
favor such use Of the funds in the hands
of the Confederate veterans. Mr.. Rouss
has been exceedingly generous in his do
nations to the various Confederate organ
izations throughout the South, and has
expressed himself as heartily in favor of
any plan that would build the Abbey in
Washington.
When the Confederate veterans voted 10
have the Abbey erected in Richmond, a
board OF trustees was appointed to take
charge Of the fund. The board was made
up OF one delegate from each State repre-
sented at the camp. All except one, Capt.
J. NJ. Hickey, of the District of Columbia,
were in favor of building the Abbey in
Richmond. Captain Hickey was active in
his endeavors to convert his fellow men,
hers of the board to what he knew to be
Mr.. Rouss' own wishes, but he did not
succeed. He tried again and again to
bring the matter up for discussion, and
found that, after talking on the PROPOSE
tion for hours, he was the only man who
would vote for Washington as site. Cap
tam Hickey. when nv n fov
The Times, said
Il have always thought that the Con-
federate Battle Abbey should be establish
ed In this city, and have voted for il every
time l have had chance. l was the
only member OF the board Of trustees who
thought that way, however.
When the plan for a National Battle
Abbey was first broached l saw that the
scheme was for a far grander structure
than the one first planned, and l am sure
that Mr.. Rouss will favor ii. The idea for
the union of the Blue and the Gray on a
national basis is far more ccmmendable
than the building of an Abbey for the bene-
fit of the few visitors who come to Rich
mond during the year.
People from every country on the globe
visit Washington. and they would be sure
to see the Abbey if it were erected here.
1t seems especially fitting to me that
in these closing days of the nineteenth
century. when the country has become
united in every sense, there should be some
memorial erected that will perpetuate the
deeds of valor of all Americans, no matter
whether they fought under the Stars and
Stripes or the stars and bars. The plan
for the National Battle Abbey has my
hearty approval, and l will do all that
is in my power for its success"
viii you reopen the question at the
next meeting of the grand camp OF Confed-
crate Veterans and try to have a revision
of the Battle Abbey decision in favor Of
Washington" he was asked.
Il do not know" was the reply. Moth
ing has been said to me about it. but it is
the wish of the promoters Of the scheme
will take the matter under considera-
ton
In order that the attention of Mr.. Rouss
may be brought directly to the new idea
a letter has been addressed to him which
will contain an outline of the plan pro-
posed. The writer Of the letter asks Mr..
Rouss, il, in the event that the Confederate
Veterans again refuse to donate their mon
ey will he make good his offer of $500, 900
for building of the Abbey in this city by
donating the balance of the fund, S400. 900,
to the promoters of the national building.