The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-12-12
MAUSOLEUM
DISCUSSED
A Plain Statement OF Facts
And Figures

JdCenI 10 MOunu view cemetery at
tention is called to the following:
First, to the hasty action of our
city council who passed judgment
the same night the proposition came
up, and over the demur of two of its
members, granted the permit to build
che mausoleum, railroaded 1t through
| It's three readings and passed 1t un-
der suspension of rules. Can any
reasonable business man give reas-
on why this was so important that
it should be so rushed through council
In one night, and not give our citi-
zens who are the most interested in
affairs of public good, an opportunity
! to investigate, or refer to commit
tee?
If the project is a good one, and
will bear investigation, why this
| rush?
A real mausoleum is made with
solid granite walls from one to two
feet thick, with as few joints as pos
sible, with slate catacombs built up
inside, with marble hung on the in
side against the granite and slate
with a roof constructed Of three
pieces, two side pieces with key
stone overlapping between, all of
which are foot and over thick, with
genuine bronze doors and grills, SO
that 1t might almost seem to be able
TO last forever; and yet where build
ingB of this character have been up
for so years, cemetery superintend-
ents say, are beginning TO need re-
pairs and no funds sufficient to do It
with.
And If so, what will become of
buildings constructed upon the frail
and fiimsy plans proposed to Mt.
Vrnon? Sawed stone eight inches
thick veneer the outside; reinforced
cement inner construction eight
inches thick, crypts of cement, (mois-
ture holding materially, and 7-8 inch
marble lining inside as high as the
top of crypts; and from there up,
under the roof to opposite side, plas-
ter covered with q stenciled pattern.
In many cases where plaster is used,
, 1t falls off with the dampness. 1t
/ is estimated that in good buildings
, the deterioration is one per cent per
annum. The least amount therefore
, would be an additional one per cent
, per annum to cover maintenance
capitalized on the accepted four pei
cent basis for trust funds, or so pei
cent of entire cost of structure. In
this case, $1,000 per crypt, which
= could not earn over 30 cents pei
. year per crypt, which would have
. to be placed in good hands TO carr
that; after the income from opening
and sealing crypts is ended upon the
entire filling of the mausoleum, Il
|. would not altogether be able to GOV
!. er attention and upkeep il the class
of building proposed should be erect
ed. 1t Is estimated that so per cen
of the construction cost would bt
O necessary to earn an income sullici
d ent to meet the needs after few
years. A reputable citizen of Mt
8 Vernon, advertised and sold crypt
for a similar building In a nearb!
town In Ohio and when shown tn,
undesirability OF such building a
n was planned, was honorable enough
TO cancel all contracts for crypts ant
& give UP the proposition that woul,
d have netted him and the promoter
% large profits; and when offered
@ large weekly salary and expenses L
,f help float similar concern 70
a another company gave 1t no consid
n Grafton. A Mr., IIildebrand OF Shelby
Ie Ohio, who was prime promoter an
N builder of a mausoleum in Shelby, Ill
n fortunately lost his wife two year
Is ago. but refused to place her in tn
le mausoleum he had sold to the people
T. and bought lots In the cemetery an
8, laid her there.
r. Many Mt, Vernon people know
sr the mausoleum in FrederlcktowI
IL which was built less than years az
Il and Is badly In need OF repairs, br
ID no funds for this purpose can be hat
20 Upon tho death OF DIR. Darling, hi
" family refused to use tho cryI
In which he had purchased, but bougf
4s a lot and laid him In the beautlfl
n cemetery, A citizen Of Frederlc'
" Town said recently that the mausol
IL un WAS the greatest fraud ever pl
upon the people OF that city. Throug
tho history Of every national burij
I'd custom one thing Is oharacterist
81 above oil others. the privacy an
"a sacredneas OF tho burial OF the
c- dead. Never tn recently has ~
one undedal'en 60 suggest the d