The National tribune., 1910-03-31
ANDERsoNv4ldE TRANSFER.
Soon to Re Turned Over to the Gov.
II crnmcnt.

: crnment.
Editor National Tribune: For the Sec
ond time inI National legislation the w.
X. c. have originated and secured the
passage of important bills in Congress,
without discussion or division in House
or Senate. The first was the bill to
pension army nurses at S12 month; 1;
the second, to transfer the Anderson
Vile Prison Park, as gift. without in
cumbrance, to the United States Gov
ernment. The bill, which passed both
House and Senate at the present ses-
sion by unanimous consent, later signed
by President Taft'and now law, trans
fers SIS acres of land, covering and sur
rounding the old stockade, together
with the improvements. These embrace
monuments erectyd by the States of
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Ohio,
Michigan and Wisconsin,. a stone pavil-
ion and drinking fountain over Provi-
dence Spring, Relief Corps monument
to Mrs. LiZabeth A. Turner, Chairman
of the Andersonville Committee. who
died there, and a caretaker's house, fur
nished by the Corps of several States.
A bill of like provisions, introduced
INTO the Senate, second session of the
6Oth Congress, thru Senator Foraker, of
Ohio, was passed unanimously by that
body. Passing to the House, it was re-
ported from the Military Committee OF
the House without a dissenting vote.
and three days before Congress ad-
Journed was called up by Chairman
Hull, under the rule requiring unani-
nous consent Mr.. Mann, of Illinois,
objected, and the bill was lost.
As Washington representative of the
Committee on Transfer, of which Mrs.
Kate f. Jones was Chairman, / secured
the services of Capt. Bradley, of New
York, to introduce a like bill into the
House, and Past Cummander-inCh Chief
Warner to introduce the same into the
Senate, thus placing the bills well up on
the calendar of the 6lst Congress. Early
the present year the bill, having again
been approved by the Military Commit
tee, passed the House. This time there
was no objection. Mr.. Mann, of Illinois,
voting for it, preceded it by the explain
alton that last year he thought the Re-
lief Corps had sought to impose a bur
den upon the Government. He had
later become assured that such was not
.he case.
The Woman's Relief Corps was the
more solicitous to have the bill passed
without controversy, as both Grand
Army men high up in National councils
and members of Congress had been APP
prehensive that the introduction of the
bill would disturb the good feeling
the South. To the credit of the latter,
it may be said that their Representa-
tives in Congress either voted to accept
the gift or refrained from opposition.
The services of Capt. Bradley, of New
York, and Gen. Sherwood, Of Ohio, in
lining up the Military Committee to a
unanimous support of the bill is CRATE
fully acknowledged by the Relief Corps
Committee in charge, and the same of
Senator Warner the Senate
The bill having become a law, an
opinion was secured from Judge-Advo-
cate-General Davis. of the War Depart
mcnt, to the effect that the formal
transfer of the deed should be ordered
by the next National Convention, the
deed to conform to the laws of Georgia
and to the operations of the law govern
ing interpretations in the State where
tne lands are situated. Later, with Gen.
E. B. Stillings, of Boston, Chairman of
the Andersonville Advisory Board, l had
a most satisfactory interview with Gen.
Davis, when the necessary steps were
taken to complete the transfer. On
motion OF Senator Warner the Senate
voted to place all the official papers in
the case in our hands, and they are
now on file in the War Office. In the
Senate transactions Mrs. Carrie Reade,
now of Senator Warmers clerical force,
rendered important service.
SAltho Andersonyille is now under the
care of the Government, the commit
tee. of which Mrs. Sarah d. Winans Is
Chairman, will proceed to make certain
pressing repairs, in opening up Provi-
dence Spring (sand having obstructed
the pipes) and in strengthening the
flagstaff that Old Glory may proudly
wave over the sacred grounds on Me-
mortal Day.
Gen. Davis gives the opinion that the
Government, in so far as the appropria-
tions for the care of National Gene
tcries provide, will assume the preserv-
alton of Andersonville and the improve
ments thereon; also, that they Will make
a connecting roadway between the pris-
on park and Andersonville Cemetery.
Further, that permits will be issued by
the War Department, as they may be
needed by the Relief Corps, for any
special work they may want to carry
forward in pursuance of their labor OF
love.
Let us rejoice together that neither
nv word nor deed has the Woman's Re-
lief Corps brought dissension into the
Grand Army in it's efforts to bring An
Jacksonville Prison Grounds under the
sheIterjng care of the Government
Kate Rrownlee Sherwood.