Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-07

MN. EDITOR. on were IN error in stafing
In the morning paper that any conclusion had
been reached that the Soldiers Monument
would not be completed until 1882. twill
undoubtedly be erected and entirely finished
before the tenth of November next The died.
ication is a matter of minor importance. The
history of the matter is briefly this:
Nearly year ago a committee-of the Mon
ument Association. ten in number, after
many meetings and much discussion selected
a design for monument presented Dv Mr..
Power of New York This action OF the
committee was unanimously ratified BY the
Association after another hearing and further
discussion. The design accepted was exhib-
tied at the meeting of citizens called in Gran
lie Hall, and after the whole matter had been
presented to the meeting by member of the
committee, practically unanimous vote was
passed requesting an appropriation BY the
city council to complete the monument
The same committee were thereupon empow-
cred By the association to enter into contracts
with Mr.. Power and the Halowell Granite
TO. for the erection of the monument in sub
stantial accordance with the design accepted
and also to superintend the work as it pro-
crossed Accordingly a written proposal
from Pow was orally accepted by the com
mittee, whereby Mr. Power was to furnish a
bronze statue Of Patriotism, of heroic size
three bronze panels in relief. three bronze
panels for inscriptions and bronze group
at the base of the column, for the sum of
$500; all the work to be of standard
bronze of not less than 80 per cent of first
quality of copper with suitable allow and all
to be executed to the acceptance of the
committee. The written proposal of the
Hallowell Granite Co., whereby they pro.
posed to erect the granite portions of the
monument on permanent foundation, for
the sum of $1,000. was also orally accepted.
it being agreed that both contracts should
be formally reduced to writing as soon As
the specifications, photographs and models
were received, that they could be referred
to and adopted as a part of the written
contracts. Notwithstanding the unremitting
efforts of the committee. all the specifications
photographs and models, were not received
until this spring and the Granite Company
claim that by reason of the procrastination
in New York, they were delayed in the exc
cution of their part of the work. to such an
extent that it was not practicable to complete
it in September as contemplated.
Last Saturday, the subcommittee on the
contracts, in company with Mr.. Power. had
an interview with Hon. j. X. Bodwell, Pres
ident of the Hallowell Granite Company
which, under all the circumstances was en-
tirely satisfactory. The contracts with both
parties, which up to that time had properly
and wisely rested in parole, were then re-
duced to writing, and signed by both parties
with such notifications and Improvements
in details as the developments IN the mean
time had suggested, and such as the COM
mittee were authorized to make. The
contract with Mr.. Power specifies
the sixteenth of September next,
and that with the Hallowell Granite Co. the
10th of November if practicable" as the
time within which the monument shall be
completed. But Mr.. J. X. Bodwell, whose
conduct in the premises was characterized by
fairness and generosity, privately assured
the Committee that he had no doubt that they
would be able to complete their work before
that date. The contract with the Granite Co.
further stipulates for the polishing of the
shaft and those portions of the die not
cred by the bronze panels, at the option of
the Committee. for the further sum of $3.50,
which Judge Rice has generously subscribed
for that purpose.
Competent judges declare that the models
furnished by Mr.. Power give assurance of
work far superior to that indicated by the
original designs. The bronze reliefs have
been designed by Mr.. Power of New
York, whose achievements in art are
soon to be reviewed in Scribner's
Monthly with special mention of the
third relief of the Augusta monument. AL
though the Association and the public have
been naturally impatient at the delay, the
ideas of the artists have manifestly been
worked out to degree of excellence which
would not have been attained if the monu-
ment had been hurried forward wear ago.
1t will now undoubtedly be erected and fin
shed at least six months earlier than monu
ments of this character have usually been
completed after the acceptance of the design;
and the specifications and models now demon
strate that it will be monument worth wait
ing for, and of which the city and the Assoc
citation will be justly proud. c.
July 6, 1881.