New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-25

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which Washington took the oath of office would de-
serve to be hatcheted" said Mr.. Ward in conclusion,
with laugh.
It is intended to keep secret the time when the
statue will be removed from the foundry to the site
chosen for it but il will be found in place. though
yelled, tomorrow morning.
THE STONE ON WHICH WASHINGTON STOOD.
The memorial stone, on which Washington stood
when he took his first oath of office as President
was put in position yesterday at noon. The wagon
OH which II was conveyed from the stone-yard to
the Sub-Treasury Building was guarded by four
policemen to prevent its demolition by unscrupu-
lous rcc-hunters BY means of a derrick the stone
was neatly deposited in the cavity which
had been prepared for it on the ros-
trum, Immediately in front of the pedestal.
1t projects slightly above the surrounding surface
The work was done without any ceremonies and
was witnessed only by such people as happened to
be in the vicinity at the the time. The negotiable
crowd Of small boys was there and Joined IN rais.
place 1t will be carefully guarded against
seekers for chips until the Evacuation Day cere.
monies have been concluded.
Precisely at $40 p. m. by Trinity Church clock,
small box was placed in the pedestal of the statue;
1t contained specimens OF the metallic currency ot
the, United States from tTenty,dollai
e eS& poi Of the silver silver half-dime and tho
SECOND Of the
$50 containing an account of the origin Of
the movement for the erection of the statue copy
of the twenty-third annual report llSS0-Sl), con-
tanning the act of Congress authorizing the erection
of the statue, the list of subscribers to
Herald, Times, World Sun, Journal Of Commerce,
Commercial Bulletin Star, Stats Ztuag Courier des
Etats Unis CITY kecoyd, Erening Post, Commerctat
Advertiser, Nail and Express, and Hdrper's Magazine
for November; the card of invitation to the I'M
Yelling ceremonies, and copy OF the programme
printed on parchment
The box is made of copper and is ten inches long,
six inches wide and seven inches deep. On the top
Is the following inscription:
Deposited by the Chamber OF Commerce OF the state
of NewYork within the Pedestal beneath the statue OF
Washington, erected on the steps OF the subIreasur
walst. corner Nassau-st. New-York, November 20,
The date is not historically correct. 1t was in
tended when the inscription was made to deposit
the box at the time when the unvelling ceremonies
practicable. Hence the discrepancy. The cere-
monies were entirely Informal, The box was put
Statue Committee. There were present Thomas {.
Acton, George w. Lane, James NJ. Brown. George
Wilson, the secretary OF the committee; Morris X.
Jesup, the treasurer; Benjamin q. Arnold, a. A.
Low, 5. b. Chittenden and Henry +. Spaulding.
After the box had been cemented in its place, the
cap of the pedestal, which had been removed to
admit of the introduction of the box, was restored
to its position bymeans of the derrick.
ORIGIN OF THE STATUE.
With the Chamber of Commerce originated the
proposition to erect statue of George Washington
on the steps of the Sub-Treasury Building. AT
meeting of the Chamber held on February 8, 1880,
Elliot c. Cowdin. chairman of the Executive Com
mittee moved that special meeting of the Cham
Der be held February II - to consider the
ton of a m onument to Washington in Wall-st on
the spot where he took the oath of Office At that
meeting the following members of the Chamber of
Commerce were appointed committee to take
charge of the natter William L. Dodge, A. A.
Low. Royal Phelps Elliot G. Cowdn. Benjamin
Arnold Levi p. Morton, David BOWS. James Tai
colt, Francis B; ThHrber, Henry ,Hentz, Abram 5.
gan MORRIS X Jsssp JS JSUs
MSFE" Percy + Sber Pgno } soa ss s5siSa3
Henry +. Spaulding, Oliver Hoyt and Charles L.
Tiffany. OF this committee Royal Phelps was made
chairman Morris X. Jesup treasurer and George
Wilson secretary. On March "a, 1850. 5. b. Chit
tcnden introduced bill into Congress TO authorize
the erection of the statue. The bill passed on De-
should at all times be subject to the supervision and
control of the Secretary of the Treasury. AT
meeting held on February 3, 1881, resolution was
of the Sub-Treasry building. John Q. A. Ward
was requested TO furnish model with plans and
specifications for the statue. Subsequently,
sculptor. the site of the statue was changed from
one of tho abutments to the centre of the steps.
1882, the chairman of the committee, Mr. Phelps.
announced that final arran gements had been made
with Mr. W ara by winch for Too,UUO, he WAS I'D
complete the statue, and have il in position III tlmo
to be unveiled on the Evacuation Day Centenary
Celebration. Altogether the work has cost about
$50, 000, of which 80 per cent was subscribed by
members of the Chamber of Commerce.
Arrangements have been made to exhibit this
week at the New-York Chamber of Commerce the
picture known rs the Gibbs Washington. This por-
trait was originally sold by Stuart, the painter to
Colonel George Gibbs with the statement that it
was one of two three pictures the easel while
Washington was sitting and was touched from life.
Colonel Gibbs sold the portrait to his sister, Mrs.
T.. Charming, ut whose death it passed to her son,
DR.. William +. Charming, of Providence, II. |. The
portrait shows the right side of the face and is adj
mtted to be one of the earlier. Ii is i'll excellent
preservation. The lines of the mouth are more nat
ural than those of the later pictures The portrait
was removed on Friday from the Boston Art Mu-
scum and carefully packed for transmission to New
York.
A. Meislahn, ir. will ring the following pro-
gramme on Trinity Church chimes at sunrise, noon
and sunset on Evacuation Day:
l. Ringing the Changes.
2. Centennial March.
3. " Hail Columbia"
4. Washington Grand March.
D. Columbia, the Gem Of the Ocean"
q. Yankee Doodle"
At the unyeiling of Washington's statue Mr.
Meslahn will play Zone Hundred and at the
close Of the evening programme Home, SweeI
Home"