The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-02-10
GOSSIP OF
WASHINGTON
dwelling of Webster
Statue.
THE ANECDOTAL BUDGET
The Umbrella Congressman = The
President of Honduras--Senator
CockreIPs Army Experiences.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-The white
drapings that have for months wrapped
the colossal effigy of Webster, the gift
of Stilson Hutchins to the Government,
were removed on Thursday in the
presence of a distinguished audience.
The ceremonies that marked the un-
yelling were interesting and in good
taste. Mr.. Hutchins' letter of presen-
tation was modest, Mr.. Chambers ac-
ceptance of it and the orations that
followed were eloquent. The statue
itself is by Chevalier Trentanove, who
has been happy in the treatment of his
subject. The figure expresses dignity
and repose. The position for it, too
at the intersection of Massachusetts
and Rhode Island avenues with Six
teenth street, is fortunately chosen.
Some years ago Mr.. Hutchins pre-
sented to the city bronze statue of
Benjamin Franklin, which he placed in
pennsylvania avenue, near Tenth
street, hoping to make there printing
house square; he was the prime NOV
er in raising subscription for the pur-
chase OF house for Mrs. Hancock, and
has lately given valuable property to
be used as an asylum for the blind
The public-spirited citizen does not,
however, pose as donor of monu-
ments or philanthropist, and depre-
Gates the attention attracted to him
because of his generosity. The reason
that led him to make these magnificent
gifts was practical, and he has had
much pleasure and satisfaction in their
beStoWal
The idea of giving statue of Web
ster to the city was suggested to Mr.
Hutchins at the time he was raising a
subscription for the Hancock House
by w. w. Corcoran, a subscriber to
the fund and valued friend of Web
ster, to whom he had shown many IA
vors in a financial way. Mr.. Corcoran
had come into possession of the house
formerly owned by Webster, afterward
celebrated as the home of NJ. De Mon
tholon, Minister at this capital from
France during the Civil War, and a
magnificent entertainer, now occupied
by Senator Depew, and, being constant
ly reminded of the great statesman by
his surroundings, used to delight in re-
calling their former intimacy.
You are a New Hampshire man"
he said to Mr.. Hutchins, "and ought
to be interested in Webster. There is
no statue of him in the city. Why
don't you raise subscription to erect
one?"
The idea appealed to Mr.. -Hutchins
and he Immediately formed commit
tee to raise a sufficient amount of
money and provide for the erection of
tribute to the great American. The
eminent men he brought together,
among whom was President Arthur,
were enthusiastic regarding their
work, and sent out an eloquent appeal
for funds, to which they received not
single response. Failing to receive
the sympathy and aid of the public in
his high purpose, Mr.. Hutchins pro-
V1ded for a memorial to New Hamp-
shlres most eminent son out of his
own private fortune, and magnani-
mously presented it to the nation.
The Webster monument is within a
stones throw of Louise Home, where
Mrs. Semple, the daughter of President
Tyler and friend of Webster, who
was her fathers Secretary of State, is
spending her last days. She can give
no opinion regarding the merits of the
statue as portrait, since her eyes are
dim with age, but this distinguished
woman has much that is pleasant and
interesting to say regarding her famous
contemporary.
He impressed me once" she said.
"One could see he was in no sense an
ordinary man. His great intellect was
apparent, and his keen eyes, like bright
lights in cave, so deep set were they,
/ looked through and through one. He
was not fluent talker in the sense OF
| being able to converse about trifes, but
needed sympathetic listeners, and, in
deed, was more eloquent when he had
few glasses of wine; then he would
monopolize the conversation, to which
no one objected, he was so brilliant
and entertaining. His costume when
knew him was invariably the same
a blue coat with brass buttons, and
! gray trousers-but he was in no sense
dandy.
I shall never forget how he appeared
at my sisters wedding-she was mar
ried at the White House when my
father was President-he was in such
! good spirits, such gay good humor
| imbued evidently with the spirit OF the
, occasion, genial and pleasant with