The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-31


the national capital from building the reforma-
tories within ten miles OF the home and tomb OF
Washington The House adopted the resolution
by vote of 1l2 to AZ.
Mr. Carlin is to be commended for his spleen
did fight waged in the rame of patriotism an
respect to the memory OF enc to whom the ma
ton shall ever be grateful and indebted for its
liberty Commentator should likewise be given
the Maryland delegation in the House, Represen-
tative Douglass. Of Ohio and Mr. Hull, of Iowa.
all of whom attacked the proposed plan of the
District Commissioners ON the ground that the
erection OF the reformatories near Mount Vernon
would be desecration OF the most sacred spot
In the country"
1t is well that the amendment was so couched
as To prohibit the Commissioners from erecting
these obnoxious institutions "within a radius o.
ten miles of Mount Vernon on either tho Vir-
ginIa or Maryland side OF the Potomac" Direct.
ly opposite the Virginia shores Of the Potomac
are spots in Maryland indelibly Identified with
the early history of that state and the nation as
well. These places are as halowed and sacred
to the Marylander as Is Mount Vernon to Virgin
ians. 1t is but proper that they. too, be protect
ed from encroachment Of the District Commits
sioners, who would rid themselves of the NUS
ance and menace of the desperate criminals of
the national capital seemingly without thought
of the fitness of things, or the patriotism of tot
Of two
To the Mount Vernon Ladies Association,
however, is due chief credit for the victory thus
far achieved and to them may be safely left the
continued opposition which will doubtless bear
final fruit in the Senate. A triumph over the
District Commissioners in their attempt to
clean up Washington and make It more beau.
tiful, regardless of those at whose expense the
cleaning Is done, is no jncoH5iderable achieve.
ment. 1t Is very large victory. It Is thus
seen that the good women of this country can
accomplish what they set out to do as well with
men in Congress rs with women. and as we'll
with gentle lady-hke persuasion and appeal to
the highest and best In men, as II they possessed
the right of franchise. They possess a gift equal
to that Of the right TO vote in their combined
tact, patriotism and feryor.
The agitation of the proposed building of the
non has attracted probably more attention to it
than anything during recent years. 1t has let
the world know that handful of patriotic wo.
men own the home and tomb OF Washington, and
that the Federal Government, which General
Washington established, has no title whatsoever
to the magnificent estate which is preserved in
every detail it was maintained 10y the immor.
tai patriot. Large sums of money are necessary
to carry ont this patriotic idea. and it is not
right that this handful of women should bear the
burden.
Although far in the distance. the day mus.
come when the state Of Virginia or the Federal
Government purchases the Washington estate
TO preserve aud protect it throughout all time.
And in acquiring the home and tomb of General
Washington, it might be wen TO pass a law pro
hibiting the erection OF reformatories, incinera-
tors, and such like in tho immediate vicinity