The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-31
HOUSE RESPECTS
!. v|RG|N|A's WISHES
Votes Against Proposed Re-
formatory Near Mt.
Vernon
TEN MILE RADIUS
IS. MARKED OUT
Home of Washington Consid-
cred Holy Ground Not to
be Desecrated by insti-
tuition for Criminals

WASHINGTON Jan. s1.--By de-
cisive vote, the House OF Representa-
tiyes Monday afternoon declared It's
belief that the location OF criminal
reformatory within ten miles OF the
home and tomb of George Washing
ton. at Mount Vernon. would desc
crate national shrine.
An amendment offered by Repre-
sentative Carlin, of Virginia, was
adopted, by vote Of liz to AZ, pro-
viding that In the expenditure OF
funds carried by the District of CO.
lumbia appropriation bill no funds
shall be spent on any penal institu-
ton. except the workhouse at Deco
guam, within ten miles of Mount Yer
non. Then an amendment offered by
Representative Pearre, of Maryland,
was adopted. liza to Is. providing that
none OF the money appropriated for
the proposed reformatory shall be
spent on that institution II II Ia To-
Gated anywhere in Maryland within
ten miles OF Mount Vernon. Thus
the House voted to draw a sacred ring
around Mount Vernon. within which
the District of Columbia shall not To-
cate its reformatory nor any other
similar institution.
Recently, under acts of Congress.
the Commissioners of the District OF
Columbia bought the Belvoir tract in
Fairfax county. Va. for its new re-
formatory site. This site includes
within its boundaries the home of the
Fairfaxes. 1t is about three miles
from Mount Vernon, on the Potomac,
and fronts Gunston Cove. Just across
the cove is Gunston Hail, the former
home OF George Mason. Just north
ia Woodlawn, the former home OF
Nellie Gusts. Near BY is Pohlick
church, where the Mason, Fairfax
and Washington families worshiped.
The regents of the Mount Vernon
Ladies' Association and residents or
that part Of Virginia registered siren
uous protests against the proposed To-
cation OF the reformatory, holding
that it would be 81 dissertation of
Mount Vernon. During the debate it
developed that only a few of the
mem hers of the House are in favor
of the Belvoir site. All Directing to
it based their opposition on patriotic
and sentimental grounds.
Among those speaking in favor of
the amendments WIRE Representatives
Pearre. of Maryland: Carlin, of Viz
ginia. Hull, of Iowa: Cooper. of Wis
consin. and Fecht, of Pennsylvania.
while Mr.. Taylor. Of Ohio. opposing
the amendments, ridiculed the oppo-
xition. Colonel Pearre declared HIM
self profoundly interested" in ali
matters affecting the District Of CO.
| iumb ia because the District was orig
inally part OF Maryland, his own
State.
Ii was not necessary Ia Indulge In
criticism of the municipal authorities
of Washington in order to attack the
location of the reformatory at Bel
voir. Mr.. Pearre said, because the
commissioners. acting under a law
authorizing them to get a site for the
reformatory. had merely carried out
the provisions OF an act OF Congress.
His only criticism might be of their
| judgment in selecting site so close
/ to the tomb of Washington.
This Is nSt a mere practical ques-
ton which should be viewed In
material light said Mr.. Pearra. 1t
was q patriotic and sentimental Ques-
tion. The good women and othere
who are opposed to this site base their
opposition 10 this Dissertation of the
| holy shrine of Washington upon the
| idea that that shrine should always
be held sacred. It Is not Il question
OF visitors to Mount Vernon being
assaulted. Mount Vernon should NOT
be desecrated by the proximity or
| penal institutions
Mr.. Taylor. OF Ohio. said that for
years there had been beer gar
den" directly across the river at Mar
shall Hall Nd, where shad bakes
were served. Mr.. pearre declared that
the government had nothing to do
with Marshall Hall, which was pri-
waite property.
Mr.. Hull. OF Iowa, chairman OF the
! military Gem essttces W hife opposing
| the location of the reformatory near
Mount Vernon. declared that Marshall
Hall had some time ago been sold to
q lady who wanted to make II her
home, and who had bought 1t because
OF its proximity to Mount Vernon and
the associations OF the old Marshall
family clinging about the place on the
that II the reformatory Ia placed Mt
/ Belvoir the property at Marshall Hail
would probably be abandoned by its
purchaser.