The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-27
MONUMENT TO GEN. GRANT
4 Scheme for New Method OF Commemorative
the Great General.

A Scheme for New Method OF CommeEior=;ias
the Great GeneraI.
Hon. John G. Policy, of Chicago 4 very clear
headed, able man, has written the following
letter to Commander-in-ChiefB urdett:
COMMANDMENTS Chief of GAR:
DEAR SIR: / desire through you to eOInmu-
nicate to the Grand Army of the Republic
what to me seems the best mode of commence
rating the virtues of Gen. Grant. Money -
pended on works of art addressed only to %
eye are worthy of approval, but if these -
made utility that shall journey down the s-es
helping humanity, there will be new par
ture" in monument building. This Is well
worth the serious consideration of the Organic
cation you represent
Found an institution of learning to be known
as Grant University" embracing the @ca-
demic, collegiate, and university course V %
every privilege of the institution, incl;s. g
rent of room, shall be free as air and suu7- IL.
Put it upon financial basis that will m.,> it
a worthy competitor of the oldest and strot. st
in the country. Let il be memorial f.e
virtue of Gen. Grant dedicated to the fire.
of the young men and women OF Ana =.
What an inspiration to a worthy amD
What help in building character into pTu:'sr-
tons OF symmetry and beauty! The first ,,ues-
ton is, can this be done? is it pOssiGIey L
answer yes; and this is the method: The tirand
Army numbers about three hundred thousand;
a contribution of $40 each raises $3,00J,000-
There are few old soldiers who would not be
glad to contribute that sum for such purpose.
If there is one, or if there are any, whose c.r-
cumstances would not allow it, there are also
many who would contribute more than 81
that any deficiency would be more than E;:,,ie
up. If this matter is taken hold of vigOroa1Iy,
the whole sum can be raised in 80 days
The next step is TO select site for the unl-
versity This should be chosen for its heath
and convenience of access, and should embr"ce
not less than 1000 acres the cost need NOS ~
coed $4,000. This should be opened W.. n
streets and parks. The streets should Il. %
severed and graded. This would make 2.''t0
large lots, all within short distance OF the bsI-
ness center. The lots to be sold on 20 years
time at six per cent. semi-annual intere5, D
parties who would improve immediate y
those not improving to make a cash payment
OF one fourth, aud the remainder on 20 = A.
time the interest to be payable semi-aunH .ts?.
Sold in this way to the class of customers nat
would gather about such an institution, .t.,tl
make the paper good, and bring an incouIo 80
years Thousands of purchasers could
brought together at an auction sale and az >
set price of $1,000 could be fixed. In sac.' =
subdivision there would, of course, be son.e ...,s
better than Others and a premium Sivei. .Cr
choice. 1t is entirely safe to estimate tn
turns from such sale at S3.000,000. OF COZ y
there must be judiciouS business manageiuva5.
The sale should be after the streets arc
proved and the work on the university bui Il
ings commenced. The location of the uli-
versity is important, and should be fixed whga
the matter is first presented. Illinois Is tie
State from which Gen. Grant enlisted, an: is
would be fitting to have the university lOess i
in that State; besides, there is more room / T
such au institution in Western State than
an Eastern. The COmmander-in-Chief OF J..e
GAR should be- eX-OfficiO, a member of tjss
board of trustees; also, ex-otficiO, the Clover sT
of Illinois. The first board of trustees ,,.i5
over nine) ought to be named by the prime
movers iii the enterprise; after that the -
pointments might safely be trusted to the jus
tees of the Supreme Court of the United Sta'e'.
In the initial work much would depend u!.Ol
getting the right men interested. The fun )
contemplated will be adequate to erect tas
necessary buildings, make all Improvements on
the streets and grounds, and provide sufficient
stated revenue to pay professors and a cor;.s Of
teachers to accommodate 5000 students. Sa.l
an institution would be fitting monumep, 1t
the memory of the great man whose deaf, S
mourned by the civilized world.
This, of course is only crude outline of ny
plan; to me it seems practical. and the time -
act is now, and you are the one to bring it 30
the attention of the patriots who have honor
you with the highest place in their organi:L-
ton.
l hope you will carefully consider the sab
ject of this long letter and give il the support
of your personal influence.
Very truly, yours, JOHN c. Policy.