Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-04-08

against the removal of the remains of
George and Martha Washington and
urging John A. Washing ton, nephew
of President Washington and owner
of Mount Vernon. to withhold his
consent
The president of the Senate and
speaker of the House of Representa-
rives jointly addressed letter to Mr..
George w. P. Custis, grandson of
Mrs. Washington, requesting that
Congress be permitted to execute the
great desire Of the American people
that the remains of their beloved first
President and his amiable companion
should permanently repose in the
Capitol building.
Mr.. Custis promptly replied con-
senting on behalf of his branch of the
family and congratulating the govern
ment upon the approaching consum-
nation of great act Of national
gratitude.
Mr.. John A. Washington, the owner
of Mount Vernon, declined to permit
the tomb to be entered. He wrote
letter to Congress declaring that he
wss profoundly impressed with the
patriotic desire of Congress and the
American people, referring to the
painful and protracted struggle he
had undergone in endeavoring to de-
termine whether he should be govern
ed by his obligation to the highest
authorities and his country or his
own personal desires. When he con-
templated that the wishes of his rela-
tive as expressed in the latter's will,
had been executed and that his re-
mains at present reposed in perfect
tranquility surrounded by his family,
all other considerations became secon-
Diary. Mr.. Washington said he
hoped Congress and the people would
do justice to the motives actuating
his decision.
1t was common report at that time,
however, that Mr.. Washington
motives were less exalted than hls
letter indicated, and subsequent
events appear to have supported that
report. The removal of the remains
of George and Martha Washington
would have reduced the money value
of Mount Vernon by thousands of
dollars.
Upon receipt of John A. Washing
toms letter Congress declared the
matter closed and since that time NO
effort has been made to disturb the re-
mains of our first president.
At the time of the death of General
Grant there was considerable agitation
in favor OF utilizing the tomb
built for Washington in the Capitol
for the entombment of tile remains of
the great general. 1t seemed to be
the popular wish that this should be
done. but the family, then residents
OF New York, objected and the pro.
ject was abandoned.
The crypt or tomb is approximately
ten feet square, inside. built within
solid masonry supporting the floor to
the rotunda and Indirectly the dome.
The walls are pierced on four sides
by archways protected by iron graf
ings. Within the tomb. resting on
the floor, is q wooden catafalque
covered with common black cloth.
Upon this simple bier have rested the
remains of Presidents Lincoln. Grant,
Garfield and Mckinley as each has
lain in state in the rotunda of the
capitol underneath the great dome.
The tomb is in the center of
circular space fifty feet in diameter
bounded by massive walls of brick
and stone. At present books and
papers belonging to department of
the government are piled on shelves
about the walls. During the summer
this room will be cleared and thence
forth will remain vacant. save for the
tomb and catafalque, for all time to
come.
Both Senate and House have voted
to increase the salary of the chaplain
of these bodies from $1,000 to $1,000 per
annum, to take effect July 1st. next.
The House Chaplain. H. N. Oonden.
is blind. The Senate Chaplain is Ed
ward Everett Hale. The prayers
offered in Congress by both these
divines have become famous and are
issued in book form. Not only are
the prayers Of Rev. Hale unique and
impressive, but his delivery is sing
ularly striking. Daily hundreds of
people come to the Senate just to hear
the famous Boston preacher invoke |
divine blessing upon Congress and the |
country.
OF course Congress has a right to |
expect superior quality of devo-
tional services in view of the fact
that the Ohaplains are paid at the
rate of about 80. so per minute for the
4 ~ n =