New-York tribune., 1874-05-05
We hone Judge Thurman will retrace his
INDEPENDENCE HALL.

ITS RESTORATION BY COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY
THE MAYOR OF PIiILADELPHiA-rHE WORK DoNE
DURING THE PAST YEAR-AN INTERESTING RE-
PORT.
The committee appointed by Mayor Stokley
of Philadelphia TO effect the of Independence
Hall has made report Of the work done during tho
past year, which will be incorporated in the Mayors
annual address to the City Councils. The committee
made q preliminary report June 7, 1873, summary OF
which was published in THE TRIBUNE at the time. AZ
that date the Chamber which the Declaration OF In
dependence signed had been disincumbered OF its
anachronisms. and such portraits only had been re-
tanned OF procured by the committee iustra-
tive OF its national memories OF 1915. To these somo
portraits OF the signers Of the Declaration
have been added since, and few more aro
daily expected. Among the additions is a contribution
upon the part of the State OF Maryland Of the only two
portraits Of sgners OF the Declaration lacking from that
State "The Committee" says the report. was forced
into unloOkedfor expense by the discovery OF the
fact that the l3 portraits OF the sgners by
city in 1884 well some Others (smong them inmans
painting or william PENN, had been some years age
treated to copal varnisn which, We were informed Dy
experts would entirely destroy them IL not removed
This has been done. and the eoloring beautifully
OF the Chamber been deposited by their owners
and been returned from the United states
Supreme Court-rooms, where probably, 1t hai been
taken when ,the OF Government was removed, 10
1900 from Philadelphia TO Washington. The COMMITTEES
chairs and has some hopes OF Increasing the
number 10 l3.
The western has been thoroughly renovated, and
the decayed floor replaced by tiled pavement similar
style To that laid years since IN Independence
Chamber. The Committee propose to adapt II Tor ma
tonal museum. The report THE chamber tseH
was formerly the Judicial Hall OF the colony OF Penn
sylvania where Justices Logan, Allen, Chew, and Nc
KeaD gave dignity aud weight 10 the supreme Bench
This roOm we therefore dedicate to the memories OF
these men, illustrate the history OF state from
CONSTITUTION Of the United States 1852 when merged
into the United states OF America Mr. Joseph harr
sons public spirit ha essentially enabled us 70 prssens
synopsis of this part OF our plan by deposit OF tne
celebrated painting by West OF the great treaty never
sworn TO and never broken Over TINS picture ~ Is
our wish 10 place portrait Of Charles H. (whos" royal
grant 10 Penn enabled latter 10 set an example OF
peace on earth and good will towards men and next Ia
order noogcay ruler OF the tlme-whatever
faults may ascbed TO him, always the true friend OF
Penn-Iames H. After him we have the portraits IN
SOM of King William Queens Mary and Annie, aud
Kings George l. H. and III, with whom terminated the
IN our opinion least Indispensable TO the iustrao
and understanding OF our local history and IT.
The charter OF incorporation OF Philadelphia Win to
original signature OF the founder and WIN the 8roas
seal Of Pennsylvania appended, is displayed between
painting OF the treaty which made lt forcioie ino
celebrated notimportaton resolutions ol o@vsooor @
chants and traders acsmle constitutes an appropr.
ate pendant IN uxta position with the portrait oi inc
sovereign whose authority over PennsyVania aua heI
sister colonies, it was destined to form the en'er"s
wedge to sever" 49, , ,..,.. A.,
this chamber also the portraits OF the trainers OF tho
Constitution OF United states some OF whose Ike
nesses have already been secured and others PROMISED
n ia hoped tbat Rossers historical painting. 'T
signing of the Constitution" may also he secured:
men Of the period from 1852 to 1884, with pamphles.
wearing apparel, newspapers, and everything nusrs'
have prepared while appropriate platforms are re-
served 10 display furniture once IN use by the patriots
sistnr OF ia heads has been also secured t hoped
permauenty These portraits were taken from life BY
cIudes Washington and Mrs. Washington. John Adams.
Iangdcn Mrs Madison and many Others OF distinct,on