Trustees Records, Vol. 2, 1854 (page 084)

84

an evil which would be likely to increase as the
population became more dense, it was very desirable
that the system should be changed, so far as it was practicable
to do so, & some place of interment be secured in the vicinity
of the City which should obviate the evil complained of. _

For these purposes the grounds now known as
"Mount Auburn" were obtained & consecrated.

An act of incorporation was granted by the Legis-
lature, giving certain privilesges to, & placing certain
restrictions upon the Corporation, one of which was that
the moneys received from the sales of lots should be ex-
pended for no other purpose than those stated in this
report.

It is obvious from the terms of the Charter that the
right to erect an expensive chapel, and furnish it with
splendid statuary, or other works of art, if it exists at
all, must be derived fro the authority to embellish the
grounds. _

An opinion has been given by one of the present
Committee, (Mr Curtis) that the Trustees do possess the legal
right, at least so far as to expend fifteen thousand dol-
ars for Statuary: which opinion is on the records of the
Corporation; and, as it has been accepted & acted upon
by the Trustees, it is not necessary here to discuss the
question, nor to say how large a field the word "embellishment"
appears to the undersigned to cover. _

If then it be assumed for the purposes of this discus-
sion, that the Trustees have the legal right, the next
question is as to the expediency of spending money for such
embellishments. _