The St. Johns herald., 1898-05-21
"MANE DAX.7
Thursday, May 6. Has Been SC
 Designated.

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 Hon. L R. Gibbons, County Super intendent of schools, of Apache county has received the following communica- tion from the subcommittee on schools of the National Maine Monument com- mittee:
 New York, May 7th, 1898 Hon. l.. K Gibbons County Superintendent of Education, St. Johns, Arizona. The National OF mittee having in charge the erection of a National Monument to the men who went down with the battleship Maine, has de- cided to construct, underneath the monument special vault in which tits desired to place the signatures of all the pupils, in all the schools of the United States, or as nearly all it is possi ble by any means to obtain.
 The Committee believes that this plan will go far towards intoxicating in the school children of the country the patriotic spirit which constitutes the basis of all free institutions. In many cases classes and even entire schools have sent sub- stantial 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
 
 ion.
 But whether that be possible or not, it is most desirable that tn proposed collection of sig natures should be made. It is the belief of the Committee that the best and in fact the only way to secure these is to place in the hands of every teacher in every sch ol in every state through out the Union, blanks for signatures by he children.
  To accomplish this purpose it V as decided to place the matter in the hands of the chief officer of education in each state. These gentlemen have taken the proposition up with much warmth and at this writina we have already secured the a@tiye operes.on of 94 State Sup eriutenGeuts of education. Among +he aus is the Hon.
 He has given the plan his b ar.v 1dor-sueut and at his request we send yo1 hero. \ - av- press prepaid blanks for distnounon among the schools of your county Additional blanks will D. .Checr,ully furnished if needed.
 It is desired to haze all the pupils sign @s 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 through out the United States. We trust this date will be satisfactory to you. If consistent with reg
 
 CTS in submitting the blanks for signature, hold some exercise of patriotic character, and ex- plain to their scholars why a grateful nation unites to pay tribute to the memory of the sail ors and marines who were slain in Havana mar bor while in the service Of their tOuntry. In case the children desire to make contribut- ion to the fund, simultaneously with the signing of their names, the amount of any individual contr button must be limited to teu cents The chi dren need not give 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 nat ure of the object wordnts, we are,
 Very sincerely yours,
 NELSON MILLS,
 THOS o SELFRIDGE, JR.,
 SHELDON JACKSON.
 CHAU >CEY Nj. DEPEW,
 FREDERICK D. GRANT.