To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States:
The undersigned respectfully represent
to Congress that there is a general desire throughout the United
States that a national monumental memorial of William McKinley,
late President of the United States, should be erected in the
District of Columbia. The character of President McKinley, his
public services, his tragic death, require, it is believed,
this recognition. It was at first proposed that the money necessary
for the erection of such a memorial in honor of President McKinley
in the national capital should be raised by popular subscription,
and the William McKinley National Memorial Arch Association
was organized for that purpose. But upon the urgent representation
of the McKinley National Memorial Association, formed to secure
the erection by popular subscription of a monument at the grave
of the late President at Canton, Ohio, that the prosecution
of both appeals to the people would defeat both, and that the
Canton monument should have the first consideration, the William
McKinley National Memorial Arch Association withdrew from the
field of popular subscription. The only way under the circumstances
in which the general desire for a suitable memorial of President
McKinley at the capital can be gratified is by the action of
Congress. Your petitioners therefore respectfully pray for the
passage of the bill introduced in the Senate by Hon. James McMillan,
Senator from Michigan (Senate bill No. 2292), and in the House
by the Hon. James T. McCleary, Representative from Minnesota
(House bill 8753), which provides for a commission to select
a site and secure plans for a memorial arch in honor of William
McKinley, late President of the United States, to be erected
in the District of Columbia.
T MK
N M A,
WILLIAM R. DAY, President.
Attest:
F
S. H,
Assistant Secretary.
