The Worcester spy., 1899-07-29
ALL SIGNS RIGHT.
Time For the Erec-
tion of the Devens
Statue.
u
WHAT SENATOR ROE SAYS.
Aldermen Begin to Agitate
the Propo-
sition,
WHAT SENATOR ROE SAYS.

The Spy has rejuvenated the project
for the erection Of a statue of Gen. Dew
ems. From the slumber into which the
plan had fallen, it has been awakened
suddenly into new vigor, and on the
street yesterday discussion Of the pres
ent opportunity for the consummation
of the project was rife.
No objection can be found, nor has
any been expressed, against immediate
action on the part of the committee
of representative lawyers and military
men which has the furtherance of the
movement entrusted to its care. I'm
til the fitness Of the present opportunity
was presented forcibly to the commit
tee, there was little or no thought of
immediate action in the matter, but
now the opportunity has been present
ed, and it is found that public sentiment
favors it.
The long list of opinions of prominent
men, already printed in The Spy, could
: be indefinitely extended if any further
assurance were needed.
Hon. Alfred S. Roe, to whose efforts,
largely, Worcester owes the erection of
two of her four public monuments the
OOSt VI anu IndL Oh
Willie Grout, believes the present is the
time to go ahead. He has worked long
and tirelessly for the accomplishment
of the erection of Gen Devens' statue,
and is ready to make another deter
mined effort for the furtheranee of the
cause. He believes the court house
site is the most desirable, and in every
way the most appropriate location for
statue of the hero, and believes there
is no time like the present to take de-
cisive steps in the matter. Every
day of delay" he says, will but make
the accomplishment of the purpose in
the minds of the promoters more diff
cult. The public, as a whole, soon
loses sight of the history and virtues
of illustrious men. Unless his figure
is placed in a prominent public place.
the time is not far distant when not one
man in three will remember the supe-
rior genius of Gen. Devens, and his
memory is doomed to fade. All the
signs appear right for the erection of
the statue in the present awakening
of public sentiment. The money must
come from subscriptions, but could
never be raised by popular general sub
scription unless carried along wave
OF popularity. Personally, | would be
rejoiced at the accomplishment of the
project, or to see decisive action in the
matter"
Deputy Sheriff w. w. Scott. who
holds $103 toward the fund which was
raised over year ago, agrees with The
Spy that the time has come for action.
Ihe excellent place offered at the court
house, he said, would be most fitting.
Gen. Devens, although honored by To-
cal military men, was a judge of the
supreme bench and was best known in
worcester on Court hill. l believe that
with proper means and with the right
kind of effort, the raising of the neces-
sary fund would be easy of accomplish
ment, and / would like to see the move
ment begun anew
Alderman Philip j. O'ConneIl is
strongly in favor of erecting a me-
mortal in honor of Gen. Devens. He
considers the court house site most
appropriate location and favors the
adea of statue cast In the character of
9 Judge, as in his estimation Gen. Dew
60 attained more prominence in this
Character than any other. Alderman
OConnell is one of those who favored
placing the statue in front of the city
hail originally. but at present the loca-
tion in front of the court house meets
his approval.
The alderman also expressed an
opinion that funds necessary for such
memorial as has been contemplated
would be forthcoming without much
solcltatlon, as the cause is one in
which the general public would take
interest.
Henry Brannon, president of the
board of aldermen, is Of the opinion
that the court house location, for a
statue in memory of Gen. Deyens. is a
suitable place, and one altogether in
keeping with the character of the man
whose memory Is to be perpetuated by
the people Of Worcester. Mr.. Brannon
has favored the location at franklin
square, provided the fatiron building
was torn down, but at the present time
inclines to the court house site.