Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-10-15
Mckinley Memorials.

6CNlHtey WeusVssa'S'
The flags, half masted for 80 days IN
memory of the martyred President,
now go hack to the trucA. Eat not
thus does the mourning OF the Nation
cease and not Yet is there an end.
nor will there he one through coming
wears. TO the honor done his name and
his life work. In his home state and
at the National Capital associations
have been formed. with The l2auihs
men OF the day ut their head for the
erection of fitting memorials; ana
suggestions to Z like end have been in
many of the great cities Of the coun-
try and even in London. All Of these
suggestions are excellent in general
idea. and most of them equally happy
in practical details. II is well for
those in charge, however. To remem-
Der that it il better 10 make haste
slowly in such matters for the
memorials must he permanent and
worthy the subject.
The great monument at Canton will
mortuary memorial, a tomb fit for the
last resting place of the sacred dust
which will be placed in its keeping. II
viii be a Nations shrine, as are the.
tombs at Mount Vernon and Spring
field. where, through coming genera
tons. the friends Of liberty will do loV-
ing homage 10 the memory Of him who
was liberty's martyr. But the fitting
place for the truly national RENE M
brance Of William Mckinley will te
the National Capital. and il is gen
orally regarded as a good suggestion
that il take the form Of a grand arch
at the Washington approach of the
Potomac to connect the city with Ar
lington.
1t will be recalled that at the special
9ession of the Senate held last March,
lust after President Mckinley was in
augurat.d for the second time. reso-
luton was passed authorizing the COM
mittee on the District of columbia 10
prepare and present comprehensive
plan for the establishment and future
park development of the city Of Wash
ington. This action was consequent
upon an agitation by Senator Mcmillan
in favor of a modern treatment Of all
the proposed plans Of establishment
of the city. involving either public
buildings or parks. boulevards and
bridges. AS q result of the missionary
work of Senator Mcmillan, Congress is
ready TO act, and the coming session is
likely to see the first steps taken in the
creation of a new Washington Of which
the country may well be proud and Of
Potomac memorial bridge connecting
the capital with Arlington and the
Mckinley arch may be the most
strikingly beautiful monuments.
AS the situation is. Congress can
easily act promptly. 1t will not be in
the dark as to the practical possibli-
ties. since the projected improvements
have been the subject of the specia
study of experts whose names stand
for the best work in American archi-
lecture and pari, work. At the re-
quest of the Senate subcommittee the
experts spent part of the past summer
abroad studying foreign capitals. and
they will report to Congress next
December the result of their investiga
tons. SO far as is known this report
will follow the general lines of Senator
McMillans plan. 1t includes, OF
course, the bridge, designed as a me-
mortal Ito American patriotism.
which vas the subject of a final repor,
to Congress on April .. 1900. by the sec
rotary of war, and which since the
action of the mass meeting in Wash
ington the other day takes on a new
interest.
The committee Of experts would
serve the country well. therefore. if il
their report to Congress they should
indicate how the accepted plan of thi:
bridge in connection with the the pro
posed Mckinley arch may be made t
commemorate the iIluStriouS dead
The people want to see nationa
memorial to Mckinley in Washington
and nothing would so populariZe tn,
proposed changes at the Capital a.
their connection with the martyret
Presidents name and fame