Goodbye Gov. Glick; Kansans like Ike

0 Comments | Insight on the News, June 10, 2002 | by John Elvin

Each state is allowed to provide two statues for the impressive National Statuary collection displayed throughout the corridors of the U.S. Capitol. Most states filled their quota in the first 50 years or so after the establishment of the collection in 1864. Today some states, it seems, aren't too happy with the choices of yesteryear. Legislation was passed a couple of years ago to allow the states to reconsider their choices, and Kansas is the first to jump at the chance. The Sunflower State is going to replace its two statues with folks of greater stature.

At the moment, Kansas is represented by George Glick, who served one term as governor back in the 1880s, and senator John James Ingalls, who gained fame in his day as an abolitionist newspaper editor. Glick will be replaced in January 2003 by a $250,000 bronze statue of President Dwight Eisenhower, depicted in his general's uniform addressing the troops prior to the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II. Later, according to a report in the Kansas City Star, a Missouri newspaper, Ingalls also will be replaced by another more famous Kansan--aviator Amelia Earhart.

One other state now is planning to switch statues, according to the Star's account. Alabama has decided that congressman Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry has got to go, and in his place will stand the remarkable Helen Keller. Three other states--New Mexico, North Dakota and Nevada--still have but one statue each in the Capitol collection. All are said to have plans to fill their second spots with statues of American Indians.