The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-09
OPPOSES TAKING
OF MONTICELLO
Jeffcrson's Descendant in Rich
nond Does Not Approve
Mrs. Littleton's Plan.

PERSONALLY. should very much
prefer TO have Mr. Levy remain In pos
session OF Monticello than TO have II
taken over by the United states gov
eminent Aside from my feeling IN
me matter. l am opposed TO the idea
OF forcibly taking mans private
property by congressional enactment
don't think it's right"
That was the comment OF Mics Agnes
d RHno olph. great-great- sreat-sran
daughter OF Thomas Jefferson. when
asked last night by a reporter for The
Times Dispatch for an expression Oh
Mrs. Martin Littleton's campaign for
wrestling the jefferson homestead from
The present owner. The proposal to
force Jefferson NJ Levy to sell
Monticello 10 the government Will be
brought to the attention OF the House
OF Representatives in Washington to-
gay or tomorrow.
Miss Randolph was shown a news
paper dispatch quoting letter TO
Representative Levy from Frank NJ
Randolph. OF Keswick. a cousin OF
Miss Randolph, to the effect that Mrs
Martin Littleton's proposal for acquir-
ing Monticello was ga travesty on JUS
tice n direct infringement on Ameri-
can liberty and directly opposed TO the
principles and sentiments OF the builo-
er of Monticello"
Family Opposed to Plan
AS far as l know" said Miss Ran
dolph. the whole family is opposed
10 Mrs. Littleton's plan We all feel
that Mr.. Levy has done much to pre-
serve and care for Monticello; that he
has spent large sums OF money In
keeping 1t in repair. and we feel CRATE
full to him for the many .courtesies
which he has shown Us. I can't say
the same for Mrs. Littleton-
Il should like TO see the government
take over and care for the cemetery
which is about a quarter mile from
Monticello and which contains the
graves OF Thomas jefferson. his wife
and about twenty OF his ltneal de-
scendants None OF the family lives
near enough now 10 take proper care
OF IL, and the government might prop
erly act as steward. Two Of the de-
cendents expect to find in this plot their
last resting place. and If the govern
ment should decide TO acquire the cene-
terry they would insist upon retaining
the right 10 be buried there"
Fa<ors A. r. v. A. Idea
Rather than 20 have Monticello pass
into the hands OF the government,
said Miss Randolph. she would prefer
to have Il come under the supervision
Of the Association for the PreserVa-
ton of Virginia Antiquities or sirni-
lar Virginia patriotic organization
Such a plan. she thought would be
preferable too. 70 a stewardship By
the United Daughters OF the confe1-
eracy-an alternative scheme which
has gained currency.
Miss Randolph. who is superinten-
dent Of the Virginia Hospital. is lineai-
" descended from the Trainer of the
Constitution through his daughter
Martha who married Thomas Mann
Randolph The only other descendant
in Richmond is Assistant city Attor-
ney George Wayne Anderson. who Is
a cousin Of Miss Randolph ano comes
from the same branch of the family
The cemetery is not part of the
Monticello estate. while surrounded BY
il. and IL is owned In common by All
the descendants. Miss Randolph sai1
that she was one of the two who ex-
pect to be buried there