The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-20
SOUVENIR MEDALS
FOR MONUMENT
Mr.. Rixey's Bill for the Benefit Of the
Washington Monument in Alex
andria Reported Fayorably.
Especial Dispatch to The Times.

y
Especial Dispatch to The Timcs)
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb 1o.--Repre-
sentative Southland, of Ohio, chairman OIL
the Committee on Coinage, Weights and
Measures, has formally reported with an
amendment the bill to provide certain
souvenir medals for the benefit OF the
Washington Monument Association OF
Alexandria. Va The bill was introduced
by Representative Rixey.
The report, in accordance with the
views of Secretary Gage, recommends
the substitution of souvenir medals TO De
made in the mint at Philadelphia for the
100000 memorial silver half-dollars which
it was originally proposed to have coined
for the benefit of the Monument Associa-
ton. The association is to furnish the
material and the Government the four
dies.
WHAT THE PLAN IS.
The report continues:
The matter is in the hands Of the
Washington Monument Association, Of
Alexandria, Va, an association composed
of a number of leading business men of
that city, which is chartered under the
laws of Virginia, their object being to
erect q memorial monument to Wash
ington, as a citizen, in his home town
on the centenary of his DEATH The pSan
proposed is to erect a monument upon a
pedestal with q special design for each
side thereof. showing Washington as he
was known i'll that old historic city.
Here in l749 he helped survey the town
the Sesqui-centennial of which event was
recently celebrated there. Here in IVA
he was 4 member Of the Friendship Fire
Company, to which company he present
ed a fire engine; the old company still
ifC ,ion
he was made worshipful master of Alex
andria Lodge, No %, y. L. and A. Al.
This historic lodge, now known as Alex
andria-WashingtonL Lodge, still has many
relics Of Washington, and the chair occu-
pied by him as master is still used for
that purpose. Almost in view Of Alex
andria lies Mount Vernon. where Wash
inston showed his appreciation of asr-
culture as the foremost farmer of his
day.
1t was in Alexandria that Washington
attend court, ,'tcd. visited. built his
business office, transacted his large af-
fairs, and attended church, contributing
largely toward the erection of Old Christ
Church, Of which he was vestryman.
Here. too, he endowed a free school
among the first in this country-which
still continues as a monument to his
patriotism. Every memory that clings
around the father of his country is as
ISOLATED with this old city 1t is not an
unnatural sentiment that actuates these
people in their desire to commemorate
the memory OF their greatest citizen as
he was known among their fathers
UNIQUE DESIGN
THE design suggested is unique, and
While a similar monument could
not be erected with proprety
except in Washington's home town
which would to-day contain
the capital of this nation except for the
innate modesty of Washington, who ex-
pressly stipulated that none OF the public
buildings should be erected on the Vir-
ginia side of the Potomac, for the reason
that il they We're it might enhnnce the
value of his own estate and that Of his
wifes children and grandchildren-yet
every surveyor. every fireman, every ma
son. every farmer-yes, every citizen-in
this country must feel an interest in this
move to properly commemorate the cente-
nary Of the death of Washington. The
various designs on the pedestal handsome
ly and appropriately executed will be very
expensive; and While the City Council and
the people of Alexandria have responded
literally toward this fund and promise to
do more. still the association. feeling I'M
able to do justice to the occasion and the
man with the funds at their command, APP
presented, to have struck ut the mint q
Washington memorial half dollar, and Off
fered to defray all the expense of material
and mintage, hoping to sell the same to
coin collectors at premium.
Gas the multiplication Of coins is dis
couraged by the Treasury for valid rea-
sons, your committee after due considera-
ton adopted the suggestion OF the Secre-
terry OF the Treasury, and substituted
medals for the coins. Believing that this
movement is one that should commend it
self to every citizen it is eninently proper
that ttte Congress should aid in the man
ner suggested by the amended bill here
with submitted, especially as Congress has
not in any ma nner noticed the centenary
Of Washingtonfs death, and your commit
tee deem it proper that some official recog
nstion Of that event should be made by the
Fifty-sixth Congress, which came into eX-
istence only a few days prior to that date.
Speaker Henderson has been asked to
recognize Mr.. Fixey to ask unanimous
consent for the consideration Ole the bill.
The general opinion prevails that II the bill
can be brought before the House it will
pass unanimously.
THE WAR REVENUE BILL
The conferees on the war revenue re-
t1uction bill! are still in conference, with
no indication of an early agreement This
m UGH is known. however, andsthat is that.
the Senate vote on tobacco and snuff will
prevail.
Age
One OF the first signs OF age in a man
is a tendency to wenn his wfIskers the.
same way wear in and sout,-Detroit Jour