The New York herald., 1874-10-27

painter or sculptor; so that the facts am about
to lay before you given rather with the view ia
AFFORD the public a knowledge OF "both sizes OF the
story than for any private and selfish purpose. 4
believe that they win not be uninteresttng to
American artists and lovers OF art
IL Is known to few that there will be several
important applications made to Congress during
the approaching session for appropriations for
works ofart. both in painting and sculpture. 1t IL
SAID that artists are seldom "wise." Now, In re-
gard to painters and sculptors who are not art
sts' are they deserving OF that severe criticism
Already the sage ones have taken time by the FORE
lock. Wheels and wheels within wheels, nave
been set In motion TO bring about unmentionablo
results. even Congressional committees and
prominent members OF both Houses who are sup
posed to be well acquainted with such matters
are YET Ignorant OF the mysterious influences
which are at work weaving q silken coil for
their capture Among other things the competi-
tion for the Farragut statue Will revive without
fall this winter under the management OF the new
committee. IL ia to be hoped-I say It boldly
that the new competition will be conducted more
honestly than the last, and In q way that. were
the Straightforward old sailor himself living. he
would unhesitatingly approve.
tribute to his memory. None OF US can afrord 10
II made the occasion OF dishonorabie avorisism
am not At iu AZ e aHprSpI1son 1
the former little comedy, known as the acompeti-
tive vS.s exhibition" the compettors we're Nessrs.
Randolph Rodgers Ezekiel. the two Kessrs. Mills
V,nn;. lsons q cark NILS, Horatlo stone ana Miss
some one OF the public squares IN the capital,
every one, OF course. Ielt anxious and
Lands and Public Places IN small room Of the
ast or vere os he the hs
the statuettes were arranged. AZ Q consequences
the right side OF each statuette was IN shadow.
This OF itself, was most unfortunate, as the right
side OF Admiral Farraguts lace was the weaker
one from the scu!ptor's point OF view. Each OF
the exception OF MISS Ream, whose study was Of
the heroic size. This occupied position In the
right hand corner - as the visitor entered. Mr.:
he refused to send II to the general exhibition as
having been the first to suggest the appropriation.
longed to him. The committee did him the honor
to wait upon him at the Navy Yard, where he had
as in che other instances Served their dsosion. sion
PREVIOUS to the DAY appointed 10y the judges lor.
.ne nnan Hr anu Tue @ IoTm on
public. All could visit the room at their pleasure
then: After this time everybody save Mas Ream.
and her assistants were excluded. Her statue be-
ing Of such great proportions, had become DAM
aged in moving. 1t needed many repairs to make
lobbyists had not been idle-fndecd, their Efforts
had been attended with such success that most Of
the 1n,nitaea " ea compeisors were srempllng:
that no judgment was passed. influence and not.
the canons Of art was to determine the choice ~
seemed.
Happening to be present at the unpacking of one
OF the returned statuettes, with the rest present.
the slightest resemblance to the dead nero; IT.
was, IN fact no longer Q portrait--an excellent1
Parraen Upon piaci1s il more dreosy 'aSs Snde
the lignt the mystery was solved. 1t had been
painted wn tn sacs white II p pant the pant haa
OF an ARTIST Only by the closest scrutiny were we
assured OF the truth OF this. Traces Of the most
then, however, beginning with the eagle on the
front OF the cap and DOWNWARD TO the right sdes
down over the hair the paint had been used until
sigat had been left nearly iali Of paint fSe fore
Ts' 50 Cused g " that the the ps
IN the we're
given clouded expression by the artstica! appl.-
the Cheeks s was o6teraea ns surface being iei
as smooth as we see II In the young. The wings.
OF the nostrlls were loaded with paint. To look st
wood BY some bungling tobacco sign artist >,
The right side or the mouth. also In shadow, had
necktie, coat collar, right breast, and even the
sword belt had each been daubed, leaving .
the sculptor had Originally paid great Attention @ to
detail. This entertaining little leaf must furnish
in the futu.e delectable paoulum to the stu
] give IL because l consider 1t one Of those
good things" rarely paralleled in tine accounts,
abroad. Here 1t is, as . matter OF course supple
mented by titbt as cholce-I allude TO the his
appropration on pan similar to ina snat just Just ex
planned in connection with the Farragut statue.
All American e. car scSpors were invited to send
occasion there seemed to be prospect OF fair
field and no favoritlsm Artists who had their
fortunes TO make, II not their lame, set TO work in
good faith to elaborate their ideas OF what the
proposed statue should be. What likelihood they
81 Of e s w one w o. s
competitors. For months ne worked conscien-
sSu the usy hs his aSUrs SeoSs q
mad nae been made e Mr. Bailey this artist in soc con
his profession and who kne " what cnicanery had
been practsed In the matter OF the mpetition,
learned 70 MS chagrin that rom the 1rst he had
sald:-
"pm sorry you have spent your time and money.
No competition was contemplated. The notice to
that effect was given Ou; as blind. Mr.. Bailey,
VIII certainly be successful
This conversation occurred some days previous
mated Tor the decision Of the judges brougnr
sw sNssns5 pe ss1ns the the o ws snS 10
father. Shortly alter entering the room
the President directing attention to Mr.. Baney's
decision made at the time, and two OF the
committee left the room. Presently botn were
surprised at receiving note from one OF the men,
bers OF the committee, saying ne had given Mr..
Bailey PERMISSION to reproduce his study IN the
required size, and that then II would be submitted
to the committee for approval Probably Mr..
Flannery, who was one OF the competitors and Is
now IN the city, could add few notes OF interest
TO this revelation. The absurdity OF calling such
prearranged affair a "compeuuOnn Is obvious.
HIS statue OF Washington, winch adorns one
of the public places in Philade phla, is
an excellent example or his system. 1t
bears as much resemblance to General Putnam
or 10 General Wayne as 1t does to Washington,
and looks Tor all the world 10y common cOnSent
far more like o French dancing master than the
"Fatner OF his Country" From what mas been
given 1t will be seen that at home we have people
as tricky as the artist abroad. However, now
that all works OF art PAID Ior by national appro-
prations are to be inspected by competent CON-
plished painters and sculptors, let us trust-ay.
beleve--that a repetition or such disgraceful
frauds as those ! have mentioned here snail be
time to time an opportunity may be offered for
artists to do their best, aud that the numberless
l l a. y = n d "a n ii