"Whereas the Monument proposed to be erected in the City of
Washington in memory of George Washington, the Father of his
Country, has been shamefully neglected and is now incompleted, with
no prospect of its being finished at all for want of means; and
whereas the Government is so deeply in debt in consequence of our
late international war that there is no prospect of an appropriation
for the completion of said Monument, and there is now, as there
always has been, a general, even a national, desire, on the part of
the people of the United States to complete this great work as
originally designed for the credit of this country and the national
respect for our heroic dead; and whereas a number of citizens
propose that in case certain privileges are granted them by the
National Congress _to complete_ said Monument _within twenty-one
years_ from the passage of this act, and that one hundred thousand
dollars shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States within
two years from the date hereof, and a like amount per annum until
the expiration of this act," &c.
The bill provided "that A. T. Stewart, C. Vanderbilt," and other persons
named, "_as per agreement_, dated March 14, 1869, executed by Charles P.
Briton and Charles B. Phillips, &c., are hereby created a body corporate
and politic under the name and style of the _Washington Monument Union_
for the purpose of devising ways and means for completion of said
Monument."
It was further provided that the said Union could hold and convey
property "and issue certificates of subscription, which shall entitle
the holders thereof to any consideration that may be awarded by such
system, scheme, plan, or means said corporation may devise or adopt, and
use such agency as they shall deem necessary to their success." One
hundred thousand dollars was to be paid in within two years, and
thereafter the same sum _annually_.
April 1, 1869, Mr. Osborne offered a somewhat similar bill, which was
also referred, but having other incorporators, who were to "have the
right, privilege, and franchise of devising such ways and means as they
may desire for the distribution of money or property for the term of
twenty years from the date of the passage of this act."
Precedent to the exercise of these rights a bond should be given the
United States in penalty of $100,000 to pay into its Treasury within two
years a like sum, and such sum every year thereafter for twenty years
the first $200,000 to be subject to the order of the Lincoln Monument
Association, the balance to be subject to the order of the Washington
Monument Association.
These schemes for completing the Monument, however, went no further.
Not until 1871 did the Society feel encouraged to again issue a general
appeal to the public.
February 22, 1871, the Society resolved to offer through the public
press the following propositions, either of which, when accepted, by the
required donation should be a contract between the donor and the
Society: The name of any person, corporation, or society contributing
the sum of $5,000 or more to the Monument fund shall be perpetuated by
inscription on a block in the Monument, to be prepared by the Society
for that purpose. The names of _all_ persons, corporations, or societies
contributing the sum of $2,500 or more and _less_ than $5,000 shall be
included in a list, and such list shall be inscribed on a _block_ or
blocks in the Monument, to be prepared by the Society for that purpose.
The names of all persons, corporations, or societies contributing $1,000
or more and less than $2,500 to be inscribed on a tablet to be erected
in the Monument. Any person or body contributing $100 and less than
$1,000 to be recorded on a list, and such list kept perpetually in the
archives of the Society.
Mr. John S. Benson was appointed the agent of the Society to place these
propositions before the country and to invoke the aid of private
citizens and public men; legislatures, municipal bodies, assemblies,
and _every form_ of organization of the people. Numerous articles in the
press called attention to the claims of the Monument.
The Legislature of New York, April 20, 1871, by a two-thirds vote,
appropriated the sum of $10,000 "as the contribution of the State of New
York, to be paid by the Treasurer on the warrant of the Comptroller to
the Treasurer of the National Washington Monument Society whenever the
Governor shall certify * * * a sufficient sum has been subscribed from
other sources to enable the said Society to resume work with a
reasonable prospect of completing the obelisk or shaft."
By the second section of the same act the Governor was to transmit
copies of it to the Governors of other States, "with a request that they
communicate the same to the Legislatures of their respective States."
The New York "Jewish Messenger," of its own account, undertook to raise
the necessary funds, and appealed to the Jewish people, and especially
the Jewish ladies, to complete the National Washington Monument; "that
the Israelites in America should be Americans in every relation of life,
and distinct only in their fealty to the faith of their fathers. The
Jewesses of America will earn the kindest and most-enduring
acknowledgements of America's sons; they will rear a proud monument for
themselves in working together for the accomplishment of this national
duty."
Receipts this year from collections, chiefly at the Monument, and
accrued interest, were $1,008.
Following the act of New York, the Legislature of Minnesota
appropriated, February 27, 1872, the sum of $1,000 towards the
completion of the Monument.
Also, by act of February 28, 1872, upon the like conditions, the
Legislature of the State of New Jersey appropriated the sum of $3,000
towards the work, which was followed on July 30, 1872, by an act of the
State of Connecticut appropriating on the same terms the sum of $2,000.
But these examples of duty discharged, not less than of patriotism, were
not imitated by any other of the State governments.
In February, 1872, a bill was introduced in the House providing that the
affairs of the Society should be vested in a board of directors, to
consist of five members of the Society and President and Secretary _ex
officio_. Any person on payment of $5.00 to be a member, with all the
rights and privileges of incorporators, to vote and hold office, except
that of President of the Association. The bill was referred.
The Society once more addressed a memorial to Congress praying a
_direct_ appropriation might be made towards the completion of the
Monument, or that "such action might be had as to the assembled
patriotism of the Nation might seem meet."
The memorial was referred in the House of Representatives to the
Committee on the District of Columbia, which subsequently reported the
subject back, April 19, 1872, recommending that "it be referred to the
Committee on Appropriations," and it was so ordered, but no action was
taken on the report at this session.
January 27, 1873, a select committee of thirteen was appointed by the
House under a resolution adopted to confer with the Society as to the
practicability of completing the Monument by the "approaching
Centennial."
February 22, 1873, the committee submitted its report, which recommended
that $200,000 be appropriated to aid the Society in its work. The report
recited in part--
"The committee have become fully impressed with the belief that the
present time is not only opportune for Congressional action in the
matter, but that the _honor_ of the Nation demands it. * * * "Some
question has been made as to the security of the foundations, and
the committee caused an examination to be made upon this point. The
Chief of Engineers was called upon to detail an officer to make an
examination and report. His report is appended hereto, and shows
that no perceptible change has taken place since the Monument was
raised to its present height. * * *
* * * "An opinion has also obtained some credence that the funds of
the Society, though considerably increased from year to year, are
absorbed in the payment of sinecures. The committee have had before
them _the accounts of the Society from its organization to the
present time_. * * * It will there be found that the Society _has no
salaried officers connected with it_. Their services have been
gratuitous, and they are much to be commended for their faithfulness
and their patriotic zeal in this great work. There are less than
fourteen thousand dollars, funds of the Society, in the hands of
the Treasurer, most of which are invested in interest-bearing
securities."
It was estimated that $700,000 would be required to finish the shaft,
constructing also a suitable base, and that the work might be completed
by the 4th of July, 1876.
The report concluded:
"In considering the question as to what action Congress shall take
in this matter, three views are presented: First, Shall the
responsibility for the completion of the Monument rest wholly upon
the efforts of the Monument Society? Second, Shall Congress assume
the entire responsibility, and to that end repeal the charter of the
Society? Third, Shall Congress aid the Society by an appropriation,
leaving it to continue its efforts to raise funds for the completion
of the Monument?
"As to the first, the committee find that the Society has made
_every reasonable effort_ to revive public interest and to secure
subscriptions, but its efforts have failed and will _continue_ to
fail without _some expression of confidence on the part of Congress_
in the form of material aid.
"As to the second view, the committee are unwilling to recommend the
disbandment of an association which has already done so much, and is
still willing to continue its patriotic efforts to redeem the
plighted faith of the Nation.
"The committee have taken the third view--that of recommending an
appropriation by Congress and of the continuation of the Society
for the purpose of soliciting further subscriptions under the
original idea upon which it started." * * *
The present consideration of the report, however, was postponed until
the following "Wednesday, at two o'clock," and made a special order. But
on the appointed day the committee failed to secure recognition, and not
obtaining the floor at any time during the remainder of the session,
addressed a letter to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate
asking an amendment to the sundry civil appropriation act of $200,000,
to be expended as provided in the bill it had reported to the House. But
Congress adjourned without action on the report.
At the next session the select committee of the last Congress was
reappointed, and on May 1, 1874, submitted a report comprehending its
former one, and to which was appended a transcript of the complete
accounts of the Society. The report concurred with prior ones in
Congress, commending the Society's past management and efforts to erect
the Monument.
A report by Lieut. W. L. Marshall, Corps of Engineers, bearing on the
sufficiency of the foundations to support the Monument at a height of
600 feet was also submitted as a part of the committee's report,
Lieutenant Marshall making his report as a result of a request preferred
by the chairman of the select committee to the Chief of Engineers,
U.S.A. It was stated by Lieutenant Marshall:
"It seems inadvisable to complete the Washington Monument to the
full height of 600 feet. The area covered by its foundations is too
small for a structure of the proposed dimensions and weight, causing
an excessive pressure upon a soil not wholly incompressible."
And he recommended the height be less than 500 feet.
The committee's report recommended the passage of a joint resolution
"that it is the duty of Congress to provide by a sufficient
appropriation for the completion of the unfinished Washington Monument,
at Washington City, by the 4th of July, 1876, the one hundredth
anniversary of American Independence."
The report was ordered printed, and recommitted to the select committee
on the Washington Monument. No further action was had on the report
before the adjournment of Congress.
Abandoning hope that Congress would aid in the resumption of work on the
Monument that it might be under way by the "Centennial year," the
Society proceeded to appeal to the country. Mr. Frederick L. Harvey,
Sr., was appointed its General Agent, and charged with the execution of
a plan he had proposed and which the Society had adopted. This plan was
to appeal to all organized bodies and associations in the country to
make a "contingent" contribution of funds towards building the Monument,
one-half to be payable to the Treasurer of the Society on official
advice that the total sum estimated to be required, $500,000, had been
subscribed, the balance to become payable in equal installments from six
to twelve months later. The interest of the country was to be aroused by
frequent articles in the daily press and by lectures. Contributions to
be sought also from churches and schools and by placing contribution
boxes in the exhibition buildings on the Centennial Exposition grounds,
in the City of Philadelphia, when opened.
Mr. Harvey proceeded most actively and energetically to execute the
plan. The press of Washington and elsewhere earnestly commended the work
and urged contributions.
Rev. Dr. Otis Tiffany, an eloquent pulpit orator, was commissioned to
visit the larger cities of the country and deliver an address on the
life and character of Washington, and this gentleman spoke in Baltimore,
Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and other cities, thus helping to
awaken public attention to the Monument.
President Grant and his Cabinet attended the lecture in Baltimore, going
from Washington.
Between July and September, 1874, over two hundred pledges were received
by the Society from organizations in every part of the country, chiefly,
however, from the Masonic Order, Odd-Fellows, Knights of Pythias,
Independent Order of Red Men, Temperance, and other fraternal bodies.
Subscriptions ranged from five to fifty dollars each. Circular letters
were prepared and sent directly to the executive officers of all
organizations. Interest seemed once more aroused in the completion of
the Monument, the contingent subscriptions continuing to be made.
February 22, 1875, the Society adopted an address to the country, which,
referring to the plan of contingent contributions payable direct to its
Treasurer, continued:
"The result of their first appeal in this direction has been such as
to strengthen their faith. * * * The organizations which have been
thus far reached have responded with subscriptions which, if
generally and promptly emulated in amount by kindred institutions
throughout the land, would secure the completion of the structure
during the Jubilee Year. Had their recent appeal fallen dead upon
the country and yielded no fruits, they would have been inclined to
despair of ever reaching success in the great undertaking so long
entrusted to their care."
A special letter to the railway and banking corporations embodying the
"contingent" plan produced many substantial subscriptions.
In June, 1876, the Society published a further appeal, signed by its
officers, U. S. Grant, _ex officio_ President; W. W. Corcoran, First
Vice-President; Robert C. Winthrop, Second Vice-President; J. B. H.
Smith, Treasurer, and John B. Blake, Secretary, requesting collections
in churches and Sunday schools throughout the country on the 2d of July
following. This appeal was endorsed and signed by the pastors of the
different religious denominations in the City of Washington. Application
to the management of the Centennial Exposition to place contribution
boxes for the Monument in the Exposition buildings was denied; but
permission having been granted by proper authority, boxes were placed in
the State buildings on the Exposition grounds in June, 1876. By the
prosecution of this plan some $90,000 had been contingently subscribed
when the inflow of subscriptions was arrested by unexpected action by
Congress in the matter. The "contingent" plan had been one of the most
successful the Society had ever pursued, and had given every assurance
of final success.
Deferring to the opinion of Lieutenant Marshall the height of the
Monument was reduced to 485 feet.
While pursuing its "contingent" plan of contributions, February 3, 1876,
the Society appointed a special committee, composed of Rear Admiral
Levin M. Powell (chairman), Hon. Walter S. Cox, Dr. John B. Blake, Dr.
Charles F. Stansbury, and Fred D. Stuart, to prepare and present to
Congress a memorial praying an appropriation in aid of its efforts as a
contribution toward completing the Monument.
February 6, 1876, Hon. George F. Edmunds offered in the Senate the
following resolution, which was considered by unanimous consent, agreed
to, and referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds:
"_Resolved_, That the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds be,
and it is hereby, instructed to inquire into the expediency of
making an adequate provision for the speedy completion of the
Washington Monument in the City of Washington, and that it have
leave to report by bill or otherwise."
February 10, 1876, Mr. Edmunds laid before the Senate a memorial of the
Society, presented by its committee, which was read and referred to the
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.
It being understood that plans were suggested in some quarters looking
to a demolition of the uncompleted Monument, and the, use of the
materials of it in the construction of a different style of monument to
Washington, at a meeting of the Society on March 30, 1876, among other
things, it was resolved "that all idea of surrendering the character of
the Monument or allowing the structure, as far as completed, to be taken
down, should be positively and emphatically disavowed."
In view of the resolution of the Senate of February 6th, the chairman of
its Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds received plans for
changing the Monument to a Lombard Tower, and for erecting an arch of
its materials. Bat the committee made no report.