Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-29
BarthOldi's Big Statue.
THE BRONZE GODDESS TO BE UNVEILED IN A
Few WEEKS.



After a long andIwesry term of hinderance'
and vexations. the committee to receive and
unvei the Barthold Statue of Liberty.
seems about to bring its labors to a happy
end. 1t has been determined that the last
touch will he given and unveiling take place
on Oct. 28. Probably no one not on that
committee will ever realize what white
elephant" on its hands this magnificent gift
of the French people has been. 1t is three
wears and six months since the work on the
foundations for pedestal on Bellows island
was begun. Never did walls rise more slow
ly, however, than those massive granite ones
out of the crumblng bastions of old Fort
Wood Money was hard to get; delay grew
chronic; the committee was almost in de-
SPAR. At the rate OF progress for the first
year, it would have taken almost half n CEN
fury to mount the statue. The top of the ped
estal was reached at last, however,
and the money gathered by hook
and crook to pay for ii.
Bartholdi himself came over from Paris to
inspect matters. aud, piece by piece, the huge
copper figure followed. Last spring the rvet-
ing and bracing begun.
Part by part, rs by the lifting of stage
curtain. the stately goddess discovered her
self, the broad, loose folds of the dress at
first almost shapeless, gathering gracefully to
the waist and falling away again from the
full uplifted arm. The huge scroll. with its
simple inscription, was set, and so were the
swelling breasts and open neck. From day
to day the quiet island has been ringing with
the sharp metallic noises of iron and copper
hammering, and from the passing steamers
one could see pigmy looking men hanging by
life-liues or on delicate scatfolding against
the goddess arms or sides. Only the head,
the right arm and the torch are left to be
added. and the statue will be complete. By
November at furthest the electric lsmp'
at the top of the torch and the foul
corners of the pedestal will be lighted, anC
the great bronze image will be ready to IL
Illuminate that bustling portion of the world
at least. which lies in such dense patches
about New York harbor.
Until yesterday no date had been fixed upor
formally for the unwilling OF the statue
Involving as it did the acceptance OF splen
did gift from friendly republic, it seemed
indispensable that the French governmen
should be represented at the ceremony. S.
far no invitations have been issued either b.
Congress or the President, and the prepare
tions hang fire. Congress last session passe'
abill appropriatiug $50, 500 in lump for tn
expenses of the approaching unveiling. IL
this fairly generous allowance curious re
striction WAS attached. Owing to the cole
water sympathies of some of the senators, al
amendment passed the upper house providing
that no part of the appropriation be used t.
foot wine or liquor bill of any description
The House, too, let the amendment stand an'
the President approved it. After this rather
unusual effort to ruin the digestion and TEN
pers of a few innocent French officials b.
making them drink nothing but Croton waite
for week, Congress grew tired of the Who'll
matter and adjourned The task of inviting
the French representatives for the ceremon
with the necessary politeness, and at tn
same time intimating the cold water condition
of their stay, was too much Tor fresiden
cleveland. He took to the woods, and tn
French ENJOYS are still waiting for their ere
dentials and passes. Yesterday, however
the Bartholdi committee arranged matter
with the President. The invitations will b
sent Immediately, and the date of the ur
yelling has been put officially at Oct. p
The foreign powers will fare better, too, tina
the senators supposed. There may be sens
tnr;al tea and even champaign at Bedlow'
island, and the chamber of commerce wi
nrobably give dinner at Delmonicos to a
;nv;ted guests, on the evening of the celebrs
ton. -
Redlow's Island itself, has changed quit
bevond recognition to one who has seen 1t |
the old military post days. The old barrack