New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-09
MRS. SAGE TO NATION
ISLAND FOR VEST POINT
Miss 4nna b. Wmner Associated IN
Gift-President accents.

! IN historic memories dating back to the Revolu-
tlon and whose rugged shore forms part of
! the beautiful landscape as viewed from West
Point, has been presented to the United States
government by Mrs. Russell Sage and Miss
Anna Bartlett Warner, to be added to the
United States military reservation of West
Point and used by the Military Academy.
President Roosevelt has accepted the gift in
:. behalf of the nation. and has directed Luke E.
! Wright. Secretary of War, to that whatever
action is necessary be taken by Congress or by
the authorities OF the State of New York in
order to effect the transfer of ownership.
This action of Miss Warner and Mrs. Sage
prevents the island from being turned into
summer resort used for manufacturing pur-
poses Repeated efforts to have the federal gov
ernment purchase the island have failed. A bill
approprating S1750o0 to buy il passed the
United States Senate but passed the
House
Mrs. Sage, in her letter to President Roosevelt
containing the proffer. says that, in view of the
pecuniary sacrifice made by Miss Warner in
refusing to sell the island to private parties at
a price much larger than that for which she
proposed to sell 1t to the government, she has
made Miss Warner giver, with herself. of the
property to the United States government. Mrs
Sage also stipulates that Miss Warner shall
have the lifetime right to reside the island
enjoys. Mrs. Sage's letter to the President
follows:
The President
Sir: l take pleasure in rendering as gift to the
! Warner Constitution Island. opposite West Point
embracing about two hundred and thlrty acres M pa
an ADDITION to the military reservation of West
Point and to be for the use Of the United states
Ny attention has been called by Captain Peter
the Importance of adding this island to the West
Point reservation and to the @ Sfa Acad
envy and Secretaries of War secure the neces-
sag Interest," q f IS
with West Point 1t formed during the Reyot1on iol
it are now the remains Of some ten breastworks Works
6e6 conItSd pi later by Kosciusko The guns
mounted upon the island then commanded the ] rlveF
attached one end of the iron chain intended
to prevent the British warships from sailing up the
Hudson. Washington's Life Guard was mustered
out this island in 1888.
West Point and in It's present 6aturai nnea
island summer resort for profit or its use for
the West Point authorities he extremely detrimen-
tai West Point. both from an aesthetic ana from
is desira bic for the future development of the acad
Purchase of the island by the the fe6era de ts goTF on
Elihu Root and the Hon William H. Taft as Secre-
ar @ f Of p,ser WT as Tea Mei Bins Ri
for the purchase of the island have been repeatedly
such bin passed the Senate in 1902 but never
brought 70 vote IN raeed 1e Fepeated offers from
private parties Of much larger sum than tha5
states gorernment but had steadily refused from
patriotic motives TO accent them in order t1at & ~
might ultimately become part OF the west
Point Reservation.
with friends oficiay connected with the Mill
Academy and Miss Warner have +to, pe ef
the same amount for which Miss Warner has
the understanding that l offer the island to the
government for the use of the United states NH
form part of the military reservation there
and upon the further writ ia fnae av
nge to @ the he OF Of fne br fe ung
her house grounds, springs, pasture ana hreWooo
In view of the great pecuniary sacrifice to Miss
Warner in parting with the island at this price
she Silt With me 61nGr OF the property
am prepared to execute prop.eeIT deed when5
for this purpose and that any necessary ] anthGr Or
y has been vain from on e. 1r n or the nted
States the same jurisdiction over the island
W Vest I Point Nv deed will be accompanied by
fun abstract of title and will contain no condl-
the sle2d be for ths 9se At Ws
Point \ " and form part of the military res
ervation of West Point. and pursuant to ,.tae the
runs with the landD that part of 1t shall
BE sed ao opefed by or
prise ndiyus & or pa fT PrG WaTneP ePd have
the right to reside as at present on Consttution
Island in full possession of her house and the
gardens appurtenant thereto during her natural
the of such spring or springs
gether with the right pasture her cows and
horses and take such firewood as VIII be neces-
ssrv while she resides said island, 1t being
clearly understood that these reSerNatlohs IN her
favor restricted TO her own life only
II is a great satisfaction TO me 10 be mus
able to carry out the great desire OF MISS war
ner's life and / that her unselhSh ana
high minded refusal to sell Constltutlon Island
5ear to ne
graduate Respectfully yours, r,
MARGARET OLIVIA SAGE.
The President in accepting the gift sent the
following letter to Mrs. Sage:
My Dear Mrs. Sage: Through Mr. De Forest !
hav received your letter Of September l. L
the nation and have written Miss Warner thank
ing her. have sent your letter at once to the
Secretary of War directing him TO see that what
action be necessary, If any such thefe
thorities in order consummate the gift. may
be taken. Permit me now, on behalf Of the nation,
thank you most heartily again for really
patriotic act. With regards sincerely YOURS.
THEODORE ROOSEN ELF
To Miss Warner the President wrote
Ny Dear Miss Warner: ! have written Mrs.
Sage thanking her. and write to thank
the singular generosity which has prompt
you her to make this gift to the nation.
behalf of all people desire to express our
obligation and our appreciation. With regards,
believe me sincerely YOURS.
DANTSu FYMTNTSTFp SWIMMER