The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-04-22
An Artistic Mystery.

Congress has momentous question TO
settle when it shall have disposed OF the hu
Kiux Klan, the Senators unfrlendly 10 Sah
Domingo. and other troublesome matters
We aliude to the difficulty of determining
the status Of the great naval historical, his
torical-patriotic, tragical, comical, tragical-
comical. or otherwise, oil painting. which
was to have been flushed on the I'd utimo.
by Mr. Wm IL Powell. for the use and be-
hoof Of tie United States. Winnie Ream' Z
statue-we know where that Is, and Winnie
knows where the money is; but this time
honored 3piece of canvas Is wrapped, rolled
up, as it were, in the domino OF doubt. SlA
years ago, while war was yet wagIng, ana
the pulse of patriotism was at its highest
heat. Congress voted to commission tins
painter, Powell, to build picture for S25,-
600. which should commemorate, in proper
colors and dimensions. the daring deeds OF
the American navy; something when
should record in oil the bravery Of Our tars
on the water The money, which some may
think exorbitaut, though Powell probably
doesn't, was paid-S2 .00O down. $4,000
annually for four years, and $1,000 on the
completion of the picture. No provision
seems TO lave been made for the event OF
Powell's dying of old age before his task
should be fulfilled.
Having got his contract duly signed. Pow
ell went to work, and the price of paints
ana oils Immediately rose, in consequence
of tho "corner'' in the market consequent
upon his orders. Years rolled on, the navy
was all sold out at 90 per cert. discount,
the coed old admiral died. secretaries Of the
navy came and went. the war SCARED heroes
Of Fort Monroe aud New Orleans forgot
their earlier battles in the new warfare be-
tween the staff and line, and still Powell
plastered at his canvas, never emitting to
call at the sub-treasury for his yearly stl-
pend. Ia other words. he would draw a
ship and then draw his allowance. The
latest authentic advices received from Mr..
Poweu's enterprise were dated the 2lst Of
February. 1870, when John 4. Dix, Will
liam H. Aspinwall, aud other distinguished
New Yorkers, who had been detailed 70 re-
connoiter. reported tha drawing all done. "
(that is Of ships. not Of pay,) and the "col-
ors well laid on' requiring ''ouly the re
touching of light and shade to finish it.
They therefore recommended the immediate
payment Of another $4,000. il order that
Powell might retouch the light and shade
with ligh: heart and a constant conscious
ness of national appreciation.
1t must have been uncom monty bad
year for light and shade in the city of New
York, where the work has been going on,
for the Committee on the Library. to whom
a resolution OF Inquiry concerning this pic
ture was recently referred, report nothing
as to the whereabouts of this picture or the
artist. notwithstanding the five years allow
ed him TO complete his work expired six
weeks ago.
The questions are. where is Powell, and
.h;
turned into Fving Dutchmen and vanished
from the face of the deep-that is, from
Powell's canvas? Has Powell, on re
touching" his water view with the Light
and shade" aforesaid, made it so natural
that he has tumhed n.O it and been drown
ed Has the rivalry between the line and
staff of the navy for the honor Of being com
memorated by Powell waved SO fierce that
the canvas has been rent in fragments in
the struggle for possession. thus shlvering
the timbers and blasting the eyes Of every
bold mariner in the fleet? Has Powell,
having collected his SIS 600 Of the Govern
ment. carried ON his regular job business
besides. and finding somebody's $1,000 a
stronger inducement than the 1000 re-
manning due from the Government IF so,
how much, net has the Government made
be the transaction? If not, and if Powell
has refused to deliver his canvas without an
additional appropriation, (Which seems most
likely,) what proportion Of the whole area
of canvas will the Government he entitled
to cut off and appropriate to its own uses.
in indemuiGcation for its SIS 900 paid, and
interest thereon This. though a marine
affair, is not an international one, and can-
not probably come before the Joint High
Commission for arbitration. Some investi-
CATION should he made at once, and letters
Of marque ultimately issued, whereby the
Government may reprise. condemn, and take
possession of those fugacious
'-painted ships
Upon painted OCEAN"
Chicago Tribune.