Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-17
THE LAFAYETTE MONUMENT.
The Latest Site for It Chosen by the
Commission.

The Latest Site for II Chosen by the
Commission.
THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LAFAYETTE SQUARE
cnosES-wHAT IS SAID IN ITS FAvoR-oBJEc-
TIoSs-wILL CONGRESS CONSENT?
The Lafayette monument commission seems
to be determined that the bronze form of the
distinguished Frenchman. which now graces
several boxes in the Senate stables
on Capitol Hill. shall ultimately be
seen amid tho foliage OF Lafayette Square.
all representations to the contrary notwith-
standing. Once already the commission has
made an effort to squeeze the foreigner into
the square. attempt frustrated by resou-
ton of Congress, and now there remains bat q
5000 hole full of granite a memorial of the
movement. The public was gently led into the
belief after the fiery denurciation of the
scheme in Congress had given place to peace
and 5000 more had been appropriated for O
new foundation. tina. the commission would try
to put the monument on the southeastern
corner Of the Treasury reservation, at the head
OF Pennsylvania avenue.
THE NEW SITE.
Whether this plan met with disapproval from
the heads of the Treasury Department or the
idea was generated and given strength simply
n stalking horse, not we'll defined but the
1Gct remains that the commission now an
noun 'es its decision that work will
49, be begun foundation
at the southeast corner of Lafayette Square.
The frs; notice to the public of this fact in
the annual report of Secretary Proctor, i menu
Der of the commission. which report has Just
been madSpubIic. At first glance il looked US
though the Honorable Secretary. with ali due
respect to his care and to his assistants. had
made a mistake In writing Lafayette Square
instead of the Treasury square. Inquiry at the
War Department this morning. however,
showed that the Secretary knew whereof he
wrote and that there was no error in the re-
port.
FUNDS FOR THE FOUNDATION.
The sum Of 5000 is now in hand for the
work Of making the new foundation, and an
order to Col. Ernst. commissioner of public
buildings and grounds to go ahead with the
preparations now awaits the signature of the
Secretary. who IL expected to return from
the west tomorrow. Some OF the mate
rails of the old foundation may be
used in the new one. The site selected will
now throw the monument into such position
that there will be nc interference with the view
of Ell her statue by the other.
SHORT CUT MADE LONGER.
The monument will be set back from the
pavement fcg feet. SO as to admit OF the con-
struc'ion of a circular or a square wall around
it leading into the park. This entrance lis
more generally used than any other being the
pedestrians from the northwest, all OF whom.
with but few exceptions, taking advantage of
the angle 10 cut off some distance i'll their
walk.
WILL CONGRESS CONSENT?
1t, of course. remains to be seen whether or
not Congress will raise any further objections
10 this site. In the debates in the Senate there
was an evident antagonism on the part of some
TO the French hero being placed anywhere on
the square. on merely sentimental grounds,
while others who opposed the site opposite the
White House did because there was n
danger that the outlines of the two would
be so mingled in all north south views as to
spoil both. The latter objection is avoided By
the Interpositlon of the trees so that the Jack
son statue Is not visible from the southeast ell
trance, but
ANOTHER oBJycI1oN
may occur to these critics in that by placing
the monument here it will be practically hid
den from view, except from relatively
small section. 1t Is shrewdly limited that
the commission Is but showing its
determination to get the monument
on the square by any possible means. and in
any place, that it " III hereafter be easier to
induce Congress 10 remove she jackson statue
TO some more appropriate spot than, according
70 the Judgment Of many people, l. now &C.
cupies.
SECRETARY WINDOW.
It is stated that Secretary Window objected
to the location OF the monument ct the south
east corner OF the Treasury Department; that
he said Lafayette never WAS intimately con-
nected with the Treasury Department during
his lifetime, and there did not seem to be any
good reason Why his statue should spoil the
architectural hne- Of tine southeast corner of
the treasury building. Mr.. WIudom went fur
Their than that and carried the war into
Africa yerv skillfulIy by inslnuatng that
Lafayette Lad been connected with the War
Department - good ste for his statue might
be q tlt,N nj
suggestion convinced Secru larry Proctor that
the Treasury Department idea previously held
by the commission was all wrong aud after
or two consultations with Architect Clark and
some correspondence with Senator Evarts (the
other members D. the commsslonJ il was de-
cided to erect the statue on the southeast cor
ner Of Lafayette square.
For time there was discussion as to
whether or not the statue should face the angle
or look directly southwark. The latter POSI-
ton was finally decided upon because Il would
give the best effect from the main point of
obseryation-l5th street and Pennsylvania
avenue.
THE TREES TO BE Trimmed OUT.
Col. Ernst has been ordered to commence
operations. and this he will probably do this
week. Tho trees near the corner are to be
thinned out considerably; their growth is 100
dease. The pedestal which has waited 80 long
for Its burden Will be torn up and rebuilt on
the new site. but the concrete base will not be
NoL putting u
fountain on the spot where the statue ORG
tnaliy intended 10 stand
PARTIAL PAYMENT TO THE scuLProRs.
When the statue arrived here from franco
the sum of 900 vas due the sculptors This
was the final payment and by the terms of tho
contract could not be made until the
statue erected and accepted Not I'M
naturally the sculptors were annoyed because
Of the delay caused by the opposition to the
site selected, so the commission solaced them
by persuading the first comptroller to pass a
voucher for half the amount-Sli, 500 This
sum was paid some time ago.
Serious Charge Against a Doctor.
Dr. Leonard 5. Nicholson, who gives mag
netic treatment az his Office ON II street be-