The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-19
LOOKING INTO THE DETAILS
The Architect and Monument Commits
sioners Have Pleasant Meeting.
Mr.. Schmitz Responds Readily to the Senti-
ment that Enters Into-His Great Work
He Compares Gov Morton to Bismarck.

monument, Is receiving his early impressions u
the United States, their people and customs
from what he sees in Indianapolis, and it is
possible, during his sevefal months sojourn on
this trip, he will not travel much. When he
does extend his observations. he will possess at
the beginning of lis tour more comprehensive
idea of the extent and disersitics of the country
than foreigners generallysdo who begin in the
East and travel Westward. Mr.. Schmitz how
ever came with the ideasthat he plungins
at once into but a partially developed region,
Astounding in forests and scattered fields. with
here and there a prosperous town, rarer
still populous city, with villages and bamlets
intervening. 1t is confusing to him to grasp the
idea that beyond Indisna extends the popula-
ton of an empire with wealth, industries and
cultivation that would make another nation.
But he is quick to learn and before many weeks
pass the process Of Americanizing him will have
been completed. He responds to it readily.
Influenced by supreme pleasure in having won
the prize for the great work he is to accomplish.
The first distinctivey American character he
came across the newspaper interviewer.
In Germany the press confines its notices
of persons and their public affairs and move
ments to those of rank and distinction in states
manship and military service. 1t took him some
time to measure his own Importance a public
person in America and was loath to receive
newspaper representatives other than on plane
of sociability. When he was informed that the
reporters had the entire everywhere seekers
after that which will interest the public he
threw up his hands in establishment and ex-
claimed: "Yes. yes. but what a noise is made
over my arrival"
Yesterday morning he was introduced to sew
eral leading German citizens. and to one OF
them he said: II am young man in Germany,
but already begin to feel old in this country
through the attention that is paid mo-" Later
on he was taken down to the Capitol and intro
dnced to the monument commission, Messrs.
Langsdale and Ransdell. and Major Johnsou,G
who alone of the board are now in the city.
'tAre all the commissioners here?" Mr.. Schmitz
inquired of Secretary Gookins.
mo. There are two others, was the reply.
"One of them lives 100 miles away"
20 yes, out in tho wilderness" was the
architects simple remark.
With Treasurer of State Lemcke inter
prefer, the achitect and commissioners then went
informally over the details of the design Moth
ing definite to the changes decided on,
the matter will be more fully
vassed at the meeting of the board on Monday.
when all of the commissioners will be present
Mr.. SchmitZ was given more fully than
had been conveyed to him before what
the monument was to represent This related
to the feeling and sentiment the people of the
country bore for the volunteer soldier in the
civil war. OF course. this involved a brief
sketch as to the causes Of the war. and what
had been accomplished by it. Indiana, as was
it was to her soldiers the monument was to be
erected. This again called for some historical
details in reference to the State, her settlement
progress, and the Importance she held in the
rank OF States. All these the architect readily
understood. showing a quick intelligence
in adapting his own ideas to those
of the commissioners. HE lie quick flash
in regard to technical Matters said Secretary
Gookns, and is quick in catching the senti-
ment that leads to the erection of tine monu-
msnt. 1t was this that at first attracted the
commissioners to Mr.. Schmitz's design. The
more they studied 1t the more they were inn
pressed by its artistic excellence They are
is reciprocal for Mr.. Schmitz has expressed
himself being delighted with his reception
and the gentlemen with whom he will have to
deal.
Mr. Schmltz said yesterday: while I wasS
proud of my success in winning the prize, hest
tated about coming to America to take charge of
the work. did not know who won the second
prize. whether an American, foreigner l
feared if it was an American that national in
fuence would operate against me, and make my
presence here and supervision of the work un-
comfortable. thought personal influences. es-
pecially if the American was distinguished in his
profession, would bring about struggle into
which did not want TO enter. But the bust
ness-like announcement of the communication
the commissioners sent me led me to come.
am glad did, and l am also glad to learn that
the second price was taken by Londoner."
been made to the Circle as the location for the
monument, Mr.. Schmitz replied: The place is
superb and could not be better for that purpose.
The design has been made In exact proportions
to suit the locality an6 It's nearness to the CAPT
toll. When we come to study this feature more
closely it may be wise to increase or diminish
the monument, but such changes, II any
made, must be slight"
1T has beer suggested" said one of the COM
missioners. that the monument ought to be
erected on one side OF the grounds"
vi no q itect
replied. sit must be in the center. IL it is not
put there will be killed when go back to Ger
many
One of the delicate questions the commits
sioners have had to consider related to the Nor
ton statue. This explained TO the architect
with brief relation of the place Governor Nor
while the Governor was not mill
tary man. he was in sense
military chieftan well statesman. 1t
was he who provided for Indana's soldiers, who
looked after their interests at home, in the field
and in battle, who sent each regiment and bat
terry to the war with his good wishes and
each on the return with all the honors due to
victors. II understand" quickly responded
Mr.. Schmitz. Governor Morton stood to the
soldiers of Indiana Bismarck does to tho
soldiers of Germany" 1t is his opinion that the
Morton statute be brought forward and placed in
the triangle at the base Of the monument He
memoration of Indana's war history During
the afternoon he and Mr.. Langsdale visited Mrs.
Morton to ascertain her wishes in regard to the
architects proposition. II
The Attorney general IS drafting the contract
between the architect and commissioners. This
will require some days, as all the specific terms
that enter into it will have to he thoroughly
vassed. In the meantime Mr. Schmitz will be-
gin work on the large colorsd perspective of the
design. This will be copyrighted and of it ee-
CANT prints are to be made for sale. TIE fund
arising in this way will be used In completing
the statuary of the monument. g
When architect Schmitz presented his views
to Mrs Morton, through Treasurer of State
Lemcke who acted as interpreter. in regard to
placing her husbands statute at the base of the
monument and short distance from il, facing
South Meridian street, she cheerfully consented
to the arrangement 81
LITIGATION IN VARIOUS FORMS.