Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-27
[From the Philadelphia Inquirer1

u
W whose direction as Attorney
General in Governor Edwin
S. Stewards Cabinet the Capitol graft
prosecutions were successfully con-
Quoted, it develops, is the author if
the bill introduced in Harrisburg last
week by Senator A. F. Daix, Jr., for
the erection of statue of Andrew
Gregg Curtin in the rotunda of the
Capitol.
This proposition to honor the mem
ory of the great. war Governor of
Pennsylvania, who was affectionately
known as the Soldiers Friend" is
already being favorably commented
upon.
Mr.. Todd has taken the matter up
with Governor Sproul and it is pro-
posed to have members of the Legis-
latpre impressed with the sentiment
in favor of the BILL, which names
the Board of Commissioners of Pub
lie Buildings and Grounds, not only
to select the artist and have the
statue erected, but also to take
charge of the ceremonies incident to
it's unveiling. The sum of 100000 is
appropriated to cover all expenses.
Governor Sproul is chairman of this
board.
Il am advised" writes Mr.. Todd.
that the Military Order of the Loyal
Legion, of which Governor Curtin
was an honorary member, will pass
resolution approving of the pro-
ject and many Grand Army posts
in the State will take similar action.
1t is fitting and proper that this
statue should be erected in commem-
Grafton of the very great services of
Governor Curtin during the Civil
War. 1t was due to him, and to him
alone, that the PENNSYLVANIA Reserve
Corps was organized and was able
to march to Washington to protect
the capital after the first Battle of
Bull Run, which was so disastrous
to the Union cause. He was known
through the United States as one of
the great war Governors and his
name was continually coupled with
those of Governor Morton, of Indiana
| in rendering most efficient service in
the suppression of the Rebellion. He
was also largely instrume entail in es-
tabishing the Soldiers Orphans
Schools, which after the war were
so useful in looking after the educa-
ton of such orphans.
The erection of this statue" con-
cludes Mr.. Todd, will be an inspira-
ton and encouragement for those
that are to come after in the perform
ance of public duty"
Senator Daix has received num-
ber of letters from prominent citizens
cordially endorsing the bill and is
taking an enthusiastic interest in the
measure.
Colonel Alexander X. Mcclure,
than whom no one in public life was
more intimate with Governor Curtin,
in relating incidents of Curtin's sec
ond campaign for election to the
Governorship. spoke of the fear
among Republicans of the loss of the
election by reason of the fact that
Pennsylvania soldiers then in the
field could not vote. Most of these
men, it was believed would have
supported Curtin. Wayne MacVeagh
of Chester county, was chairman of
the Republican State committee, ana
although he was looked upon by
many as a high brow" inclined to
literary work rather than that of a
practical politician, he surprised
every one with his tireless energy
and executive ability and he built up
a very efficient organization. His
work was carried on with a degree
of perfection that has rarely been
surpassed in political management.
The $4,000 soldiers in the field"
wrote Colonel Mcclure. were gener
ally devoted to Curtin. They had
learned to accept him and speak of
him as the soldiers friend. Every
Pennsylvania in the field, however
humble, who addressed the Governor
on any subject. however. trivial, re-
ceived prompt answer. bearing the
Governors signature. and always
heartily aiding the soldiers wishes or.
fully explaining why they could not.
be acceded to. The Pennsylvania
soldiers sick or wounded in q hospi-
tai, even though they were far off
in the Southwest, felt the sympa-'
thetic touch of Curtin's devotion to
the soldiers by the kind ministration
of the Governors special agents as
signed to the task of caring for the
helpless in the field He had an
nounced his purpose to have the
State declare the orphans of the fall
en- soldiers to be the wards of the,
Commonwealth and had won the
personal affection of the soldiers byl
this practical devotion to their in
terests
State Chairman Maeveagh solved
Ithe problem of making the influence