Evening star., 1902-08-12
The Mcmillan Memorial.

The suggestion by Commissioner Macfar-
land in the course of an interview printed
in yesterdays Star that some form of me-
mortal to the late Senator Mcmillan be
erected in the public parks of Washington
commends itself to the hearty approval of
the people of the District, who with one
accord now mourn the death of that most
valuable friend of the capital, The idea
has been seconded by prominent Washing
tonians and is likely to take root strongly
and quickly. as its appropria teness is ap-
preciated From point of view this
memorial might properly be provided ex-
clusively by the citizens of the District,
and they would doubtless take great pride
in contributing to such an enterprise. But
in the broader sense, that in which Wash
ington has of late years been regarded by
such wise legislators as Senator Mcmillan
and in the spirit in which he wrought and
so enlisted the aid of men of national re-
nown, this memorial should be the gift of
the whole country. Washington included.
The District today is regarded. as never
before, by the people of the states as their
peculiar concern. After many years of
neglect it has come into it's own place as
the republics city. Stimulated by the
works of such men as the late chairman
Of the Senate District committee the peo-
pie now take pride in what has already
been accomplished here on a large scale
to develop the possibilities of the capital
The projects fostered by Mr.. Mcmillan for
the completion and elaboration of the park
plans have attracted a degree of attention
throughout the country before unknown in
matters affecting Washington as a city.
Today in newspaper comments upon his
y,
upon this work of his of national I'm
portance, not to be regarded lightly as
merely of a municipal nature.
Thus it Is that whatever is done toward
concentrating his name and services in
some monumental creation should be on a
large scale. larger than would be possible
with the District alone undertaking its
provision. There need be comparatively
little doubt as to the willingness of Con-
gress to adopt the idea in liberal spirit.
Few men who ever sat in that body have
won the degree Of respect and admiration
and even affection with which Senator Nc
MILAN was regarded by his colleagues.
While some of his projects for the better
ment of Washington did not meet with en-
tire approval at all times in both houses,
being too progressive for some Of the lead
ers to indorse Immediately, their value was
always generally recognized and the spirit
in which he entered into their prosecution
was appIauded.
Detailed suggestions of the character and
the site of such a memorial will not be
lacking as the breadth of Senator McMil-
lans work is fully appreciated. Art will
readily lend itself to the production of a
commendabIe design, characteristic of what
he did and planned for in the District.
There are numerous suitable places for
such a creation. 1t should, however have
some relation In its empIacement to the
grand work on which he was engaged dur
ing the last years of his life. the develop
ment of the parks and public building
equipment of the capital. 1t might appro-
priatey stand, for example Immediately
in front of the new municipal building. for
which he strove diligently and with final
success for many sessions. Or it might
adorn the perfected Mall. Or it might
of the beautiful station projected by the
Pennsylvania railroad suggestive of the
Crowning of the many sessions of diligent
labor in behalf of this satisfactory solution
of one of the Districts most perplexing
problems. Whatever the design and
wherever the place. the memorial to Mr..
Mcmillan should be on a proper scale and
should signify the sense Of Indebtedness
which the people not only of Washington
but of the whole country feel toward him
whose best years were largely given to
the commendabIe, patriotic work of bring
ing the national capital to high state of
perfection