The morning times., 1896-02-23

The American citizen from the back
districts who wanaers into the Capitol and
with the help OF a guide views its splend"rs,
hears with omen mouth and slow compre
hension that the gigantic pile cost Sl5,-
100000.
He understands il a little better when he
learns that the pictures and statuaFy are
valued ut a good deal more than half
million, hut Still marvels at this immense
sum laid out in what 10 him are inconse-
Quential trimmings. 1t is true the mere
breadth OF canvas tends To take the edge
off his surprise at the cost oGstbe pictures.
They form the smaller item OF the eX-
penscs for art work, aggregating only about
5000 900.
The Travelled man of the world from one
OF the great cities is astonished when he
takes a good square look At the art treas
lIres OF the Capitol for the first time after
a visit 10 the great galleries, churches and
collections of Europe, but il is for quite
another cause.
lie wonders at the general mediocre or
positively bad quality Of the work that is
pat before him as n sample Of what Amer
ic:s can do in t.:a way Of art. He is a
good deal ashamed, if IL fails TO his lot
10 show the place To any foreigner who has
had an opportunity TO look around little
before coming over here. He does not
pause with him TO dwell upon more than
two or three OF the great paintings, unless
he is specially requested 10y his guest, who us
Interested to point out Tie shortcomings OF
the work. But he ceases TO marvel at the
poor quality when be hears the prices ana
considers tie kinds of means frequently
adopted To secure a sale to The government.
The WaShingtonian, probably, will go
over the pictures with his visiting friend
III rcrfGnciOry way. He may trr to recall
and interpret what he has heard said. hut
he will probably forget what he is saying
very soon. For why should he remember il"
Has lie not The picture 1T hand whenever he
wishes 10 use them?
HOW TIRE PICTURES WERE BOUGHT.
The purchase OF the paintings has covered
q period from tie early days OF the re
public down 20 the present, and the cir
cumstanccs have ICcn Of the most diverse
nature. The bargain OF many has been
above tie faintcSt charge OF favoritism or
worse. and Tie work has stood solely On
its merits: hut in Tie majority Of cases
there has been more or less Of Influence"
and good naturcd cajolery hrCughtto bear,
ii DOtnlllE more btsttllt NBElllE-
A story from far back in Tie days OF
Dollir Madison in TIE White House will
serve 20 Illustrate what is meant. 1t was
then tiat IN artist was selling to the gov
eTnmcnt Some OF tic great Canvases which
NOW ad0rn the rotunda. II is usual TO think
OF the fathers rs quite above criticism, but
the side lights that have been let in by
James Parton and Others have tended
10 gain Crcdcnce for reports never easy TO
authenticate. hut stili handed about aS wei
grounded tradition among the older sets
at the capital.
There were no Harvcy-S, Chamberlain'S,
Pages, ShCcham, Raleigh or Wizards
at that time. The number OF Congressman
was much smaller ard Tie combinations
necessary TO lobby through a bin were
much less complicated than now.
The artist had very nearly secured the
passage OF the appropriation for bis works.
There was pretty sure majority for him
in the Senate, but he could not feel al all
SO confident OF The House. Even at that
carly date the Senate had begun to feel
a superior polish End refinement and to
assume more interest in art and literature.
The backwoOdSnen, who i'm part constituted
the membership Of the more numerous
branch, made no pretcnsiOns whatever TO
understanding or caring for such things.
Some or them were openly boastful OF
their ignorance. But these gentlemen then,
as their inlitatOrs now, were susceptible
TO certain delicate attentions when skill
fully manipulated. II is rot necessary TO
assume that hold offers of money were
made for the delivery OF votes. But, as
now, corporations in need of protection
or help, viii, by social influences, make
IL very difficult for the rampant country or
labor member 10 fight them, so the artist
or contractor then won over the hardy
backwoodSnlan.
VOTES WON BY a GOOD DINNER.
IL was necessary for the artist 10 have
the help Of an uncouth Representative from
q State in the then far West. The gentle
man knew nothing about pictures, but nc
had mother wit and boIdness that made
Linn the leader OF Cotcrie of 4 score of
members who represented constituencies
similar to his own. They would vote upon
such a matter precisely as ne voted.
There stood in that day near the northern
brow Of Capitol Hill hOstelry hat was
rat predecessor OF the famous cafes of the
40s, Orthe war times, and one ofthe present.
Its proprietor was the Wormley Of his gener-
alton. Here the artist, through a Senator
who WAS enlisted in his cause, gave a grand
dinner.
There was excellent turtle soup, and oys-
tcrs Of flavor and fatness rivaling the best
Blne Points, though that name was little
known here Then. There was Westphalia
ham and nicely prepared hog and honlny 10
take off The edge OF the splendor and make
The guests feel a home.
with highly spiced rclishes 10 begin with
and fine coffee served in delicate china i'm
ported from France, together with some
rare vintage Of the Widow Cliquot 10 end
with; with an good things in abundance.
with cut glass and heavily and beautifully
wrought silver OF the old style, with fine
cigars aad excellent Virginia leaf in profu-
sion and a high game OF cards TO close the
reveiling; all The members of tbat particular
circle except a few whose shire wdnesS at
saspectinE purposes was feared. were in
Vited and Toasted. Then when all were fun
Of good things and happy. the work was
done.
DID the Senator in charge of the ma
ncUVcr have a man posted for each of the
votes 10 De won over? Not at ALL But in the
nick Of time, when parting with his good
friend, the leader Of the set. he fell TO talking
of legislation. And just casually, you know,
lie mentioned that the bill for the special ap-
preparation FOR The paintings would come UP
nextday. and by a neatly turned compliment
he caught his guest already well disposed
by his comfortable feed.
II was simply impossible TO resist The
promise Of support was given. The thing
was done. Next day skillful tongues made
known that Representative Blank would
vote for the bin for the pictures. Inquiry
by doubters OF his clique confirmed The re-