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Show STATUES OF PUBLIC MEN Tho demand for statues for public men grows moro active as American history dovelops. Thero will bo universal satisfaction that tho ?300,-000 ?300,-000 for a memorial for President Mc-Klnley, Mc-Klnley, to be erected nt his birthplace, birth-place, nt Nllos, Ohio, has just been rnlscd. Hut many efforts to securo marblo perpetuation of fame aro less worthy. As a general proposition this form of commemoration Is most wholesome It suggests that n stato or a city has a back ground of history, his-tory, that It has raised patriotic and brainy men who have contributed to thu happiness of future generations. A good denl of tho statuary set up In our public places has not been well planned or executed. Somo of our departed de-parted heroes have been rigged up until tho last trump, In tight fitting clothes of marblo or bronzo unllko anything they ever wore when nllvo. Somo of tho sculptors havo thought modern clothes Inartistic, nnd, thmo ore instances of modern characters ilggcd up In the flowing robes of 2000 years ngo, with their nrms and legs left bnro to tho chilling breezes of American climate. A good many politicians nnd soldiers sol-diers of mediocre reputation have had commemoration In statuary, while philanthropists, scientists, poets, writers nnd educators who havo conferred con-ferred moro lasting benefits are Ignored. Ig-nored. There Is often a good deal of politics In getting money for a statue. The abovo doos not apply In any way to tho memory of President Mc-Klnloy Mc-Klnloy who Is entitled both by his distinguished enreer, his long public service and his high olllce, to this form of commemoration. Hut as a general thing It can be said of tho public statues In American city streets that tho talkers and fighters aro fully honored, while tho lenders of thought and creators of great Ideas aro often overlooked. |