Evening star., 1908-12-23
MEMORIAL TO DR.. STAFFORD
ASSOCIATION Is FORMED TC
ERECT MONUMENT.
All Creeds Represented in Public
Movement to Honor the Dis
tinguished Priest.

With the object of erecting a public
memorial or monument to Rev. DR.. d. j.
Stafford, who for many years was the
pastor of st. Patricks Catholic Church
the Father Stafford Memorial Association
was formally organized yesterday at a
meeting of a group of prominent business
men and clergymen interested in the pro-
ject in the board room of the municipal
building.
The organization is the outgrowth of ar
informal discussion several days ago OF
the proposal to erect a Father Stafford
memorial among a few who were in favor
of it. District Commissioner West. who
had led the discussion at the former
meeting. called yesterdays session to
order
Explaining the reason for the gathering
Commissioner West said:
I'VE have assembled here this afternoon
to insure the erection Of memorial to
the late Rev. Dennis j. Stafford, who for
so many years served faithfully as pastor
of st. Patrick's Church. in this city.
1T may be said that the life and char
acter of such man is in itself the best
memorial, and yet, while this is true
there is. nevertheless, a genuine salts
faction In preserving for future genera
tions the durable semblance of the face
and figure we knew and loved so we'll and
inscribing upon its pedestal tribute to
his worth and deeds
In honoring the memory of great and
good man we are not bound by the limita-
tions of creed or birthplace. We meet
this afternoon, therefore, without regard
to religious belief. We stand together
upon broad plane of American citizen
snip, animated by the single purpose to dc
honor 10 man who represented the high
est type or intelligent citizenship. who
was patriotfcally devoted to his country
ana who contributed SO largely to its
moral advancement. He was an earnest
ana sincere man. whose mind was cast
IN a large and glowing mold and whose
heart beat In sympathy with every move
ment that tended to the uplifting of his
1eilow men. In this city where there are
SO many statues of men who achieved dis
tinction on the blody field of war it will
De especially pleasing to erect memorial
" d man whose career was sacred to the
sospei OF peace. who labored so inces-
SANITY Tor the progress Of religion and
morality, and whose word of counsel and
sympathy cheered the downcast and the
broken hearted
Here in the capital of the limited
states and within theSboundaries of the
parish which was his love and care il
Is particularly appropriate that his monu-
ment should be erected
Permanent Officers Chosen.
Ihe formal organization was then per-
fected by the election of Commissioners
West as president, Cuno H. Rudolph as
secretary and John Joy Edison az treas
urer. 1t was decided that the number
0f ha
not be limited. thus allowing those who
wish to help carry the project to a sue
cessful issue to become members. The
general direction will be in the hands of
an executive committee, which shall in
ciude the oHcers and seven other menu
bers.
Those present at yesterdays meeting
were Commissioner West, Commissioners
mcfarland. Bishop-elect Alfred Hard
ing. Rabbi Abram Simon. Rev. DR.. w. T.
Robert N. Harper. P. j. Haltigan, p. j.
Brennan, Rev. NJ Ross Fishburn. Rev.
r. ID. Power, Rev. Donald c. Macleod,
Rev. +. E. McGuigan. Thomas c. Noves
and Baron Haymerle, secretary to the
Austrian ambassador.
Among those who sent letters express
ing their sympathy with the movement
were Vice President Fairbanks. Attorney
General Bonaparte. Senator Beveridgo.
Surgeon General O'Reilly. Engineer Com
missioner Maj. Spencer Cosby and Milton
E. Allies.
In his letter Attorney General Bona
parte said
II am duly in receipt Of your letter
Of the 18th instant in reference to tho
proposed meeting to inaugurate the move
ment for memorial to the late Rev. D.
j. Stafford. 1t would be a source of
pleasure to me If l could attend such a
meeting. but l am afraid that, owing
to the very great pressure on my time,
l shall be unable to do so. 1 take this
opportunity, however to express my
qualification at the success already at
tanned in the work and my best wishes
for a most satisfactory outcome"