The Hawaiian gazette., 1900-02-13
GOSSIP OF
WASHINGTON
dwelling of Webster
Statue.
THE ANECOOTAL BUDGET
The Umbrella Congressman - The
President Of HOnduras--Senator
CockrelI's Army Experiences.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 27.-The white
draplngs that have for months wrapped
the colossal efigy 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 I'M
yelling were interesting and in good
taste. Mr.. Hutchins' letter OF presen-
tation was modest, Mr.. Chambers ac-
ceptance OF 1t 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 1t, too,
at the intersection of Massachusetts
and Rhode Island avenues with Six
teenth street, is fortunately chosen.
Some years ago Mr.. Hutchins pre-
scented to the city bronze statue of
Benjamin Franklin, which he placed in
Pennsylvania avenue, near Tenth
street, hoping to make there a 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 a 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 a 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 a valued friend of Web
ster, to whom he had shown many ia
vors in 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
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 arc 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 a subscription to erect
one?"
The idea appealed to Mr.. Hutchins
and he Immediately formed commit
tee to raise sufficient amount of
money and provide for the erection of
a tribute to the great American. The
eminent men he brought together,
among whom was President Arthur,
were enthusiastic regal ding their
work, and sent out an eloquent appeal
for funds, to which they received not
a single response. Failing to receive
the sympathy and aid of the public in
his high purpose, Mr.. Hutchins pro-
vided for a memorial to New Hamp-
shire's most eminent son out of his
own private fortune, and magnani- |
mously presented ii to the nat on.
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 a 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.
Zone 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 a fluent talker in the sense of
being able to converse about tribes. but
needed sympathetic listeners. and, in
deed. was more eloquent when he had |
a 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 |
a dandy.
/ 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
every one. A great man, truly, and
one who will live and deserves to live
in the history OF his country, II for
nothing else, for the mastery way in |
which he settled the Ashburton treaty. |
Two great men. England's Special |
Ambassador and our Secretary OF State, |
met quietly; calmly they went through
their work; there was no excitement.
no furry, no long, sensational news
paper articles. Everything was done
In order, In amity and good will. What
an example to the men OF today, with
their constant quarrelling and quib-
bling!"
Hardly a member OF Congress but
comes TO Washington with deep-seated
opinions of what Is correct for Rep
resentative TO do, wear and say. and
many OF them gain their Ideas from
droll sources. Mr.. Cochran OF Missouri,
for instance. had read In one OF Mark
Twain's celebrated books that the
proper equipment for a man In Wash
ington was an overcoat, fan and an
umbrella. He accordingly armed him ]