National Republican., 1883-07-31
THE CoeswELL FOUNTAIN.
The Design Submitted Hardly Appro
prlato for the Capital OF the Nation.

The Design Submitted Hardly Appro-
prlato for the Capital OF the Nation.
A few days ago it was stated in THE RE-
PUBLICAN that the commissioners had ad-
dressed o communication to Mr.. Alexander
Mcdonald, the manufacturer of tho drinking
fountain proposed TO be donated to this city
by DIR. Cogswell, asking q description of the
fountain that they might be able to Judge
where it could be most appropriately located.
Mr.. Mcdonald has replied, inclosing pho
tograph of the front elevation of the fountain,
all sides of which, he says, are alike, and one
showing the foundation and re;rigeratng ap-
paratus. Mr.. Mcdonald also says In Ie.
gard to lighting the fountain, no pipes can be
put in the granite work, and, as ! understand
DIR. Cogswell requires the cities to which he
donates the fountains to supply lanterns of
his style, such as are on the photograph, foui
of them will be shipped with the fountain fot
5000"
The design of the fountain shows upright
columns in the center of which, on pedestal
of convenient height, arc two dolphins, from
the mouths of which the water will flow. On
the top of the fountain, however, looms up
statue of a man with full whiskcrs which /,
supposed to be a likeness of DIR. Cogswell, the
donor, holding cup in his hand.
What Washington has done that to tn,
famous in the country's history should bt
added the statue of DIR. Cogswell with cuI
| in his Outstrotched hand, is hard to discover
The commissioners evidently don't relish thu
erection of the statue of Dr. Cogswell with
cup in his hand for the following letter ha
been sent to Mr.. Mcdonald:
| To ALEX MCDONALD. Mount Auburn Marble ant
Granite Works, Cambridge MGss: The commits
| sioners direct me to acknowledge receipt of you
communication inclosing Photograph of DR.. Cogs
wells fountain, accepted as n donation to the gov
| ernmcnt of the United States by tue joint resolu
| ton Of congress passed July q, 1892
| In the proceedings OF that body the commits
| sioners do not discover that any statement Of tn,
design of the fountain was ma !e or considered, o.
any drawing exhibited at The time Of the accept
| ance Of DIR. CORswrll's proter, and they regRFt
| the provision giving authority to Greet the sam,
under the supervision and direction of the com
| missioncrs OF the District of Columbia as com
mittng to their approval. to n certain extent. th,
design aud appropriateness Of the work.
| The commissioners direct me TO say that In tn,
| photos kTuph Ol the fountain submitted by yot
they do not recognize It's appropriateness as
work Of art to be located IN Washing H. thei
! objection being confined 10 the statue surnlOuul
public places and grounds vt the capital of th
nation have hitherto been reserved for monu
| mentS to and statues of men who have rendered
such services to their country as seem to call TO
| perpetuation of their fame through such tcsti
monials, and the commissioners would prefer no
| them from that practice. They, therefore, re
spectfully suggest hat the mater should be post
| poned until congress shall have an opportunity o
making its wishes known upnn viewing the dl
sign you have forwarded. Very respectfully,
| WM. TINDALL, Secretary