The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-27
FOR A MEMORIAL ARCH.
Captain Coney Would Have 1t Span
State House Entrance.

Topeka, Kan, April q, 1908.
To the Editor of Topeka State Journal:
The proposition to apply the appro-
priation by the United States govern
ment to reimburse the state for special
contingent losses during the civil war,
to the erection and maintenance of
state soldiers and sailors memorial,
either in the form of monument or
hall is most commendable, and delights
me- as 1t has been a jealous ambition
Of mine for twenty-five years past, to
see such patriotic memorial built on
our beautiful state house grounds. 1t
| has been long neglected loyal duty.
| that this state owed to its large SOL
| der and sailor population who made
| this state what it is.
| The first movement for the erection
| of a state soldiers and sailors monu-
ment, was in 1864. which died out in
| 1866, and interest was lost in it until
our greatest soldiers and sailors re-
| union in 1885, when I initiated the
movement again as secretary of the
reunion committee and formed an or
| ganization with r. L. Cofran as presi-
dent, A. w. Knowles as treasurer and
myself as secretary. A charter was
| taken out, and a corporation formally
organized with the same officers, but it
did not accomplish much, the intention
was to sell certificates of popular sub
scription, but it was not pushed, and
became dormant.
| While department commander 1 de-
termined to revive the effort for state
monument or memorial arch, as orig
inaIly suggested by Colonel and Cover
nor John A. Martin, whose original let
ter have, outlining his design and
plan. In furtherance Of this raised
good committee and appointed that
ideal soldier and citizen general, and
lex-governor, Samuel J. Crawford, as
chairman I also after much thought,
research and extensive labor prepared
and had introduced into both houses a
bill providing for a commission to erect
a state soldiers and sailors monument
or memorial arch or hall, as they
i might determine to be the most appro-
pirate and, providing for it's dimen-
sions and extent and for an appropr1a-
ton of 5000, 900 to be obtained from
levy of 1-20 of one mill. This bill was
patterned after the Indiana law for the
erection of their fine monument. ana
after the Rhode Island law, for their
memorial arch. 1t is an excellent Dill,
and contains all the safeguards 1or
such a law. 1t was favorably consid-
cred in the committee Of ways and
means of both houses, to whom II was
referred, but failed of favorable action,
because of the vastness OF the expenol-
lures and appropriations by the leg1s-
lature at the time Of its consideration;
but had the positive assurance OF MI;
Leland. chairman of the ways and
means committee Of the house, ana n.
b. Miller, chairman Of the ways ana
means committee OF the senate, that
the bill should be favorably CONSIDERED
and recommended for passage at the
next session, If they were there OF hao
anything to say about II.
, NV preference is for memorial arcn.
such as recommended by ex-GoVerno.
Martin and Governor Hoch. Wouio
have II span the entrance to the state
house grounds, of sufficient dimensions
at the base. as to provide ample room
for the Grand Army OF the Hepuphc,
and its collections, and for all purposes
that thev might desire, and also to
, make a state military and naval as
. NAV or museum by the war Depart
ment of the state under the supervision
|, of the adjutant general. ana also 10
. nrovide on the opposite side OF the
i. arch. ample rooms for the state HIS
torical society, all of which could pc
. elegantly done in the most spacious
= manner. and thus add to the attrac-
|, tions of the state house and its grounos
go Furnish a permanent home for the
: ra1ics Of the Grand Army of the Re
: nubIic and the State Historical society
az we'll as enlarging the space ana Ia
| cilitfes of the state house, by vacatins
, a. of these two cherishable institutions
and thus providing more room Tor the
| extending offices required IN the STATE
house. ,+r;o+i,
Nv all means, adopt the very patrlotic
| Recommendations of Governor Hocn
,d annlv the money received from the
government to the base OF con-
strnction for a state soldiers ana SAIL
ors, memorial arch or hall, as provioeu
| Tor in NV carefully and prudentlaly
nranared bill. that is now pending Iu-
ture action by the legislature
lure "o P. H CONEY.
| mn G r.