Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-13
AN. ART COMMISSION.
The Bill a. Amendednalsd Iassed b,
the Sen2te.9

The Bill AZ AmcndedHaAd Eassed by
the Senate.s
The Senate yesterday afternoon, on mo-
ton of Mr.. Hansbrough, passed the bill. 8.
1922, creating an art commission, after 1t
had been amended in several particulars.
Mr. Hoar asked why aTtistY and sculptors
were to be excluded from tie membership
Of the commission. andt Mr. Hansbrough
answered that this was done because
ARTISTS and sculptors run IN schools, and
each school would be ,pEejaaiced in favor
of such works of art as came from it."
Mr. Hoar declared his belief that the great
superiority of France iB 9ntpdern times in
its modern monuments. public works of art
and architecture both. public statues, me-
mortal statues, and SO on, fsgrows out of
the fact that they called into the service
of the government in making the selection
or those works eminent artists. '"They al
ways find that artists who, as they say,
have won their spurs," he continued ARE
impartial and admirable judges, and that
they have at heart the best interests of art
and of the country: and the criticism which
the Senator from North Dakota suggested
does not apply. Now, once or twice within
my knowledge there have been called in
as advisers in such matters st. Gaudens
and Mr.. Richard Hunt, who recently died,
both eminent artists of the city Of New
York. Their advice has been of the great
est value. 1 should be very seriously in
Chucu 10 move an ameEQment striking ont
those words and leaving the appointments
to the discretion of the appointing power"
IT the Senator will read section 2 of the
Dill answered Mr.. Hansbrough, che viii
to statuary to be located in the various
parts OF Washington. 1t Is confined ex-
clusively to statuary and works of art
which are to be placed in the Capitol build
not relate in the least to statues to be To-
Gated sbout the city, That is to be done
MI Hoar moved to strike out the clause
amendment was accepted Mr.. Hoar fur
tner moved to amend by striking out the
requirement that the commissioners shall
De men "eminently distinguished in litera-
very best man in America for such a pur-
pose might not chance to be distinguished
IN literature and the amendment was ac-
cepted: also one requiring the commission
20 convene annually instead of semi-an-
reads thus A-'"Se'
That there be. and hereby is. created
oony which shall be known and designated
as inc art commission of the United States.
10 consist of five persons who shall no
citlzens of the United States Selections
1or membership in said commission sha b,
n nade IN the following manner. to wit:
one member to be named by the President
OF the United States for a term of six.
years: Two by the Senate, one for a term of
Two years and one for a term of four
years, and two by the House of Represan-
tatlVes, one for term of two wears and
one Tor term of four years; and after the
expiration OF the terms above prescrih-
ed, the term of office of each commissioner
shai! be for six years. The said commission
Snail be invested with the duties and priy-
lieges hereinafter mentioned.
Ihat 1t shall be the duty of said cono-
MISSION to convene annually in the city of
NashlnSton, for the purpose of examining
tne art collections in the Capitol and the
congressional Library buildings, and also
TO inquire into the condition and make in
spection of the Congressional Library
proper. and to examine all works of art
ana valuable historical records and manu-
scripts offered for sale or as a donation to
the United States for use IN the CAPITOL or
Congressional Library buildings. Jypon
completion of such examination, INQUIRY
ana inspection as aforesaid, 1t shall be the
1urtner duty of the said commission to
make annually report of their findings
with such recommendations as the commits
SION may deem proper. to the Senate and
mouse OF Representatives.
Ihat 1t shall be the duty of the librarian
OF CONGRESS to designate suitable rooms
IN the Library building as a permanent
meeting place for the said commission and
their successors. The librarian shall also
assign page and a messenger to do duty
IN connection with the work and to be I'M
der the control of the commission while
the same is in session."