The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-29
HONOR BUFFERS MEMORY.
Proposition 10 Erect a Statue in the
State House Grounds.

Boston, Feb. 29.-The old Representa-
tiYes' ..chamber- at the State House re-
sounded with the praises of the late Gen
eral Benjamin +. Butler yesterday, at the
hearing before the committee on State
House on the bill to erect an equestr ian
statne of the hero of New Orleans. The
bill provides that the statue shall not
cost more than $4,000, and shall b.
placed in the State House grounds.
Past Commander Wilfred A. Weather
bee of the q. A. r., was the first speaker.
He said that Notwithstanding that the
last convention of the Grand Army in
Lowell Endorsed this proposition, he
did not feel authorized TO speak for that
organization other than as a comrade.
He felt that the erection OF a statue to
General Butler would show an apprecia-
tion of his services that would not have
any other tendency than to incite in the
young men sentiment OF patriotism like
o that which animated General Bu tier.
He felt that every voter of the State
would favor the bill, and he sincerely
hoped that 1t would pass.
Senator Roe asked Mr.. Weatherbee IL
he would put the figure of the general on
horseback, and subs squently remarked
that il this was done in all cases of erect
ing statues to Massachusetts, soldiers the
state House would in time look as though
il were surrounded by a regiment of cav
airy. Mr.. Weatherbee said that he had
no choice, but that he supposed that an
equestrian statue was most imposing.
Colonel Noah A. Plympton said that a
few years ago he had the privilege of
presenting to the Legislature of New
Hampshire, at lis request, portrait OF
General Butler, and that it now adorned
the Capitol at Concord. lie thought that
the State could do no better than to erect
statue to General Butler in the State
House grounds.
Major Charles A. Stott, ex-Mayor OF
Lowell, said that he spoke as citizen of
Dwell for more than 65 years, and as a
neig hbor of General Butler for a great
many years.
"When the petition was presented to
me-" said he, 81 did not hesitate for a
moment in signing it. for white General
Butler and myself had disagreed very
distinctly on political questions, | never
doubted his loyalty. / felt that General
Buffers position as soldier would
warrant its recognition by the commit
tee. 1t seemed to me that it was kind
ly. neighborly tribute / could pay to
this man.
81 believe 1 speak for the people OF
Lowell that they would generally approve
favora bic action on the part Of the Legis-
lature on this bill. IL we are to go a
step beyond that, 1 understand that a
petition has been circulated smong the
Grand Army. Now, l belong to a post
named after General Butler, but / don't
want to make this n q. A. II. matter ex-
clusiyely. Let this be distinctively
known as petition coming from the
citizens of the commonwealth"
Ex-Representative Robert i. Teamoh of
Boston, representing the Wendell Phil
lips club, favored the bill, as did Bnr-
rell Smith. a colored veteran and COM
mander of post 134, ex-Mayor Palmer
of Lowell and w. T. Kimball of boston,
who wanted an unmounted statue of Gen.
ersl Butter, and Marcus q. Cook of Bos-
ton and Colonel Everett &. Benton of
Belmont.
Frank Il. Sanborn of Boston said that
he did not appear in opposition to a
statue to General Butler, but he thought
that there ought to be some system in
this matter of erecting statues, else the
State House yard would be filled with
statues of great men to the exclusion of
men who were gr ater. lie wanted to see
statues to General Knox and Lincoln Of
revolutionary fame.