The Washington times., 1902-06-17
House Passes Resolution
for a Commission to
Build Monument.
APPROPRIATION OF $4,000
Shaft to Cost Half a Million-Mr
Richardson Named on Committee
When Objection Is Made TO the Mi
nority Not Being Represented.

Under suspension of the rules the
House yesterday passed a joint resolution
reported by Mr.. McCleary. Chairman of
the Committee on Library. providing for
a commission TO consist of the chairmen
of the Committees on Library of the Sen
ate and House. the Secretary of War, and
the Secretary of State, TO acquire plans
for the erection of a monument to the
memory of Abraham Lincoln.
The resolution carries an appropria-
tion OF S25. 600 TO be expended in the pro-
curement of plans for the monument.
Mr.. McCleary said that although the res
olution did not so provide, It was pro-
posed TO have the memorial erected in the
city of Washington.
Nj. Cannon Disapproves.
Discussing the proposition, Representa-
tive Cannon took further occasion to ex-
press his disapproval of the Parking
Commission, its work and plans. He
characterized the commission as a self
begotten child. born out of lawful leg
islative wedlock.
He would not oppose the passage of the
resolution, much less enter any objec-
tion 20 the erection of a memorial to
Abraham Lincoln, What he did object
to, however, was the proposition to place
the monument on the grounds near the
old Naval Observatory.
This, he said, he understood was the
plan of the Parking Commission. He OBJ
jected to placing the monument in such
an obscure place, or TO doing anything
which would tend to carry out the
scheme of the Parking Commission. Mr..
Cannon said he wanted the memorial
erected where everybody could see it, and
he believd that every member of the
House concurred in that sentiment.
Refers to Rawlins Statue.
He spoke of the Rawlins statue, hav-
ing been hidden away south of the
State, War, and Navy building, where
it was not seen by one in 1000 visitors
to Washington, and was subsequently
removed to a more conspicuous place
on the Avenue near Ninth Street.
From the fact that $4,000 was to be
appropriated for plans Mr.. Cannon said
he judged the memorial was to be a
suitable one. and that it would cost at
least 100000. He therefore wanted it
located in an advantageous position
where everyone could see it.
Mr.. Richardson Dem, Tenn said
he knew of no member on the minority
side who would make any protest
against the passage OF the resolution
or the erection of a monument TO Lin
coin. What he did object to, however,
was that the commission which is to
provide plans for the monument should
all be members OF the najirity party.
Lincoln, he said, belonged as much to
the members on the Democratic side as
to those on the Republican side. He
belonged to the whole country, and it
was unfair to the minority that they
should not be represented on the com
mittee. This statement was greeted
with applause.
No Politics in 1t.
Mr.. McCleary said there was no poll
tics in the matter, and he moved to
amend the resolution so as to include
Mr.. Richardson as a member of the
commission. The latter expressed his
thanks for the honor. and said the
amendment was in the right direction,
but he thought that the minority should
be represented by the ranking Dem
ocratic member of the Committee on
Library (Mr. McClellan).
Mr.. McCleary declared that he had
selected Mr.. Richardson because of the
tact that he was recognized as the Dem
ccratic leader in the House. and he
hoped that his modesty would not cause
him to decline to serve. Laughter and
applause -----.
Mr.. Richardson made no further OBJ
lection and the resolution was passed
li1-fcfnp