New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-21
UNION TO HONOR PAYNE
Memorial Being Erected TO inc
Author of Home, Sweet Home.
TO TAKE FORM OF GATEWAY
George P. Baker, of Harvard
Will Make Dedication Ad-
dress on June 10.

Schenectady. n. Y. May 2O-The memo
rial to John Howard Payne. author OF
Home, Sweet Home" now being erected
on the campus Of Union College, where ne
spent his student days something over one
hundred years ago. will be dedicated III
commencement week, probably on June Is.
DR.. George Pierce Baker, professor OF Ora
matte literature at Harvard University
will deliver the chief address.
The memorial is a gateway. which IS De-
ing built at the entrance to Library Lane,
one Of the most attractive roadways on the
campus.
The gateway has been designed by George
p. Post G. Sons. who are the landscape ar
chtects for the college. 1t will be ninety
feet in width and the pylones VIII be iive III
number. The central pylon between the
two driveways will be eighteen feet IN
height on the outer face OF this central
pylon will be a niche containing bust u
the poet and on the inner face Will be IN
scribed upon a bronze tablet the simple
words Of the song that probably Is more
widely sung and more loved than any other
song in the world.
The idea Of n college memorial to Payne
originated at the annual dinner OF the
Union College Alumni Association OF New
York City a year ago, when c. f. Frank
lin 81. enc OF the assistant superintendent
OF schools in New York CITY, suggested
that the centenary of Paynes college days
AT Union be observed by the erection OF
fitting memorial. The proposition met with
such enthusiastic Endorsement that the toi-
lowing alumni committee was appointed 10
have charge OF the plan:
DIR George Alexander, &c. pastor OF the
University Place Presbyterian Church,
New York City; DR.. Frank Bailey, 3d. or
Brooklyn. vice-president OF the Title GUAR
antee and Trust Company; Dr. charles A.
Richmond, president of the college; Homer
Green. 20. of Scranton. Penn: Condo Ham
lin 81 business manager OF Inc New orR
Tribune: c. T.. Franklin, 50, OF Elmnurst.
Long Island and George 1. Hughes' 90 u
'Teslie's Weekly"
Ar first il was intended that the sub
scriptions for the gate should come from
I,rion alumni alone, but so much interest
was taken in the project by other ad-
n,irers of Payne and his song that an
honorary committee also was appointcc
as follows: Joseph II. Choate, EXAM
baSSddOT
Of the United States Supreme Court: Dr
Hamilton w. Mabie. editor OF Inc ou'-
Look. ST. Clair McKeway. editor of the
Brooklyn Eagle; DR.. Henry van Dynv'
of Princeton, and Joseph E. Ransde"'
member of Congress. OF Lake PROVIDENCE
| La.
Already such interest has been SHOWN
in the undertaking, both by Union Oo'-
lege alumni and by others who feel that
they owe something TO the memory vi
John Howard Payne and to the sweet
influence Of his song, that ~ Is quite
possible that a greater sum may be real
lied than the cost Of the gateway III
which case this surplus will 60 toward
the establishment of a chair OF Engnsh
poetry at Union College.
John Howard Payne was born in Ne"
York City in 1871, but most OF his poy-
hood was spent at East Hampton, Long
Island, and later at Boston. lie entered
Union College at the age OF thirteen ana
after a brilliant but rather erratic course
he was obliged 10 return home on account
c the death Of his mother
In 1912 he was appointed consul at Tunis'
There he died. in 1852, attended by TWO
Sisters Of Charity and Mahometan man
servant In 1888, through the influence OF
President Arthur himself Union alumnus'
Pavne's body was brought 10 his native
country and reinterred at Washington
Although there has been much error and
misconception in the popular stories that
PAYNE was tramp and pauper' IL i
true that during his wandering HE ne
never had a real home after he left col
lege. II is eminently fitting. therefore,
that the college which was the last home
OF the author OF Home, Sweet Home
should honor his memory.