The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-10-17
THURSDAY. OCTOBER Il, 1901
WASHINGTON LETTER
[sneeial Correspordence. ]

Brigadier General John Nj. Wilson,
retired, who as chief Of the corps OF
engineers Of the war department per
fected the plans and arranged the de-
tails of the architectural competition
for the proposed memorial bridge, was
the first to revive the present interest
in that enterprise by suggesting that
the proposed Mckinley memorial arch
be made a part of the Washington end
of the bridge.
General Wilson knew President Nc
Kinleys great interest in having the
bridge built. because Of the favorable
sentiment il would create in cement
ing the growing feeling Of good Will
between the north and south. In dis
cussing the matter General wilson
went briefly over the history OF the
proposition, recalling several inter
views between President Mckinley
and himself relating TO the matter
and one in particular. in which the
president when asked to suggest an
appropriate name for the bridge, sald'
Let it be a monument to American
patriotism
After the death Of Mr.. Mckinley ana
n spontaneous suggestion had been
made for a monument to his memory
General Wilson said the idea of con
Meeting the bridge with that arch nj
once suggested itself to him as the
most appropriate place.
Conscience Contribution.
Secretary Gage has received in an
envelope. postmarked New York, Sept.
-. 1901. S6.15O in bills Of denomina-
lions ranging from $50 to $500. This
large sum of money was accompanied
only by the following statement:
After much thought l have been
convinced that duties were not fully
paid as desired. difference estimated at
about . per cent The wish Is now TO
rectifv what was done during some
wears ago. and amount is being sent
which is felt must be paid to the L. ).
A. treasury TO discharge those duties
and do the right. Above has been
great grief.
No name was signed to this commu-
nication.
The secretary expresses gratlhcatlon
with this evidence of q citizens desire
10 make good former evasions OF the
law. There are others said Secre-
tarv Gage. who would no doubt find it
morally healthful To follow this con-
tributors example. a friend of mine
recently landed from trip abroad. l
pajd $1,000 duties on my goods he
said. L never paid so much before.
This time II was an honest count
with me. II cost money, but | feel
good deal more respectable
The Pnn-AmerIcan Congress.
John Barrett eX-minister to SIAM
had a talk with the president about
the work to be done by the pan-Ameri-
can congress. which meets at the City
OF Mexico oct. 90.
RECIPROCITY, international sanitary
laws. arbitration and an international
court Of claims will be the principal
subjects discussed by the congress-
said Mr.. Barrett. "Of these the court
Of claims is the most likely to be unan-
imously adopted. though there is
strong feeling in favor Of arbitration.
President Roosevelt made speech up
at Minneapolis a few weeks ago while
vice president that showed him in per-
feet accord with President Mckinley
on reciprocity. We are much pleased,
therefore, that as president he stands
for the same principles as the man
who appointed US to represent the
United States at the congress. Better
steamship service between United
| States and South American ports will
probably receive some attention from
the congress"
McKinley's Badges.
.Ises Il