The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-20

The statue of General Grant, presented
to the Congress of the United States by
the Grand Army of the Republic and which
was given place in the rotunda of tie
Capitol LIST December, was unveiled yes
terday by Miss Vivian Sartoris, grand
daughter of General Grant, and was for
mally accepted by the Senate and House
of Representatives.
The ceremony of acceptance was begun
in the House at noon and in the Senate at
4 o'clock.
Under the order made for the conduct OF
the exercises in the House the northern
gallery was set aside for the comrades OF
the Grand Army and their guests. In the
Speakers gallery sat Mrs. Grant Mrs.
Sartoris. Miss Vivian Sartoris, and Captain
Sartoris. There was a very fair attend
ance of members on the floor. Mrs. Grant
was dressed in black with a widows bon
net. Mrs. Sartoris wore white and black.
Miss Sartoris wore cream goods of fleecy
texture. Her hat was white leghorn
with aigrettes. Captain Sartoris was in
civilian dress.
At few minutes to u o'clock, Mr.. Frye,
President pro tempore Of the Senate: Mr..
Henderson Speaker OF the House of Req
resentatives; Senator Hansbrough, OF the
Senate Committee on the Library; Repre-
sentative McCleary, of the House Commit
tee on the Library: Sergeant-at-Arms
Ransdell. of the Senate: Sergeant-at-
Arms Casson, of the House; Albert ID.
Shaw Commander in Chief of the G. A. r.;
members of the Grant Memorial Commit
tee, Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Sartoris, Captain
Sartoris. and Miss Sartoris. entered the
rotunda. The string that held the flags
about the statue was loosened and the un-
yelling was complete.
In the House.
In the House the Journal having been
read, the Memorial Committee Of the
Grand Army appeared at the main door,
and were announced by Assistant Door
keeper Kennedy as the committee having
in charge the presentation of the statue of
Gen. L. S. Grant to the United States"
Speaker Henderson conducted them to
seats. As they came down the aisle the
members rose and remained standing un-
til they were seated in the chairs in front
of the first row on the Republican side.
They were S. Burdett, r. B. Beath, Sell
den Conner, r. S. Grant. and Horace S.
Clark committee. and Albert d. Shaw.
Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic.
Speaker Henderson said: "a few days
ago this great body, without a dissenting
voice, agreed TO a resolution which the
Clerk will read
The Clerk read the resolution setting
apart the day for the reception of the
statue giving the privilege of the floor to
the Commander in Chief of the G. A. r.
and his staff and the members of the G. 4.
r. committee in charge OF the statue, and
setting apart certain part Of the galleries
for the use OF the G. A. R. and their guests.
Speaker Henderson-The Chair recog-
nizes the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr.
McCleary. Chairman of the Committee on
Library, in charge of the resolution.
Mr. McCleary--I desire the Clerk to read
the following communication from the
Statue Committee Of the G. A. R.:
Letter Of Presentation.
Sir: In accordance with the Joint reso-
luton to accept from the National En-
campment of the Grand Army of the Re-
public statue land pedestaD of the late
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, approved August
Il. 1896. the committee of the Grand Army
appointed to that end have caused such
statue to be executed, and the same is
now placed in the rotunda of the Capitol.
THE statue is an original work, modelled
by Mr.. Franklin Simmons, an American
artist having his studio in Rome.
"A brief recital OF the origin and pur-
pose of this memorial work seems proper.
General Grant las were others of the
leaders Of the Union Armies. including
Generals Sherman and Sheridan) was
comrade of the Grand Army OF the Repub-
lie. having been mustered into Meade Post,
No. ], Department Of Pennsylvania, on the
18th day of May. A. d. 1877. He wore its
badge on proper occasion, sympa thized
with its objects, and fraternaily mingled
with its membership.
1T was natural. therefore. upon his de-
cease at Mount McGregor, n. Y, on the
23d day Of July A. ID. 1885. that his COM
rades of the Grand Army, while mingling
their grief with that Of all his countrymen,
should desire in some special manner to
signalize their affection for his person and
their appreciation of the great services he
had rendered to his country and to his age.
Accordingly. on the Path day OF Septem-
Der. 1885, the then Commander-in-Chief OF
the Grand Army of the Republic addressed
a circular TO the posts and departments
of the order suggesting the creation of a
fund by voluntary contribution, no more
than - cents to be received from any con-
tributing comrade, for, as stated in the
circular. the erection of monument
which, avoiding all exaggeration or mere
motive of display. shall be in keeping with
the simplicity of the life and character of
our great leader; of such intrinsic excel
lence as shall commend II to the care of
the nation. aud thus through all succeed
ing generations be our memorial as we'll as
monument TO his fame.
AT the succeeding National Encamp-
ment the project was laid before it, met
with its hearty commendation and steps
were taken TO facilitate its accomplish
ment.
by direction of succeeding National En-
csmpments the work was continued until
the finished result was brought within the
shelter OF this Capitol and is now presented
for your acceptance.
THE fund contributed for the announced
purpose represents the offerings OF more
than 10000 of his comrades most of whom
had served in the field under his command,
aud all OF whom had hailed him as COM
rade in the later day of peace.
I'm their behalf, who now survive
commit this semblance of his person TO the
care and keeping OF the nation whose walls
he helped to make stronger, rejoicing in
the knowledge that the memories II viii
invoke are OF good will today and will be
of concord through all coming time. Very
respectfully. S. S. Burdett. r. B. Beath,
Seldom Conner. r. S. Grant, Horace S.
Clark committee. Albert D. Shaw. Com
mander in Chief, Grand Army of the Re-
public.
ITO the honorable Speaker of the House
OF Representatives"
Nr. McCleary'. Address.
MIR. Mccleary then offered a resolution
returning the thanks of Congress to the
Grand Army of the Republic committee
for the statue. declaring that it shall stand
in the rotunda, and that a copy of the
resolution signed by the presiding officers
of the two houses shall be sent to The