The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-01-12

Doyle, Hallowell Granite Company Lunt
Thompson and Clarence S. Luce.
The membership of the association has not
changed during the year, and is 1888, with
1928 shares of stock issued. The report was
accepted.
Mr.. Henry w. Hersey, the Treasurer, pre-
sented his annual report, of which the follow
ing is an abstract:
Cash on hand at last report ,355.S4
Receipts from interest and donations. 755.42
s16,111. .26
Expenditures. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1885
Balance on hand. ............ ....S15, 1897. 81
The report Of the treasurer was referred to
the committee on finance for auditing. Pres
ident Brown said that since the report was
written the fund had been raised to $4,000.
H. B. Brown, chairman of the committee
on design being absent, Mr.. f. 81. Fassett for
that committee, he said that their report
was virtually embodied in that of the execu-
tive committee. The committee on design
had solicited designs from artists of ability,
and had received among others two which
were considered fitted for the Market Square
site. The design submitted by Mr.. Clarence
S. Luce, a model of which was exhibited at
the meeting, seem to meet with popular ap
proVal. This monument would have height
of 56 feet from the street to the top Of the
figures, being nearly as tall as the United
States hotel. The enclosure in which the
monument would stand has a frontage OF 56
feet, about the breadth of the old City Hall.
This enclosure would be built of granite and
it is intended to have the name Of the SOL
diers and sailors carved inside it. 1t is in
tended that this enclosure shall not be open
at all times, but only on public occasions.
The design of Mr. Lunt Thompson has been
faVOrablV received and is Of merit III is Ar
feet in height and has no enclosure. A draw
ing of this design was exhibited, 1t consists
of q column sUrmOunted by bronze soldier
and sailor. Mr.. Fassett said that the com
mittee had received designs suitable for 9th
er locations than Market Square, but none
which would be suitable for either OF
the pr0menadeS.
description of the design by Mr.. Luce
has already been published. 1t consists Of a
shaft rising from the enclosure, surrounded
with battle scene in relief and surmounted
by three bronze figures of heroic size.
Mr.. p. III. Brown, of the committee on de-
sign read letter from Mr.. Luce in which
the cost of the monument is estimated at $25-
600, $4,000, for granite work and $4,000 for
the bronze figures.
President Brown said that before proceed
ing to the election of officers, the association
would be addressed by several of its MEM
bers. He said that the association was in a
peculiar position, with the money to erect
the monument, but with no site granted for
it. General Brown then called upon His
Honor the Mayor.
Mayor Deering said that the president was
aware of his position in regard to the site,
and he believed that a majority of the peo-
pie of the city of Portland demand that that
historic place be set apart for the monument.
The Mayor thought that there would be no
doubt as to the success of another effort to
secure the site by vote of the City Council
and believed the people would vote for it at
the polls, even If such action had no legal
effect. Mayor Deering assured the association
Of his hearty cooperation and thought had
there been public expression of the wish
of the people, the City Council would have
granted the site, notwithstanding the reSpec-
table opposition developed at the meeting
last spring. The Mayor trusted that some
active measures would soon be taken by the
association. The Fourth day 'of July next
is the centennial anniversary Of the town
and Mayor Deering hoped that the work
would begin then, if only by tearing up the
paving in the square.
Judge Enoch Knight was the next to
speak. He said that the fact that this site
was asked for by this large and representa-
tive association should be enough to secure
it from the city The efforts of the commit
tee have been aided by the desire of a large
part of the people to see this spot set apart
for the monument. If this monument was a
mere bit Of statuary it could be put in an OBJ
scure place, but here is public square oc-
cupied by a not-beautiful building, and
when the people see the design of this mag
nifcent monument the speaker would feel
aggrieved if they did not readily grant the
site. Judge Knight touched upon the in
creased value of property by the location OF
the monument in this square.
Hon. Henry b. Cleaves said that he had
not taken part in the discussion in regard to
the proposed site, but as a citizen would say
emphatically that he was favor of Market
Square; The appeal to the people has been
responded to with accustomed libeTality by
Portland people and the funds for the work
have been already collected. The statutes
of the State give its cities and towns author
ity to raise money for the erection of monu-
ments to the memory of its citizen soldiers
and the people of this city will sustain the
committee in their appeal. Names part in
the rebellion was glorious one. Her sons
died for their country and there was sorrow
for them among those who Staid at home.
Twenty years later the Association is seek
ing site for its monument, and the speaker
did not believe that the site would be re-
fused. Mr. Cleaves referred to the obJec-
tons made to the granting OF the site, and
said that objection onlhistoric grounds should
be forgotten when it is remembered that
were it not for the bravery of the sailors and
soldiers the historic value of the square
would be lost by the division of the country.
He thought that the improvement of prop
erty in the vicinity would more than offset
best to put the monument where it will be
most seen by the people and the citizens of
Portland, who sustained the soldiers In the
field, will not hesitate to pay this last act Of
gratitude to the men who went into the war
and did not live to see the North victorious.
The business men and tax payers will sus-
tain the Association, and also the mass of
the people, the men of moderate means, the
laboring men, the young men upon whom
will soon rest the responsibility of maintain
ing the government.
Hon. Wilbur f. Lunt was next called up
on and was referred to by the president as
one who was yet young but veteran of the
war.
He said that he recognized he was vet
eran when he saw around him a generation
of young men who had grown up since the
war. 1t is a wonder that no monument has
been raised to the soldiers during all this
time. The speaker had been opposed to that
site selected by the committee. He had
thought more of pleasant surroundings than
should have been the case considering the
intent OF those who are to erect the monu-
ment. Mr.. Lunt said that after consulta-
ton and reflection he was led to believe tnat
the committees selection was a proper one.
A monument in one of the promenaues
would be seen by people approaching tne
city, but seldom by those who are TO De con-
stantly reminded of the heroism of the war.
A monument in Market square could Do
easily protected from fire and also from acts
of vandalism. Mr.. Lunt then said that he
was glad that the monument could be erect
ed where he could see it every day. The
matter Of expense should not be allowed to
interfere with the choice of a site when it is
remembered that this monument will stand
for future generations Many of our soldiers
fought for fame rather than material re-
ward, and when the time comes in which the
young men should be agaiu called to take the
field such monuments will serve as incen-
tives to deeds of yalor and bravery. Such a
monument would be good investment from
monetary and patriotic point of view.
DR.. Gordon was called upon and said that
perhaps he had already talked enough for
favor of pushing the petition before the city
government, and believed that If forced to q
vote the council would have voted In favor
Of the site. Inquiries among the people
showed their desire to see the monument in