Evening star., 1909-06-07
FIGHT OVER MEMORIAL
Controversy Regarding Statue
of the Late Senator Quay.
SCULPTOR WANTS HIS PAY
Location Of Figure in the Capitol
Grounds at Harrisburg Opposed.
FACTS ABOUT THE "PENNSY"
Not a Passenger Killed Last Year.
Nearly ~ Per Cent of Stock
holders Are Women.
SCULPTOR WANTS HIS PAY
FACTS ABOUT THE "PENNsY'
BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence Of The Star and the
Chicago Record Herald.

Special Correspondence of The Star and the
Chicago Record Herald.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. June ), 1909.
In 1905 the legislature of Pennsylvania
authorized the erection of a statue to the
late Matthew Stanley Quay, former
United States senator from this state, and
appropriated S2OOoO to pay the expenses.
Gov. Pennypacker appointed commits
sion. consisting of David A. Lane, the re-
publican boss in the city of Philadel-
phia; ex-senator j. Donald Cameron
and Samuel Moody CT Pittsburg, to look
after the matter. and they made con-
tract with Carl Bitter. the we'll known
sculptor of Weehawken, \. j. The statue
was completed last November, and is
awaiting orders for shipment at the
sculptors studio The sculptor has pre-
sented a bill. properly approved by the
commission, for a balance of $4,000 still
due him, but Auditor General Young
refuses to pay it because it includes the
expense of placing the statue in it's per-
manent position. Bitter threatens to
bring suit against the state of Pennsyl-
vania fer the money due him, although
there is not the slightest doubt he will
receive his payment in full whenever the
board of public grounds and buildings in
Harrisburg decides where the statue shall
be placed
The original resolution provided that it
should be erected somewhere in the capi-
tol grounds. but there has been decided
opposition from the public generally, be-
cause they do not believe that the late
senator, although most skillful and sue
cessful politician. was Of the character
and distinction which entitle a man to
such an honor as Is proposed. On the
ether hand. the members of the organi-
zation"-the active republican leaders
do not think it prudent to expose the
statue to the danger of being defaced
or otherwise maltreated, as II certainly
would be If the commission defy public
opinion by erecting 1t in the capitol
grounds. There has been no formal pro-
test. but great deal of private objection
and criticism has been offered. and many
of the admirers and friends of Senator
Quay have urged the commission to put
the statue carefully away until a new
generation, who knew not Quay, may
come upon the scene. Thus the storm
of criticism and remonstrance which is
sure to follow the act may be avoided
and the family may be protected from the
modification which they would undoubt
edly suffer.
1t Is understood that Senator Cameron
and Mr.. Moody are willing to take that
course, but Mr.. Lane, who is chairman
of the republican city compittee. dares
not face 1.-The machine with any such
cowardice. He declares that Senator Quay
was as big man as Daniel Webster or
Benjamin Franklin, and as good man
as William Penn or Gen. Grant, who
have statues erected to their memory.
He will not listen to any suggestion that
may be construed as rejecting on the
memory of his former chief, and is in
clined to force the situation.
In order to avoid any possible danger
that the statue might be defaced, the ad-
mirers of Senator Quay secured the pas
sage of resolution last winter directing
the state board OF public buildings to
place it in the rotunda of the new capi-
tol. Gov. Stuart. who is thorough 'or
ganization'' man. but believes that it is
mistake to revive the controversy over
Senator Quays character and conduct, re-
fused to sign the resolution. but would
not veto it. and it became a law without
his signature. If he had his way the
statue would be placed in the crypt of
the new capitol and allowed to remain
there for quarter of a century.
Auditor General Young. who is anti-or-
gamza ton. is Of similar opinion, and
other members of the state board of pub
lie grounds and buildings are not in
clined to face the storm of criticism
from the anti-machine portion of the
population. Therefore they are taking
refuge behind techncality. Auditor Cen
eral Young asserts that the commission
appointed by the governor was never
confirmed by the senate, and has no legal
existence. therefore its contract entered
into with Carl Bitter was unlawful and
unauthorized by law And even IL their
proceedings had been legal, the contract
provides that the sculptor shall not be
paid until the monument is complete, the
pedestal erected and the bronze figure
placed upon it.
And there the matter stands at present
although it is generally assumed by
everybody that the statue will ultimately
be placed in the rotunda of the capitol.
Stockholders of the Pennsylvania.
The recent stockholders meeting Of the