New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-21
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
THE WEBSTER STATUE GIVEN TO THE
NATION BY STILSON HUTCHINS,
MIR CoRCoRAN's PART IN SUGGESTING THE IDEA
DIR WHITMAN'S NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
COCKREI4L's DISCIPLINE

Washington, Jan. 2O.-The white oraPlh6S
that have for months wrapped the colossal
efIigy of Webster. the gift of Stilson Hutchlhs
to the Government were removed on Thursday
in the presence of a distinguished audience
The ceremonies that marked the unwilling were
interesting and in good taste. Mr.. Hutchins s
letter of presentation was modest Mr.. Chanu-
ler's acceptance of it and the orations that 1oI-
lowed were eloquent. The statue itself is DS
Chevalier Trentanove, who has been HAPPY III
the treatment of his subject The inquire eA-
presses dignity and repose. The posluon IoF
It, too, at the intersection of Massachusetts
and Rhode Island ayes with Sixteenth-st.' Is
fortunately chosen.
Some years ago Mr.. Hutchins presented to the
citv a bronze statue of Benjamin Franklin,
which he placed in Pennsylvana-ave- near
feminist hoping to make there a Printing
House Square; he the prime mover IN FHi'
ing subscription for the purchase OF houSo
for Mrs. Hancock. and has lately given VAiu-
able property to be used an asylum tor INC
blind. This public spirited citizen does NOT
however pose as donor of monuments VI
philanthropist. and deprecates the attehtioh az
tracted to him because of his generosity. Inc
reason that led him to make these ma8hlhceh'
gifts was practical, and he has had mucn pieslS-
ure and satisfaction in their bestoWal.
The idea of giving statue of Webster to the
CITY was suggested to Mr.. Hutchins at the tlrne
he was raising a subscription for the hancock
house by w. w. Corcoran a SUBSCRIBER 10 the
fund and a valued friend of Webster, to whom
he had shown many favors in hnanclal way
Mr. Corcoran had come into possession OF the
house formerly owned by Webster, afterward
celebrated as the home of NJ De Montholon
Minister at this capital from France during the
Civil War, and magnificent entertainer now
occupied by Senator DepeW, and' pelng con-
stantIy reminded of the great statesman by his
surroundings used to delight in recalling their
former intimacy.
..You are a New-Hampshire man." he said to
Mr. Hutchins land ought to be interested IN
Webster There is no statue of him in the city.
Why don't you raise subscription 10 erect
one?"
The idea appealed to Mr.. Hutchns and he
Immediately formed committee to raise suf-
ficient amount of money and provide Tor the
erection of a 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 sym
pathy and aid of the public in his high purpose,
Mr. Hutchns provided for a memorial to
New Hampshire's most eminent son out of his
own private fortune, and magnanimOusly pre-
scented it to the Nation.
The Webster monument is within stones
throw of the Louise Home, where Mrs. Semple,
the daughter Of President Tyler and a 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
a portrait since her eyes dim with age, but
this distinguished woman has much that is
pleasant and interesting to say regarding her
famous contemporary.
He impressed one at once" she said "One
could see he was in sense ordinary man.
His great intellect apparent, and his keen
eyes, like bright lights in a cave, so deep set
were they. looked through and through one. BE
was not a fluent talker in the sense of being
able to converse about trifles, but needed SYM
pathetic listeners, and, indeed. was more elo-
qUent when he had few glasses of wine; then
he would monopolize the conversation to which
no one objected, he was so brilliant and enter
tanning. His costume when knew him in
variably the samoa blue coat with brass but
TONS and gray trousers-but he was in no sense
a dandy.
II shall never forget how he appeared at my
House when my father was Presdent-he was
in such good spirits, such gay good humor. i'm
bued evidently with the spirit of the occasion,
genial and pleasant with every one. great
man. truly, and who will live and deserves
to live in the history of his country, If for moth