Evening star., 1896-01-04
Exhibition Of Artists Designs for
the Proposed Statue
IS seen AT The WAR DEPARTMENT
Various Ideas for "a Monument to
Be Erected Here.
IN G o M P ETI 10 N


formed into hall of sculpture in minia-
ture. and will well repay a visit from those
who take an interest in that branch of the
arts. The space in question has been set
aside by the Secretary of War for the exhi-
hilton of the various models which have
been entered in competition for an eques-
trian monument to Gen. w. T. Sherman,
which is to be erected in this city, on a site
| not yet selected, under the general auspices
OF the Society of the Army of the Ten
| nessee. Authority to supervise the con-
struct!on and erection of the proposed
monument is vested in a committee con-
sisting of the Secretary of War, the major
general commanding the army and COM
mittee of the Society Of the Army of the
tennessee, composed of Gen. G. NJ. Dodge
Of New York, president; Col. j. F. Howe of
st. Louis, treasurer; Gen. J. w. Noble of
st. Louis, Col. d. B. Henderson of Du-
buque, Iowa; Col Augustus jacobson of
Chicago and Col Cornelius Cadle of Gin
cinnati.
Several months ago the committee of the
Society of the Army of the Tennessee sent
circular letters to all the principal sculp-
tors in the United States inviting their par
tlcipation in competition in designs for
the proposed monument, and giving the
conditions for it's government. 1t was
stated at the outset that the sum of $685. 900
has been raised by subscription and nv an
preparation by Congress for the monument,
and that, deducting awards, travelling and
other necessary expenses, there would be
available for the entire cost of excavation,
foundation, pedestal, equestrian statue
etc, the sum of $4,000. Competitors were
Instructed to prepare their designs for the
completed structure in position on that
monetary basis. They were also required
10 SEND their models to the Secretary of
War, at their own expense and risk on or
before the 1st instant Each design was to
be shown in an accurate and elaborate
model including both the pedestal and
statue, on scale of one inch to one foot.
The Best FouS Designs.
1t was announced that the contract for
the work would be awarded ito the artist
whose design is deemed best, provided it is
| considered satisfactory" 1t was also stipu-
lated that the sum of $1,000 each will be
paid ito the artists submitting the next
| four designs deemed satisfactory for so
important work. but whose models have
not been accepted, provided so many are
| found worthy OF consideration" These
awards will be paid, from the monument
fund within thirty days after the decision
has been rendered. The competition is re-
strcted to artists and, sculptorS residing in
| this country and American citizens residing
| abroad, and the successful artist will be re-
! quired to model the ,fuil-siZed statue in the
| United States, where also all the stone
work and bronze casting must be done.
! These statements fully explain the pres
| Gen. sherman on horseback in the hall
ways of the top floor, of the War Depart
ment building. Over fifteen designs have
| been received and set up for exhibition,
| and it is said that several others are now
| on the way to this city, Notwithstanding
| the impression that january l was the last
| date OF which entries gould be made Most
| of the prominent scuiptors in the country
| are represented in the exhibition, and the
committee will have no difficulty, it is be-
| iieved, in finding satisfactory one. There
| are SO many excellent designs that the Sc
| lection Of the best may prove somewhat
| embarrassing. ..-.-
| In reaching their conclusion on this i'm
| portant point the committee men will have
| the valuable artistic and professional as
| sistance of such sculptors as Saint Gaudens
| and Olin Warner and such architects as
Bruce Price and Charles Post. The models
! are to be on public exhibition for two weeks
I prior to rendering the final decision. but
rot afterward, in order to enable the gen.
tlemen named full opportunity for a critical
iTspection of each before deciding upon the
selection of the one to be used to perpetuate
| the memory of the hero of the Atlanta cam
! paign.
! All the models have been set up under the
| direo ton of Col. j. NJ. Wilson, in charge Of
| public buildings and grounds, but that is the
| extent of his authority in the premises. He
| has extended the exhibitors all the facilities
| at his command for the display of their
| models and has stated his willingness to
meet any reasonable request in the matter
| The exhibition is proving great attraction
| to the clerks and employees of the State,
War and Navy Departments, as well as to
! the outside world, and the corridors have
| been thronged with visitors since the OPEN
| ing of the exhibition Thursday last. In
| most cases the sculptor Is on hand. He
| takes pleasure in explaining the motive and
character of his design, and does not hesi-
| tate at a criticism of the designs Of his
| brotf er artists.
| 4 Protest Filed.
| or;c he
| competition, and it has been made the sub
! ject of protest to the committee. It is In
regard to the considerat ton of models which
| arrived at the War Department after jan
| uary 1, the date on which the entries were
| supposed to close. The following is copy
! of the protest:
Gen. Dodge and Members of the Sherman
Statue Committee Of Army of Tennessee:
| Gentlemen: The undersigned, a majority
| of the sculptors competing for the Sherman
| statue to be erected in Washington, re-
SI:ectfully and earnestly request that the
clause of circular issued by committee and
| bearing upon the time of acceptance of
| models, viz: January; l, 1885, be enforced
| We feel that it is but justice to those who
| have made every effort to present their
work in season that this be done, and that
| all models submitted after January 1, 1885,
be ineligible.
We make this request after careful
| thought, and in the belief that we are ask
| ing for simple justice in the matter.
Very respectfully,
(SigneD Arthur Suzo, J. Massey Rhind
| L. Amatier, Wm o. Partridge, James E,
| Kelly, Adrian Jones, H. ]. Ellcott, VIM. B.
| Gray, Edwin NJ. Van Note and others.
| The clause in the circular referred to in
| the protest reads as follows: "All artists
| competing must send free of expense and
| risk. to G. NJ. Dodge, president of the So
! ciety of the Army Of, the Tennessee, care Of
the Secretary of War, Washington, D. c.,
| on or before January,i1, 1896, an accurate
| and elaborate model Of their design etc.
Several of the models on exhibition were
| not set up until ThSrsday, the I'd instant
and there were fewfwhich did not put in
| an appearance until Friday, and it is to all
| Of these that the objection is aimed Inas-
much as the first day of January was a
| national holiday in9the District, requiring
| the closing of the executive departments
| and also because the circular required only
| that models in competition should be sent
en- or before Januafy'., /, without fixing a
| time limit for their ,Geceipt, it is under
protest to th> extent 6f throwing out those
| models which met the letter of their cir
| cular IL not the spirit. 1t is certain that
| the committee will not consider any models
! when there has been an unreasonable de-
| lay in their receipt
| Without intending any invidious COM
| parlson of the merits of the various de-
| signs in competition. a brief description of
the various models on exhibition is given
| as a matter of general inttceSt