Evening star., 1935-02-03
BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.

We twentieth century ladies who
serve with our men folk today upon
various boards, committees and other
organized groups having to do with
the raising of funds for worthy causes
are still considered rather modern and
advanced by certain conservative ele-
ments in our communities. Indeed,
upon the occasion of public gatherings
not infrequently are we addressed as
Miss So and So or Mesdames This
and That, who are the first women in
this city, county or State, as the case
may be, to serve in such and such a
capacity" But are we really as pro-
greSSive as we are considered? Those
Of us who like dip here and there
into the accounts of the customs of
other days and ways find that history
as usual only repeats itself.
AS we note the day-to-day removal
of the enveloping flreproof steel scaf-
folding from which workmen, like
human flies, have gone about the first
surface repairs to the Washington
Monument shaft since its completion
and dedication, we are reminded that
a ladies' committee of three helped the
gentlemen of the Monument Society
make possible its construction.
From the day after the death of our
first President, Congress, in response
to the urge of public opinion, put forth
various plans to erect monument in
his memory. In each instance they
died a-borning for one reason or an
other. The years went by.
Finally. on October 81, 1888, in the
basement of the old City Hall in this
city, group of public-spirited citizens
organized themselves as the National
Monument Society. Their objective
was the raising of funds through pop
ular subscription for suitable monu-
ment to Washington.
Chief Justice Marshall, then past
80, as the author of the maker of the
original motion in Congress for a
monument to Washington, was chosen
president. He 1t was, we are told, who
was responsible for the suggestion that
Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, Mrs. James
Madison and Mrs. John Quincy Adams
should be requested to serve upon and
organize committees within this group
for the collection of funds to help
erect the monument. The Chief JUS
tice, it would appear, had the in
stincts of a good publicity man.
Not only did these three ladies
called to exalted station by marital
choice accept this responsibility, but
forthwith co-operated enthusiastically
with the society's systematic plan Of
dividing the Nation into geographical
districts and of asking for contribu-
tions from the public generally with
out regard to party, sect, or color. ~
Many appeals went out over their
signatures to Sunday schools, churches
fairs and other agencies where it was
felt that feminine influence. might
prevail.
That these three committeewomen
had gratifying responses to their pub
nc-spirited endeavors and that they
continued to hold the admiration and
respect of their associates in this Ma
tion-wide undertaking Is evident.
Each was formally requested by the
Committee on Arrangements to be
present at the laying of the corner
stone of the Monument on July 4,
1848, some Is years later.
The letters of this famous trio of
widows follow; Mrs. Adams husband.
having succumbed the February be-
fore to a heart attack in the House
of Representatives chamber, now &C.
cupied by Statuary Hall.
QUINCY, Mass, June 26, 1848,
Gen. Arch Henderson,
Chairman of the Committee on Ar
rangements,
Laying of the Corner Stone of the
Washington Monument:
"The inflrmities Of health and the
great disabilities under which I labor
make 1t impossible for me to under
take so long journey In the heat of
Summer, and WILL I know, plead
my cause for declining the invita-
ton you have done me the honor to
send me.