Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-23
GOLD IRONSIDES."
Frigate Constitution to Be Repaired
and Conn SIS toned.

and Com issi toned.
The famous old man-of-wa Constitution
SO dear to the hearts of the American peo-
pie, had for many years been at the navy
yard, Portsmouth, fast going to decay. Feb
ruary %, 1897, a resolution was offered at
a patriotic meeting in Faneul Hall, Boston,
by the president of the Massachusetts State
Society L. 8 D., 1872, that the frigate Con-
stitution be brought to Boston to end her
days near the spot where she was built and
launched Immediately afterward petition
was drawn up by the society, which was
Endorsed by Governor Wocott, the speaker
of the senate, the speaker of the house of
representatives and about 100 representative
business men of Boston, urging that the
Constitution be brought to Boston. In Octo-
Der of the following year the gallant old
ship was brought here for the celebration of
the Tooth anniversary of her birth.
The Massachusetts State Society, L. 8. D..
1872 Is largely composed Of the descend
ants of the men who fought in the war of
1872, some members, also, being descended
from the men who built the old frigate
who fought upon her decks and command
ed her during her famous victories. The
society has had for its objec; the restora-
ton of the old ship and at the annual
meeting in January, 1898, it was unanimous
ly resolved to raise popular subscription
fund from all over the country the amount
necessary to restore the ship in order that
she may be placed In commission once
more all the work to be completed to the
satisfaction OF the Secretary of the Navy.
The plan proposed Is to restore the frigate
as she was in the days of the war Of 1872,
to have her stationed permanently at Bos-
ton to be used as a training ship for naval
apprentices. 1t is thought that the work
proposed for her may be similar to that of
| the Constellation at Newport.
| Secretary Long, in a letter to Mrs. Mel
| son " Titus, president of the Massachu-
| sets State Society, Daughters of 1912, said
| Complying with the request Of the Mas
| sachusetts State Society. United States
| Daughters Of 1872. Of which you are presi-
| dent, 1 have to inform you that the de-
| partment has today recommended to the
| Congress the early passage of an act au-
thorizing your society to undertake the res
| toration Of the old frigate Constitution by
| popular subscriptions the work to be done
under the supervision Of and as directed by
| the department.
! The following Is the bill which passed
| Congress and was approved February IA,
| 1900.
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
| of Representatives Of the United States of
Secretary Of the Navy is hereby authorized
to place the: frigate Constitution, now ly-
! ing at the Boston navy yard, as near as
| NAV be consistent with her preservation, in
| the same condition as regards her hull and
| rigging, as she was when in active service
| provided that before beginning on such
| work, a sufficient sum Of money to com.
| piete such work shall be raised through the
| agency of the Massachusetts State Society
| United States Daughters Of 1912, and
placed at his disposal for the purpose
Having now received the necessary per.
mission from Eoftsress, the Massachusetts
State SocietyGU5 S. D., 1912, has begun the
| work in every state in the Union, to raise
the amount needed to rebuild the ship. Ir
order that every one may have an oppor.
| tunity to contribute a handsome certificate
has been issued by the society and will be
presented to every one giving 25 cents te
! the fund Each certificate will bear the
| name of the subscriber.
| Any one sending in the names of twenty
five subscribers will receive free in add
| ton to the certificate, a large photogra
vure of Marshall Johnsons painting of the
Constitution under full sail, which is 6
| large and spirited picture, particularly de-
sirable for schools.