Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-27
FROM CHICAGO.
The Vermont Building A vermonter
is Much Disappointed in II, And Tells
Good story of simeon Cheney.
y. H. Il ani. ~ L.. H..

The Vermont Building a Vermont
il Much Di'nppointed in II, And Tells
Good story of simeon Cheney.
To the Editor OF tho FREQ Press,
CHICAGO, April 1G. 1903.
l must warn Vermonters who come
to Chicago, that their State pride Is
| liable to sustain shock whom they
seo the Vermont building. l know
that the appropriation for it was not large,
but | counted on seeing something modest
dignitiad and worthy, in tho way of n struc-
turo. 10 give nuy idea OF my feelings
whom came in sight Of it a
day or two ago, I must repeat a
Story which [ read years ago of Simeon
Cheney, OF the famous Vermont family of
singing masters. He was the choir leader
in some church, and on one Sunday morn
ing, the performance of tho choir had been
30 execrshly bad that he could not ade-
quatoly express hi, humiliation and disgust
oxcept By going down on his knees after
the last hymn, and crawling out Of the gal
lerv, down the stairs and down the church
steps, and meekly going into hiding at his
home
1T is not Jhnt tho building is small-Vermont
is a small state, and it did not need to pus h
Itself into prominence But the building is
unfortunately placed, in a small space be-
tween the buildings CT Maine and Massn-
chusetts Let me tell you little about
those two, and you will see that to properly
represent Nermont-a State with history
unlike that of any other in tho Union. some
thought and intelligence was called for, in
design and execution.
Maine has sent graute, of which
tie first story of her building is con-
structed; and though there is no attempt
at anything historical, it is at least re- spect-
able.
Ihe Massachusetts building is admirable.
1t is a faithful reproduction of one Of the
substantial Old colonial mansions che Han
cock House, and every detail, from the
fen light and side lights of tho front door,
and the Old Style huted carvings of mautels
aud doors, to tbs chimneys aud cupola and
the lantern over the gateway, is perfect
Every thins is appropriate, disnihsd, his
toricai.
Connections has good old-style
building, TO-, in fact all the Now
England States are well represent
ed except Vermont. In her building
"Statf, - in thin slabs, masqusrades as Yer
mont marble aud plaster statues support
the narrow entablature of the front. Pray,
what has Vermont to DO with half nude
simper!ug Csryatdes? il | had the pow
l would promptly have sent the honest Dan
ish sculptor who WAS at work at them to find
something else to do. We're there no pine
trees left in Vermont, OF which a house OF
logs might have been made?
The Old Green Mountain tavern in Ben
nington might have been reproduced-sig
pes, catamount and all. That would at
least hive represented something
that figured in tbs history of the most in
dependent and resoute Of all the States
Instead, we have foolish little meaning
less structure--e collection of auachropis n =
and absurdities | shall watch with some
interest for the speeches, Gu May 10th, when
tho building is dedicated. Tho orator o,
the day will have hard task; and be may
wish he could repeat Mr.. Cheney's method.
NERMONTER.