MONUMENT COMMISSION.
The Matter of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps Memorial Hall Referred to the Attorney-General.
The Board of Commissioners on Gettysburg Monuments held the first of a two days' session yesterday in the rooms of the United States Club, Chestnut street below Fifteenth. General John P. Taylor, of Mifflin county, presided, with Major Samuel Harper acting secretary. The only member of the commission not present was General J.P.S. Gobin, of Lebanon.
The consideration of the proposition of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps Association to blend the $1500 appropriation made to each of the fifteen regiments and build a Memorial Hall was the first business considered. Favoring this plan, written argument was presented by General Hutchinson and Professor Hamilton, and oral argument made by ex-Governor Curtin, Dr. Atkinson and Judge Henderson.
After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to refer the matter to the Attorney General of the State for his opinion respecting the legality of combining the appropriations. The Reserve Corps includes twelve regiments of infantry, the Bucktails Rifle Regiment, the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, Battery B and the combined Batteries F and G of the First Light Artillery Regiment.
The plans and erection of the following monuments received the approval of the commission, and where the cost was in excess of the $1500, appropriated by the State, the Regimental Association pays that excess:
On hundred and-sixteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, cost $3105; the One-hundred-and-fourteenth, cost $1525; the One-hundred-and fiftieth, $1500; the Eighty-eighty, $2500; the One hundred and fifty-third and Seventy third, $1550 each; and the Ninetieth, $1500. The plans submitted by the Ninety first and One-hundred and eighteenth Regiments were laid over.
Favorable action has now been taken on thirty-four of the eighty-one commands entitled to memorial monuments out of the sum appropriated by the State. Two regiments, the Eighty-fourth and One-hundred and second, were detailed to guard wagon trains during the battle, and are therefore included in the appropriation. Of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps four of the regiments did not take part in the battle.
At this time there are but twelve of the old Pennsylvania regiments without veteran associations. In the event of these failing to organize and present plans for monuments by June 15, the law says the commission must provide suitable tablets to mark the positions of those regiments in the engagement.