New-York tribune., 1890-08-08
THE GRANT MONUMENT.
A SCHEME FOR A UNIVERSAL POPULAR SUB

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: A duplicate OF this communication is sent TO
the Governor of each Of the states that did not ecede
in 1861, and to those Of the States that have since
been admitted, and also 10 the Governors OF all te
Territories.
Its object to suggest proper and practical method
OF accomplishing what the people have long ana
earnestly desired viz: to perpetuae the memory ana
great deeds Of greatest soldier, Ulysses s. Grant,
by a suitable monument
To do this. ! suggest that on Wednesday, OctoDer
next in every school district in all the States and
Territories referred to- opportunity shall be given for
every man, woman and child 10 contribute nall a
dime each for that purpose. That no one however
rich shall be allowed TO give more except in cases
which II is TO be hoped will be very rarc-of people
being too poor 90 give even that small amount then
Others in the district state should be allowed
TO make up the deficiency. Surely. patriotism and
pride Of locality Will insure the full collection III
districts and states.
1t is manifcstly improper and rcpugnant to the feel
ings Of the common people that few rich men should
build monument to General Grant, but the spectacle
of all the people uniting and contributing to tile work
would be a most gratifying one and unique Ill all
,ries and in all times. IL placcs-as Is proper III
such wark-thc banker, the merchant and the capi
talist on a level with the poor and the lowly, and
the President and his Cabinet and members Oh ooh-
gress with the toileIs all over the land
The population in the Tertiary referred to can
not be less 45O00000 and at the rate named the
collection would yield s2,250,O00. giving S2oo.0O0 for
grading and foundations and substIuctureS, ana
81, 100000 for the monument proper
\ work extensive this and Of such char
acer and for such object, appealing as il does to
every individual. should properly lie inauguraed by
the Governors of the several states, and | suggest
that simultaneously some day TO be named by the
Governor of the state Of NewYorlI proclamation or
some proper form of calling the attention of the
people of the states TO the matter. aud naming the
day or DAYS for its execution, would, beyond ques-
tion insure its success. II would remove forever
stigma now becoming hard TO be borne. from the
richest and most patriotic people on the
face of the earth. .
believe that the money. when collected. should
be put I'm the care of the Treasurer Of the United
states That the President OF the United States would
be the proper person 10 appoint committee TO ad-
vcrt>c for pass upon designs, he holding revisory
power in all cases, whether Of designs contracts,
and the money only paid out his check or draft.
Permit me say in closing. that believe that the
City of Washington. ID. c.. Is the proper site for
General Grants monument.
Permit me add further. that / believe most
earnestly that the people of the United States are not
only willing but very anxious to erect a monument TO
General Grant. That It would be libel upon them
to doult their entire willingness 10 give for that pir
pose the small sum named The success Of this pro-
ject then. will depend upon its proper Inaugural
lion and the carnestncss and energy with which bS
ness men and those who usually lead in community
shall interest themselves in the work.
LUCIUS BRIGGS.