The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-01-20
FROM WASHINGTON.
TRUE BEAUTY AND ARTISTIC ASPECT
OF The CAPITAL.


man, General Grant and General Logan.
WASHINGTON. Jan. go Il Special. If
American citizens are now proud OF their
national capital, the day will soon come
when they win DO glad 10 pit II against
any other capital In the world for true
beauty and artistic aspect, confident that
the verdict will be IN favor OF Washington.
In addition TO the splendid government
buildings already existing here which are
larger and finer than the structures OF any
other capital have ever seen, and also ar
ranged In such manner as to give a more
impressive effect, the American capital Is
now being adorned by a number OF other
buildings and by statues as well which
are calculated 20 add TO the beauty of the
city. In previous dispatch i spoke of
the splendid new library building, which
Will be ready for occupancy probably by
next fall. lt is not generally known that
about the same time there will be COM
plotted the finest picture gallery on the
American continent. lt Is the new Cor
coran Art gallery, which stands near the
war, state and navy building. In fact,
connoissours In architecture say this build.
ing Is the most perfect and artistic struo-
turo in all the world devoted 10 that pur-
pose. 1t is not as large as the Louvre or
national gallery, In Paris, of course, nor
yet as extensive as the national gallery on
Trafalgar square in London, and galleries
In Munich, i'm Berlin, in Vienna, in Rome
and even Copenhagen are larger in super
fetal or cubical area, bat travellers say they
cannot call TO mind an art gallery in Eu-
rope which equals this IN true beauty OF
architecture and in perfect adaptabillty Of
details
The COrcoran Art Gallery.
The new Corcoran Art gallery has cost,
| building and grounds, about 1000, 600,
and is the work Of an American architect.
1t is built largely OF Georgia marble, and
its facade Is remarkably simple. William
W. Corcoran left fund Of $1,000 GOO for
this gallery and school, which has long
been one Of the most celebrated art estab-
lishments in America. Mr. Corcoran was
banker in Washington for nearly half a
century, and amassed a large fortune in
placing government bonds. He fioated
In Europe the first American securities
ever sold abroad. He had the good sense
10 leave his money 20 the art gallery in
such shape that it IS absolutely within the
control Of the trustees, the wisdom Of this
being seen in the arrangements which they
have been able 10 make for leaving the old
building and the occupancy Of the splen-
did new structure now nearing compile
ton.
All visitors TO Washington 60 to the
Corc0ran gallery. 1t contains one Of the |
most celebrated pieces Of statuary, Powers |
Greek Slave which entrances all who |
behold it and Is 10 this day regarded as the |
most perfect delineation of the human |
form divine in marble in all the world. 1t !
e. co. . AZ
occupies a prominent site opposite tho war |
department, TO the government for the use |
Of the supreme court 1t would make an |
exceedingly desirable home for this great |
tribunal with ample room for the court |
chamber, retiring rooms consultation |
rooms, library and offices. The quarters
which the supreme court now occupies,
the old senate chamber are inadequate to
the requirements of the court. Only two
or three hundred spectators can be accom-.
modatCd In the courtroom and the Offices,
library and other appurtonancos of the
court are compelled 20 get along with
scant space.
More Room Wanted.
Congress wants the room occupied by |
the supreme court, too, and il is surmised |
that for this reason it would not be a diff
cult matter TO induce the national legis-
laturo 20 make appropriation for q new
supreme court building. In case the su-
prene court evacuates its present quarters
it will be interesting to watch tho senate
and house quarrel for the right TO step in
and take possession. Already the senate
has exactly cnc-half OF the great capitol
building and besides occupies very large
building across the street, known as the
Maltby, for rooms for senator's still tho
cry is for more space, while the members
of the house manage TO get along with
their half Of the capitol. The congress
men, who number $50, are curious to
know why &c is that the IS senator's can
not be satisfied with their part of the ma
tional statohouse and the Maltby building
besides
Another great improvement now being
made I'm Washington is the new govern
ment pOstOflice, which will soon be finish
ed. IL stands on Pennsylvania avenue, |
about midway the great thoroughfare
which runs from the White House and
treasury TO the capitol, and being q beau
tiful and lofty building relieves to some
extent the squalor of that part Of the town.
Models of Statues.
In the war department are exhibited the
models Of "a number Of equestrian statues
of General william T. Sherman, from
which "a jury Of award is soon to select one
for adoption by the government. The site
for Che sherman statue has not yet been
chosen, but "a conspicuous spot will DO |
found worthy the fame of the great cap |
tain In this connection l am reminded |
of the criticism passed upon tho competi-
tive models by many artists and others |
who are admirers OF the character Of Cen |
eral sherman. With one or perhaps two |
exceptions these artists have depicted Gen |
eral sherman solely as a military man. |
They have made 10 allowance whatever |
for his great fame as q citizen. 1t is con-
tended that the man who was great enough |
20 refuse the presidency Of tho United |
States, as General sherman did, not only |
once but twice, even going so far as TO |
say ho would not accept If nominated and |
putting his refusal upon the ground that |
he was not fitted for the responsibilities Of |
the Office, had a character great and adj |
mirable enough 20 secure for him consider |
alton from some other than the military |
standpoint alone. The objection made TO |
most Of the proposed statues is that they |
depict sherman as n man of blood and |
iron, az a leader in destruction and car
mage, and wholly overlook those strong
characteristics of bis which made him such |
great citizen IN peace. In one or two u |
the designs this objection IL not 20 bosom, |
and the hope is widely expressed that the |
jury Of award will give preference 20 one |
of the models which grasp both sides OF |
the great commander character
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