The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-20
The Handsome Mans Ire was Aroused.
From the Ne,o York Tribune.

FROM me 4NtU 4 OIh IftpNNes
When the bill for the erection Of new
library building to cost $3,O0O,o0O was
passed, after pending in Congress for nearly
Il quarter of century, it was suggested as
n good idea that the Senators and Repre-
sentativeS who had been active in the pro
motion of the project, and whose efforts
had been finally successful, should sit for
their portraits, to be painted in group,
with the front elevation of the new build
ing as background, after the fashion of
the picture of the signing of the Emanci-
patton Proclamation, the Electoral Commls-
sion and other historical events and per onS.
1t was thought that this would make an
appropriate decoration for the new building
and the canvas was selected Of a size to fit a
certain place in the vestibule An artist
was chosen and those who had been active
in the interest OF the plan We're invited to
give HIM sittings.
A group was arranged, with the venCra-
be Senator Morrill,, OF Vermont, i'll the
foreground, for he was the father of the
bill, and around hum Senators Voorhees,,
Sherman, Sewell; Representatives Single
ton, of Mississippi; Cox, of New York
O'Neil. of Pennsylvania, and other mem-
bers Of the House. and Secretary Lamar,
who is chairman of the Boa d of Construc-
ton, Librarian Spofford and Mr.. Smith
meyer, the architect whose plans were
adopted by Congress.
Mr.. S ahlnecker, who was a subordinate
member OF the Library Committee and had
not much to do with the building, which
was decided uIon before he W as assigned to
the committee, was also invits to sit in he
group and took great interest in it, desir-
GUS of affording posterity deserved enjoy
ment by giving it his handsome features
and form on canvas as a legacy. He was
placed in a conspicuous place in the group
when it was originally sketched on the can
vas, but before the picture had made much
progress some one suggested that Speaker
Carlisle who had always shown marked
interest in the new library, should be in
vited to join the group The suggestion
was approved by every one and the Speaker
gladly gave the artist several sitting.
The latter, after consulting Messrs Nor
rill, Voorhees, and others, decided that it
would not do to place the Speaker of the
House of Representatives in a subordinate
position in the picture, wiped out the crayOn
sketch of Mr.. Stahlnecker and moving him
into corner where he was less conspicuous,
placed the Speaker where Mr.. Stahlnecker
had been. This made the Yonkers Con
gresham very angry. He insisted upon
being placed in the foreground The artist
appealed to the Senators and the others COL
cerne1 in the matter. They all agreed that
the gentleman from New York should take
a back seat But he declined to do so.
voorhees,, Morrill,, Singleton and Cox Ia
bored with him, but in vain. Mr.. Carlisle
must Surrender his place in the picture or
Mr.. Stahlnecker would not give the artist a
sitting.
When the Speaker heard of the trouble
he very cheerfully offered to give way to
the gentleman from New York, but the
others interested would not listen TO such a
thing.
The picture is almost finished. It is spoken
of in high terms by tn Sc who have seen it.
But the place where the handsome features
of the gentleman from New York should be
is dismal vacancy. After all the 9th +
portraits were completed one more attempt
was made to reconcile the 'handsomest man
in the House, but he not only refused t.
allow his face to go into the picture, but
told the artist that he would never allow q
bill for the purchase of the picture to pass
the House of Representatives as long as he
was in Congress-
Mr.. Stahlnecker is chairman Of the Ii
brary Committee and his tomahawk is very
SharD