New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-29
MONUMENT AND CONFESSION.

Tho disapproval of the Ciaremont site for the
Soldiers and Sailors Monument communicated
| 70 the Mayor yesterday by Mr. J. q. y. ward
| rs president Of the National Sculpture Society,
/ Will almost certainly have the effect OF throw
! ing the settlement OF vcycd question into the
hands Of the next administration. and II may
result IN a new competition Though the pres
dent Of the Municipal Art Society bad consent
cd TO the ClaremOnt site and the other mem
bers OF the Commission are understood to have
approved il. Mr.. Wards artistic Judgment. we
think IS sound and not to he regretted IN spite
of the fact that his veto will prolong a some
wha. tedious controversy and postpone the exc
cut.on Of a tagging enterprise. The single con-
sdcratlon that the monument. II erected at
Claremont would be in close proximity 10 the
Grant mausoleum, ard that each would dimin-
ish the effect Of the other. Is sufficient reason
for rejecting that site.
We agree with those who have expressed the
opinion that there would be decided advan-
tace in resembling so far as possible the action
already taken in this matter and making fresh
start on rational basis Obviously. the suta-
bity of a work OF Gr Is largely determined by
the site which it occupies. In this case the
competitors were fully justified IN supposng
to be erected on the Central Park Plaza That,
in our opinion, Is poor place for such struct-
ure, and it was, on the whole. wisely disap-
proved But undoubtedly It should have been
excluded and a suitable site definitely selected
before designs for the monument were So
licfted. The successful competitors are In no
wise at fault, and If new start should be made
they would he entitled TO have a fair claim for
compensation satisfied by the city But the
junction Of Seventy-second-st. and Riverside
Drive has been suggested rs n site appropriate
in itsel. and harmonious with the accepted de-
sign. and 1t may be that BY n happy chance n
monument planned for n different situation
would disclose IT'S highest merits at that point
If that is the conviction OF Mr.. Ward and his
colleagues, n final and satisfactory choice may |
possibly be made before the end Of the year.
The discussion Of this question has once more /
suggested doubt of the wisdom of the act Civ /
ing an absolute veto power in such matters to |
each of two citizens by virtue Of an office TO |
which he is not elected by the people or ap- |
pointed by public authority. and which carries |
with it only moral responsibility. The pres
idents of the National Scripture Society and the .
Municipal Art Society are not under bonds or
CATH and could not be dismissed or effectively |
rebuked by the public for any abuse 0, the
authority bestowed unon them. TO invest them
with that authority is really az anomalous and
inconsistent with orr system Of government as
Il would beif We may repeat m illustration
which we have already used-to give the presl-
ient Of the Park Bank an absolute veto power
liver the operations Of the clty's Finance De
bartment. Thus far the device has worked
" ell, we believe, and nobody magncs that In
the same hands II would ever be consciously
But It is conceivable, II no; prob
able. that at some time in the future'it might
produce mischief and even scandal. 1t Is not to
be regretted that under the new charter the
present arrangement is 10 be superseded ny the
creation Of an Art Commission. a majority OF
whose members will be appointed by and re-
sponslbe to the Mayor and through him TO the
people, no one OF them having an individual
power OF veto.