The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-07
THE OLD CAPITOL FENCE.
SOME OPINIONS ABOUT THE BILL
FOR IT'S REMOVAL.
General Sentiment seems To BE Against
the Measure. Because Il Would Destroy
Historic Landmark Divergent Views
on the Subject.

on the Subject.
Senator Loyenstein's bill. while i'm n
danger Of passing, il part Of public sent
ment is regarded, has produced consider
able discussion an over town. "Wha
does he want to move the fence forY' is no
inirequently heard. otis been there
long time. and it might as well stay
Another will say: "rake the old thin
down. IL mars the beauty Of the Square
and If il We're taken down the squar
would look more like Monroe Park"
The idea OF those who favor the scheme
seems 20 be that the ratings. most OF which
are broken 40 the points. detract from The
beauty of the grounds; and that so far az
the intrusion of COWS, dogs and other ami
mails IS concerned, the place would be jus
As safe without a fence, and cite Monrol
Park as an example.
Those who want the fence retained lool
at the matter from more sides than theil
adYersaries. First. the fence is an old
landmark, they argue. 10 was built about
eighty years ago. and has stood thrOugl
some Of the most stirring and interesting
scenes. IL is part of the Capitol; 10 is q
part of the city. 10 is part Of Nirginia''
history To mar the fence would De 90 az
tack some of the most fondly treasured re
collections of the past. and 20 remove
IT, looking at the matter practically. would
open 10 90 all sorts Of damaging influences,
that the fence protects the grass; that il
protects the squirrels. and 90 an extent
Keeps them within the Capitol grounds.
that the square is a great resort for chill
dren i'm good weather. perfect garden of
babies. SO 10 speak; that the squirrels add
an attractive feature 90 the square, not only
for the children, but for visitors,
who go 90 the square and spend
hours feeding them. Ac.. sc. Without GO
ing into the subject deeply. representative
of this paper yesterday talked with some
few citizens, whose opinions i'm matter of
this kind are entitled % more consideration
than would be hundreds of ideas expressed
on hand and without reason i'm either direc-
tion.
DESTRUCTIVE TO BEAUTY.
I'm speaking about the subject DR..
Palmer. we'll known as "a lover and stu
dent of the history of the state. id: 'IO
remove the railing from around the Capitol
grounds would De wholly destructive TO
their beauty. Even now it seems almost
impossible % prevent encrOachment upOn
the grass by the thousands of people who
daily pass IFS gates. Barbcd wire barriers
and stakes are now found necessary % con-
fine pedestrians 90 the walks although they
are broad enough and sufficient i'm number
90 accommodate two times the present pop
ulati0n of the city. With the enclosure re-
moved 10 would require a regiment of men
tO keep back the motley and ungOycnable
mob OF nurse women and boys. who would
Doe making cross cuts and by-paths i'm every
direction. and from every side of the square.
II is strange that proposition 10 remove
this venerable and classic reminder of "a
past age should Dee made just as the ladies
of the land are cndcaNOrng % rescue from
destruction the few historic relics remain
ing boz the state. I'm other parts of the world.
where the eminenty practical has not quite
yet Obliterated an sense OF YeneratiOn in
The minds of the people. such objects are re-
ligi0usly preserved. Around the ancient
grounds OF the Luxembourg and the beautl-
fu little park MOnceau. in the heart Of
Paris. stand the same old iron ratings that
guarded them three centuries ago.
More than this. instead Of re-
moving them. they are kept i'm the most per
feet condition. Every spear top is giided.
and the stately mOn0hnths, upon which
hang their decorated gates. support upon
their SUBMITS am ornamental urn or appro-
pirate device. The enclosure that now pro
tccts our beautiful but contracted Capitol
Grounds is of classic design; the posts rep
resent nr the Roman fasces. and the railing
The spear symb0lizing the civil and mill
aw powers. The tops of the posts and
railing should Dee Furnished with German
mineral. or some other proper material. ana
Tie other portions Kept we'll painted. FRO
tect. instead of remove the venerable relic.
10 adds dignity 90 the grounds. gives a
sense of security 10 fhe public precincts,
and reminds the visiting stranger that he is
among a people who have not yet consented
20 prostitute their beautiful grounds or any
part of them, or any of their accessories 20
the selfish demands Of "a supposed ncces-
sity."
sCUIPTOR's VIEWS.
From an artistic standpoint no opinion
could Doe of more value than that of the we'll
known Virginia sculptor, Mr.. L. y. \alen-
tine When asked his views ON the subject
he said "ln Europe relics Of the past are
tO be seen almost at every turn, ana the
people there are trying 10 preserve them. ln
America. where there are comparatively
few relies. il seems rather strange that any
of our people should wish 10 see them de-
stroyed. Some years ago Sir John Lubbock
induced Parliament to pass am act looking
TO tho protection of an objects of historic
interest in England. and il is gratifying %
know that the Society for the Preservation
of Virginia Antiquities, recently formed by
the ladies OF our State, is endeay0rng 20
carry out the same design sincerely
hone nothing will be done with the Capitol
railing except 90 repair it,
CONSIDERS III VANDALISM
SIT would amount 20 nothing short Of
vandalism TO move that fence declared am
able LAWYER .Ihe i0ea Of such "a thing is
While the people all over the
world aTe trying to preserve such things as
are endearcd by recOllccuOns Of The historic
Dast. here iB Richmond certain set OF peo-
Die are trying 10 pull ours down. WHAT
Inc good of a society for the preservation OIL
Nirginia antiquities If there's such a
spirit of desiruciiyeness TO contend
with. What do visitors come here iOrs
'rbev come % see our old houses and relics
and other things that link the past with the
urosent. and if YOU let 'em take that fence
away .ou NAV soon after expect 20 see tnai
old historic Dlilning, the capitol, fall, and
the JED Davis mansion and every ihine else
go Resides. % take another view OF the
.uhect. NJ the fence was removed tie park
would be ruined. There's an air Of ele-
eance and artistic beauty about II now ihat
would De taken away, and the grass I'D lhe
square would have absolutely no protection.
And on ibis Tor nothing; for no one can
possibly INV NdiNf f"lAU ANt''i' W. 'N-''N
or so pss.
at ought 10 be moved said General
Iosoph X. Anderson, "the grounds would
.ook better, and don't see that it's OF any
use.'
LIKE TO sEr 1T RETAINED.
Tne Hey. Moses ID. Hlogo, d. d., said "lt
h evident that ikere is a growing sentiment
I'M AN cities Of tbe county in favor oil re-
moving ratings around All puvlie grounds
ID far as our Capitol square Is coheeihsh'
Ibe ohieot.on 10 the removal is probably due
III ionJ associations people have had win
.be inclosuro. ~ wOaM take some time 70
nj recoucjled 20 the change, put probably in
he end tia public would be satisaed' yer (
.onsily. / s6oald prefer to see the fence re- 4
aimed" ...
A MAN WITH A hfMcRF.
A communication received az this once
.osto~,Iav. and nom de- pi1med NAN
Visb a Memory reads as follows
- What's the matter with Mr.. Lo'ehslelni
= 4. hardly more than two months since
.ir Ioyenstein raised a row by pioposins
" y des,soy the Jefi Davis mansion III lnS
,ppo.ed integest Of free schools. Anu
ybin the town fcs0 Dp az one man anu ~ ~
,l ,.,,,fn.f This VIOLATION Oi one OF tht