The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-22

pensate CLARK Mills tor the execution Of the equestrian
square ia the city OF Washing on north OF the Executive
mansion, and make the The property OF the United
the President Of any money ia the no, other
wise appropriated when clear and satisfactory tile 10
| said statue shall be vested IN the United States.
STATUE OF AMERICA.
Mr.. CHASE. With the consent Of the senator from
Rhode Island desire 10 offer an amendment 10 the
amendment. lis 10 add TO il these words;
And he further OF sso,ooo, 10 enable him contract
with Hiram Powers Tor the pGfchsse OF the statue OF Amer
ca or other work works of designed by him
The PRESIDING OFFICER Does the senator from
Ohio offer this amendment from committee
Mr. CHASE. Yes, sir; BY direction OF the Committee
Mr. HUNTER raise the point Of order that the
Committee Public Buildings has right to instruct
any person but member OF that committee TO offer amend
menls.
| Mr. JAMES. | gave permission. as chairman of the
Committee on Public Buildings. 10 the gentleman from
| OHIO to offer the ame ndment
Mr. CHASE. would like 10 have the question OF
oider settled.
The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Nr BAposR) The
opinion OF the Chair is that what is meant by aPpro-
priaton being reported "by direction of standing
miee" is. that it must come from committee through
member of that committee That.has always been the
| custom OF the Senate.
| Mr. JAMES. Tnen, ask that the question be taken
upon the FIRST amendment.
The amendment was agreed 10.
/ Mr.. JAMES. l now offer, from the Committee on
Public Buildings, the mtndment proposed by the
tor from Onio TO add 10 the one just adopted the works
Aud the further sum Of thirty thousand dollars, enable
hun 10 contfact with Hiram Powers for the purchase OF the
sntue OF Americs, other work works Of designed
| by IN
MIR WALKER We have never seen The statue of
America, and understand that is merely composition
We have seen the statute for which appropriation has
Just been made, and the difference readily be esma
ted by those whose minds have reflected upon the sub
ject hope, for one that this appropriation will not be
made Whenever the statue OF America shall be brough
here and exhibited, and shall satisfy the judgment Of
Congress thai II Is work OF merit, then il seems to me
II will be time enough to provide for lis purchase Ii is
probable that it will be purchased by any other coun
try III understand the matter, it is not yet in the United
States, and no one has given any information upon
the subject We TO infer merely from the character
OF the artist that is work of merit For one should
like 10 see ii before the appropriation is made. and
should Ike that some committee OF the Senate should
| aud pass Judgment upon It,
| Mr.. CHASE. II will be remembered Mr. President,
that moved This proposition as amendment, TO the de-
hclency bill but upon The appeal OF the senator's from
| Virginia and California, TMessrs HuSTER and GwIN |
deeply interested IN that b withdrew IT, with the un-
Outstanding that objection would be made to when
offered TO the civil and diplomatic bill, Under what
seems TO be misapprehpnson as TO the rule OF order
obtained The direction OF the Committee Public Build
ings TO ofer this amendment at this time. IL had pre-
Committee on the Library. II mas, therefore, as high
sanction possibly be given any proposition be-
fore this body The technical objection TO it when offer
ed by myself is overcome by the motion of the chair
man OF the Committee Public Buildings, Just submit
ted under the direction of that committee. did sup
pose II would give rise 10 word of debate but mas
dcae the proprety OF the amendment, and | hope and
believe that alter lew words OF explanation the Senate
will agree to il.
is said that this work has received no sanction from
any compsent Judge. Well sir, have in my hand a,
this moment memorial in favor OF this work signed by
some OF the first names IN literature and in in
this country In that memorial the work is thus de.
scribed
"Me Powerss design has been to produce in marble an
imbodment Of the idea OF free and popular constitution
al government in the person Of America epresencd as
youthful emale OF auuess beauty, whose attitude and
expression well IN the Of the work, that
idea should be Indicated according TO the rules OF the high
est art The eminent talent Of Mr Powers sculptor
is acknowledged throughout Europe and America Il is
believed no name STANDS higher among living artists lie Is
himself under the impression, aud competent judges con-
cur In the opinion, that this work Is his ssccessu
\ efJrt"
! If this work be the most successful effort of Hiram
Powers what higher euosy be pronounced upon any
work And who are the euogists Ftrstis Edward Ey-
efeu, soon 10 become member OF this body, and now
presiding with distinguished ability foreign re-
lations OF this government Inc next is William N
Prescott known TO all The world by his literary abilities
and by his historical works. Then follow the OF
George fcknor, and Rulus Cboate, and Jared Sparks
aud. worthy TO close so bright list that OF Henry w.
Longellow. Now, SIR, such testimony from such wit.
Desses IS not enough 10 warrant this appropriation, |
should like 10 know what would be
But have, besides, report from the Committee on
Public Buildings OF the House describing this work more
at length, and giving the sanction OF decided rec
ommendauon IN lavor OF the purchase.
But, cir, is still further ufged-and TO meet this last
objection framed this amendmen-by some gentlemen,
II
10 be purchased by the government do not agree with
these gentlemen. Some OF the very highest achievements
OF art have been accomplished IN such works But, sir
to meet this objection, and 10 induce the Senate by
unanimous yote II possible, 10 award some commission
an artist who has conferred such honor his country
introduced alternative clause into the amendment,
leaving II optional with the President purchase the
statue already designed or some other work works
| OF this artist
/ will not detain the Senate. know how precious
l time is. only ask that the amendment may be voted
/ upon without any further debate.
Mr. COOPER. On more than one occasion, Mr. Pres
ident have done justice 10 the talents of the artist
whose work It is proposed 10 purchase Sir accord
br Powers genius OF particular kind and OF It's kind
very high IN character; but not al all convinced,
from anything that have seen, that he is equal
The production of work Of art ideal in its
ter In point of mechancsl genius, II may so express
lthat Is, IN hrs ability to finish work in the per-
iect mannepefhaps there no living artist who exoes
Mr.. Powers But | am not willing that we should pur.
chase work, and more especially group. which may
dscredil American talent much Others that
have hetetoioie purchased should like 10 this
i work before a purchase u made Although there are
great names recommending MIR Powers and perhaps this
particular production OF bs cbise II does not follow be
cause those gentlemen possess high political and literary
character mai they are competent to Judge Of works OF
au OF this kind and know II is vefy easy To procure
such recommendations even from eminent men, even
| when they are undeserved.
More than two years the petition OF artists
well acquainted with the gentleman in whose behalf Inc
appropriation was asked, Congress refused to grant ID
refer to the Application 10 employ Mr. Crawtord an
arust whose genius in the judgment OF the hes, .oon,s
both OF Europe and America, far surpasses thai of MIR
Powers. Yet we refused TO make an apptoptation IN
employ him, and think until we this IVORY and are
assured IRON inspection ot II that s wha II ia .latea
TO be- we ought not to expend money in The purchase OF