Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-12


The memorial vase stands two feet in height
and is Of solid silver. of design that appropri-
stely expresses the meaning intended to con-
vey. The accompanying cut indicates better
than any words the grace and majesty of its
form and the richness and yet delicacy of its
ornamentation.
On the side shown in the cut there is shown
realistic shipwreck scene with an unusual
amount OF life and expression in the figures of
she men, The cloud effect in the background
Is marvelousy stormy in the silver relief. The
relief Is deep and the shades in the metal are
positive.
The medallion portrait of Mr.. Cox that oc-
cupies the center Of the top portion of the
vase on this side has been pronounced by Mrs.
Cox to be an excellent likeness. 1t was nodded
from the latest portrait that he had taken.
THE INSCRIPTION.
On the reverse of the vase, the top of which
Is illustrated, is a gracefully engraved inscrip-
ton occupying the body Of the vase, in the fol-
lowing language:
This memorial vase is presented to Mrs.
Samuel S. Cox by the members of the life-sav-
ing service of the United States in grateful re-
membranee OF the tireless and successful
efforts of her distinguished husband the Hon.
samuel Sullivan Cox. TO promote the interests
and advance the efficiency and glory of the life
saving service lie was It's early and constant
friend, its earnest and eloquent advocate, its
fearless and faithful champion"
Al the bottom. in neat characters is a quota
ton from a speech by Mr.. Cox in the House of
Representatives April 4, 1855 as follows:
i have spent the best part of my life in the
public service; most of it has been like writing
In water. The "reminiscences of party wrang-
ling and political strife seem to me the n.bule
of the past. without form and almost void But
what little have accomplished in connection
with the Ife-saying service is compensation
aweeter than the honey in the honeycomb.
1t is its own exceeding great reward"
At the top of this side of the vase occupyino
corresponding position TO that of the medal
hon on the other side, is a representation Of
the emblem OF the service, life preserver and
crossed oars.
Shells and other marine forms are used to
decorate the vase and chains and cables form
parts OF its finish The handles are mermaids
wrought In graceful curves.
HOW THE MOVEMENT STARTED.
The movement to present Mrs. Cox with this
memorial was started at the meeting of the
board on life-saving appliances in Boston, in
June, 1880. Dir. Cox had died the previous
September. 1t was there suggested that some
tling should be done 20 commemorate his serv-
Ices to the bureau, and after elaboration it was
decided 20 call upon the members of the sery-
lee for voluntary contributions No more ap-
broprlate form lor the memorial could be de-
Used, II was thought. than "a vase and soon
after the session OF the board had been con-
ciuded a committee vent to work upon the
project OF securing fund for this purpose,
consisting Of the twelve superintendents Of the
service. with Lieut.. Worth q. Ross OF the reye-
nue. marine service, who is detailed tor duty
with the hfe-saying service. as chairman. To
the energy Of Lieut. Ross is largely due the
success OF the movement.
This committee canyassed the entire service
and laid before the members scattered through
out the country the plans. They responded
nobiy TO the call Small contributions, from IS
cents !" doiiar--it was urged that no one give
: in 81
lows who risk their lives on the coast. They
feit that they were doing a proper homage to
the man whose work had built up the service
IN which they labored, and many a pathetic
letter of devotion to his memory was received
here IL is estimated that about i $50 men con-
rieuted 10 the fund that was finally raised.
When sufficient sum had been secured COM
petiilye designs were invited from the leading
SILVER manufacturers Of the country and exam
ined by committee. consisting Of Lieut. Ross.
superintendent D. =. Dobson and Assis tant
Superintendent H. ". Knowles. That sub
united BY the Gorham Company Of New York
was selected, and work upon the vase was be-
gun IN April last. The was received a
Few days ago. The movement was carefully
Kept secret, In order that Mrs. Cox might not
Learn Of u. and the first intimatiou that she had
o. ~ was contained IN u letter from Lieut.. Ross
tr the middle Of November. She was almost
overcome by the news, and the other day she
viewed the vase in the Office OF Mr. Kimball.
tne general superintendent OF the service. and
pronounced u magnificent beyond expression.
More contributions were received from the
men IN the service than had been expected
Photographs of the vase. showing both sides.
Fill be sent, neatly framed, to each of the 23S
tstions and hung up in the main rooms
THE CEREMONIES TODAY.
be ceremonies of presentation TODAY vere
charge Of a committee representing all
Fades Of the service, consisting Of the follow.
ing: S. l. KimbaIl, general superintendent;
Lieut. Worth G. Ross. T. NJ s., representing
the inspectors; ID. p. Dobbins, superintendent
OF the Buffalo district; II. NJ Knowles, assist
ant superintendent at Wakefield, L. l.; Siias
Harding. keeper Of the station at Jerry's
Point. Me-, and c. @. Crane, surfman at the
Hnrvey's Cedars station, Nj.
The vase. Handsomely encased in oak with
purple velvet Innings that set forth the outlines
q NE silver, was taken ts Ars Co.'s housz