Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-28

SELECTED rs ADorrKD-MR. EvARrs DEFENDED
THE CHOSEN SITE.
The case OF Lafayette W. Jackson occupied
the attention of the Senate for two hours this
morning. and after the arguments were con-
Guided Jackson secured . verdict which, 30
Senator Edmunds says, has no legal value nor
effect
Senator Evarts was the first to take mp the
matter, and it was evident from the start that
he was in earnest. He accepted, for himself
and his colleagues on the site commission, all
the responsibility in connection with the location
now the subject of debate, and went en- with
much elaboration to make public and explain
the reasons which actuated the commission.
That body believed it would not be right to
place the Lafayette statue in the center Of any
large reservation. One Of the main considera-
tons decided upon as necessary for the perfect
site was unobstructed publicity; another Vas
dignity, for such = statue as that of the
brave Frenchman should not be made
to suffer from degrading local associations.
The commission could find no site in the
vicinity of the Capitol not already occupied
and there was but one other neighborhood in
which 1t would be proper to put Lafayette 3
memorial-somewhere near the Executive
Mansion. Attention was directed to the affection
felt for each other by Washington and Lafsyet
and although Washington never resided in the
present Executive Mansion, still it had been
and was the home OF the official successors of
the father Of his country; therefore the site
ought properly to be in public position and
near the White House.
PLENTY OF ROOM IN LAFAYETTE SQUARE.
Senator Evarts then went on to dilate upon
the great size Of Lafayette Square and argued
that because the Jackson statue was in the GEN.
ter Of the park it would be unreasonable 70
shut out all other statues. The place and the
region immediately round about was eminently
fitted for great statues. In little while fine
representation Of Edwin NJ. Stanton would be
placed on the north front of the War Depart
Ment and 1t was not improbable that ere long a
counterfeit presentment Of some one of the
country's great fnanciers would fnd a
the north OF the II easury Department
Senator Evarts was willing that some of the
nations celebrities should have statues on the
corners OF Lafayette Square, but that of Lafay-
cite himself should be central. superior; he was
the hero of the whole country. The history of
Senator Bates opposition to the conclusions OF
the commission was then rscited and Mr..
Evarts claimed that the delay the resolution
would cause must result in much confusion.
The statue was shipped on the responsibility
Of the artists and they would continue to be
responsible for it until it was erected Fur
final payment for their work until the statue
WAS erected, and that would result in breach
Of contract, because the United States agreed
to have the pedetsl ready for the statue BY the
time OF its arrival in this city.
MIR. HARRIS suaaEsTs THE PEACE MONUMENT
SITE.
Mr.. Harris insisted that il was not respectful
to obscure the statue of jackson by the cree
ton of u monument between it and Pennsyl-
vania avenue and the White House. There was
no reasonable excuse for such action unless ii
be found in the name Of the square. The site
now occupied by the Peace Monument would,
he thought, be good place for Lafayette. His
remarks about the Peace Monument were not
complimentary in their tone.
Both Senator Evarts and Senator Hoar as
sured Mr.. Harris that there was in existence
law by which the Peace Monument would be
removed to some more suitable place.
DANGER TO JACKSON.
Senator Harris laid stress on the danger
which would attend any attempt to remove the
balanced statue OF Jackson, supported as IL
was only by the horses hind legs.
Senator Hoar wanted to know whether in the
opinion of Mr.. Harris, it would not be q gross
violation Of law and of faith to delay the work
now, and to this Mr. Harri, responded that any
financial loss could be and would be compen-
stated for by Congress.
Mr.. Hale then moved the postponement OF
further action on the resolution until Septem-
Der 10 at 1880 am. He did so, he said, because
however interesting debate on Lafayette and
his statue might be the Senate must not forge
that it had the tariff bill ON hand Valuable
time was wasted each day and he would object,
from now until the tariff vote had been taken,
to the consideration of any other matters
None Of them could be Of such great import
ance 40 the tariff bill
Senator Harris said he was in full sympathy
with Mr.. Hale, but II the matter was postponed
until September 10, thu statue would undoubt-
eddy be erected.
After few suggestions it was agreed that q
noon.
Mn. sPooNER ATTACKS THE SITE.
Senator Spooner secured the floor 40 soon az
the agreement had been reached and at once
attacked the site selected by the commission.
He could not say that he had any great admira-
tion for the Jackson statue he wished it was
better one, but as it had been there q great
many years 1t ought to be undisturbed and the
view OF 1t uninterrupted from Pennsylvania
avenue. The Lafayette statue should
be located in that square, but not cen.
trally; the best place for 1t, in his
opinion, would be on the southeast
corner. Mr.. Spooner paid eulogistic tribute
to the character of Jackson. JacksOn's memory
was daily becoming more popular. ia statue TO
w y
10 and IL had been proposed to put Lafayette be-
tween him and the White House il would cause
some feeling. but il the New York Senators had
wanted it SO he, of course, would defer to them
II the statue involved was one Of Charles Sum-
ner-the great apostle of liberty-and it had
been proposed to obscure him the Massa-
chusetts Senators would object and he would
be with them. In this case his mpathy and his
vote would be with the Senators from and the
people Of Tennessee.
HEROES BOTH.
Senator Bate made q long speech, most Of Il
from manuscript, in which no lauded both
Lafayette and Jackson. but insisted that the
Jackson statue be not concealed. Jackson, al
much as Lafayette, was the hero Of the whole
people. 80 was Grant," said the Senator
Although fought against him / regard him
as a national hero and think it will be con-
coded by some Of my friends OH the other side
that Robert E. Lee is entitled to the same
proud distinction"
NO END OF SITES.
Senator Bate then went on to point ont sites,
mentioning places In the Capitol grounds,
Franklin Square, Iowa Circle and the spot on
which stands the studio OF tho Treasury De-
partment photographer. Especial stress was
laid on tho particular virtues and superiority
OF the Clark Mills statue, which was compared,
to its manifest advantage, with other eques-
train statues in other countries The Tsnnes.
seean said it was unapproachable and could
never be moved, now that its creator was no
more.
Senator Edmunds suggested that the resolu-
ton had better be changed from concurrent
to Joint; otherwise It would have no legal
force.
THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED
An attempt ~ mako the change looked az
though 1t would cause a postponement, so i,
vaa aha hopod and n vox. yoLn,, a., Al. ...Sr.