The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-05-27
National Monument.

The following letter has been sent to
us by Mr. Thomas S. Stone, the Secretary
of the School Board.
DEAR Subtitle National Committee
| HAY inr in charge the erection of a Natio-
nal Monument to the men who went down
with the batteship Maine, has decided to
construct, underneath the monument, a
| special vault, in which it is desired to
place the signatures of all the pupils, in
all the schools Of the United States. or as
nearly all as it is possible by the means
| to obtain.
The Committee believes that this plan
| will 90 far towards intoxicating in the
school children of the country the patrio-
tic spirit which constitutes the basis of all
| free institutions. In many cases, classes
| and even entire schools have sent SubStan
| tial contributions. Should the total of the
scholars subscription be found adequate
| to the purpose, the Committee will have
some part of the memorial, probably the
| base or pedestal, constructed from the
| childrens contributions alone and record
| thereof made in the inscription.
But whether that be possible or not, it
| is most desirable that the proposed col
| lection of signatures should be made. 1t
| is the belief of the Committee that the
best and in the fact the only way to
secure these is to place in the hands of
every teacher in erery school, in every
state throughout the Uuion, blanks for
signatures by the children.
To accomplish this purpose it was decid-
ed to place the matter in the hands of the
chief officers of education in each state.
These gentlemen have taken up with
much warmth and at this writing we have
already secured the active cooperation
of "a State Superiendents of Education.
Among the number is the Hon. E. B..
Prettyman, of your State.
He has given the plan his hearty indorse-
ment and at his request we send you here
with by express prepaid blanks for distri
button among the schools of your county.
Additional banks will be cheerfully
furnished if needed.
1t is desired to have all the pupils sign
as nearly at the same time as possible.
In order to accomplish this, Thursday,
May 26, has been fixed on as Maine Day
in the schools throughout the United
States. We trust this date will be salts
factory to you. If consistent with regu-
! lations, the Committee suggests that the
teachers in submitting the blanks for
signature, hold some exercises of patrio
| tic character, and explain to their scholars
| why grateful nation unites to pay tri-
butte to the memory of the sailors and
marines who were slain in Havana harbor
while in the service of their country.
In case the children desire to make
contribution to the fund.- simultaneously
with the signing of their names, the
| amount of any individual contribution
| must be limited to TEN CENTS.
The children need not give a penny
| unless they so desire. The essential object
| is to secure ALL the signatures.
Hoping that you will give the matter
| the kindly and active consideration which
the nature of the object warrants, we are,
| Very sincerely yours,
NELSON A. MILES,
| THOMAS 0. SELFEIDGE, JR.,
SHELDON JACKSON,
CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEw,
FREDERICK D. GRANT.