Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-02-26


S greatest evils. We are placed, as it were
: between Scylla and Chary bids, and fsr.unat,
. VIII 81 hc Tor our cu3atry. ii some political nj
TT shall arise, who VIZ be so happy as Ia
mark out the channrl which divides these
c"nitc'ing political interests"
FIfGLtL2 LEGISLATURE.
tPK0cEEDiSGs OF THE HOUSE of DELEGATES
WASHINGTON MONUMENT
fnaoD FEB. 22.--The Speaker laid before
The House the following Communication from
The Governor, which OH Mr. Blackburn, mo-
ton, was ordered 10 be- printed:
February 2,st, 1899.
SIR: In compliance with the resolution OF
ilie House of Delegates of the 18th inst. en-
4u.iing what steps have been taken to carry
INTO effect the resolution of March 9th, 1872 /,
auihorislng the executive to adopt such mca-
surcs as may seem TO them expedient te at
tain, as faras is now attainable, the objects nj
The resolutions passed the 10th February,
| 1916, FOR the erection of Monument 80 the
Rate general George Washington, by v0lunia-
| ry donations of money for that purpose, now
make known To the General Assembly, that
no step has been taken within the last year.
for the execution Of the work contemplated
No step has been taken, because II. very large
| increase of the SUM before subscribed, which
amounts, as yet, only to thirteen thousand
and sixty-three dollars, was confidently ex-
pec.ed To be produced nv the effect of that re-
solution, which rescinded the original limiia-
ton OF single contributions To twenty dollars
As the year has passed away without realia-
inS that expectation, and ii was hoped that
some definite avOwal of the wishes OF the
General Assembly with regard 10 this subject
of SO much melancholy interest, would be
made, no measure has, yet, been proposed
for deliberation in council because, none but
proclamation, soliciting contributions, was
practicable. =,
Ii has been long known that the Riparian
attachment at the heir OF general Washington,
does not allow him TO permit the valued re-
| mains, which are coveted here with so much
enthusiasm, TO be removed from the banks of
Potomac TO those of James river. The St
puichre of Washington, therefore, cannot
have It's place in Richmond, and Cenutaph
must, of necessity, satisfy tn. public wishes.
The grand scale OF The buildings, which have
been erected here by the commonwealth and
OF that far more perfect ediice near them,
which will he memorial in distant ages oI
the highly cultivated taste and great generosi-
ty OF public feeling, prevailing in Richmond
at the time of lis construction, require. that
the Monument contemplated shall be IA struc-
ture, of dimensions Gar beyond the means
winch as yet have been provided. Otherwise,
1t must ever present To the eyes of I'LL behold
ers an unpleasant contrast, aud must produce.
| N Vrginian minds, feelings of humiliation at
the abortive effort TO do heaor To the memo
ry of our great compatriet.
Sculpture with its magical powers can dis
play on the marble of IA Monument, hy en-
bemalic figures the sublime qualities which
adorned the living Hero. and the great events
which united forever, the renowm of the pa
trloi, with the liberty, the glory, and the hap
pness OF his country, at the same time that
II exhibits Tue everlasting gratitude of his
countrymcn. But the genius and the skill hy
which alone design worthy of Washington
can be conceived and executed. belongs not TO
this nation. There lives Mt this time but on
man, Canova of Rome, who is equal to the
Undertaking. The recent concurrence of
North Carolina IN the general sentiment of all
| Europe, determines beyond question, that he
alone possesses the talent requisite for the pur-
pose intended here which requires sculpture
| much more than architecture
The humble participation in this lasting
| work, which falls to the lot Of tine annual
Chief Magistrate of that state which posses
SEES the eternal honor of Washingtor's birth,
so fortunate for all America, is certainly dc sir
ed with feelings of enthusiasm.
| But unmeanng mediocrty, and true subli-
NIFTY of expression, in the productions OF
! sculpture, are too near together for one who
possesses the smallest portion of genuine isie
to view with indifference the duty oftaking
my part in such undertakings.
| fla definite avOwa of the wishes of the
General Assembly ON this subject should moi
be made now, it is hoped at least, that an
authority will be- given Ia procure from Eu-
rope, for the Hall of the Legislature, with part
! of the funds in hand, the marble bust of
Washington, larger than the life, which WAS
made in the year 1881, in Philadelphia, by
! Ceracchi, a statuary who while living was
! thought equal TO CanOva himself. TO This
authority might well he added power TO res
tore tn all the contributors who have fallen into
| narrow circumstances since the period of their
contribution, the original arhouht of the duna-
ton made by them.
| have the honor 10 be,
| Sir, your most obedient servant.
! TIL: NJ. RANDOLPH.
The honorable Speaker elite
House Of Dclegates.
A communication from the Senate that
they had passed the bills" authorizing Will
liam Wood 20 erect toll bridge across the
| Rlvanna river : and " authorizing the EXccu-
tive To remove the stores from Fort Powlm-
tan, and to sell the buildings :"--also with "a
mendments, the bills Incorporating the Pc
tersburg Aqueduct Company - and "autho-
rizing the President and Directors of the
Board of Public Works to- subscribe for part
of the stock Of the Upper Appomattox Com
pany," &c. which amendments were agreed
to by the House.
report was taken up from the Committee
for Courts of Justice IN favor of granting 50
much of the petition OF " oodson and Staples
as prays that the gates. through which the
waste wafer from the public foundrry passes
may been larged; and rejecting the residue of
the said petitOn.-kgrccd To- by the House