The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-08-20
Miss Wilson on Jefferson Estate
Daughter of Secretary of Agriculture Declares Congress Has No Right
to Confscae Property just Because Mrs. Martin Litleton
Wants 1t.

en- me to walk about the grounds and
to visit the mansion. How differently
people see things-it never once &C.
CURED to me that every opportunity
to see Monticello had not been cheer
fully granted.
Instead Of wondering why the gov
eminent did no own it, / spoke sew
eral times to my companion regard
ing the service Representative Levy
had rendered the nation in keeping
the place exactly as Thomas Jefferson
mad constructed it, n OF his gener-
oslty in admitting tourists free. We
all pay at Mount Vernon. When we
visit castles and chateaus abroad,
TWO shillings or two francs must be
ready ere he gates of warrtck.
windsor or Chenonceau are opened.
The upkeep of Monticello is nearly
$4,000 per annum. The owner
spends less than half of the year
there. but leaves a corps Of attend
ants to guard the estate and to show
people its beauties. No dereliction
OF duty is anywhere evident except in
the cemetery. There the Randolphs
who desired to care for it allow weeds
to grow. This is as embarrassing to
Representative Levy as to visitors,
who comment upon the neglect. Yet
ASIDE from this Mr.. Levy stands alone
as the only man in America who pre-
serves with q reverent hand the home
of a former president exactly as
when its original owner lived and
died in 1t.
But for patriotism and devotion Of
the present benefactor. Monticello
might have suffered the progressive
lnventice ouch Of modern times. We
wired for telephones, and furnished
with airships to show people about.
Instead of twentieth century inven.
tons. changes of style or fashion, ev.
cry stick Of furniture or piece of
tapestry placed in the mansion by
Jefferson remains there as he wished
1t. ANYTHING that was destroyed by
was co~nhscated by the ~confederacy
has been carefully duplicated and in.
stalled as were the originals. Even
the old bell that spoke Jeffcrson's
ideas Of p%nctuality is still in it's place
ringing through the years welcome to
guests or speeding departing friends
on their way. was impressed by
to me as the old Liberty bell In Phil.
adelphia.
Monticello was built for a private
residence. and is being preserved as
one; any idea of converting It into
anything else seems like the great
est oesecratlon. II needs forever the
touch OF the owners hand-the own.
er who loves every acre. every tree,
n worships the very walls OF the
mansion. For many years 1t has had
its care: 1t could not be the same
without it. All charm would vanish
II Monticello was placed in a com.
mittee's hands.
A Dangerous Precedent.
Mrs. Lttleton would forward a
dangerous precedent. which would
deplete our treasury by the purchase
OF presidents homes, and many sites
which might from one claim or an
other belong to the government.
There is just as much reason to fisht
for the area In West Indies where
Columbus landed and discovered us.
where he knelt and thanked God for
guiding him to a new country. Why
no seize Yorktown because Cornwall.
lis surrendered there? Why not per-
petuate the man at Appamattox.
Where else has there been a Grant ?
II all spots interesting to US from
sentimental reasons should belong 10
the government. then there IL the lit.
tie old cottage where three women
sat and made our first flag. War
there no inspiration in the making of
an emblem that has meant more to US
than any presidents house could
mean? But we cannot buy all his
toric spots. The upkeep would be a
large drain on the government