Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-23

boom of cannon was heard, firing O major
generals salute Of thirteen guns. At the
close of this tribute an original poem suit
able for the occasion was read by Mr.. De-
Witt c. Sprague. which was followed in
turn by the formal Grafton OF the day, de-
iivered by General John NJ. Palmer. then
representing the state Of Illinois in the
air, Hail Columbia" was played by the
Marine Band, and the benediction was pro-
nounced by the Rev. w. H. Gotwald, at
that time post chaplain of the Department
of the Potomac,> Grand Army of the Re-
public. If not ranking as great work of
art, this group may safely be pronounced
a creditable and satisfactory example OF
the class to which it belongs. Indeed, It
seems to have been singularly fortunate in
being generally praised, and In escaping
harsh censure: and the pedestal. designed
by the Mullett Brothers, architects. Of this
city, has been not less fortunate in these
respects. 1t only remains to be added. rs
matter Of detail, that this group was
executed under commission direct from
the federal government. and that a special
appropriation of $4,000 was made by Con-
gress to defray the cost of the figures and
pedestal.
This completes the roll OF equestrian
statues now existing in Washington: but.
as those present are aware. the list is to
pf- CASchOco at uO ulSldHl OSy ny Tie SISC-
ton of three similar monuments, now con-
tracted for, in honor respectively. Of Gen.
erals Sherman. Sheridan and Logan.
The first named of these-that of Sher-
man-might Justly be styled a child Of
misfortune from the beginning. 1t was to
have been executed by Mr.. Carl Rohl
Smith. to whom. after competitive ex-
hibition Of some twenty models. the COM
mission was awarded under circumstances
which produced much unpleasant feeling
among artists at the time. This arose
from the fact that the committee Of award,
acting for the Society of the Army of the
Tennessee. under whose auspices the
statue was to be erected ignored the
recommendations Of an advisory commit
tee representing the National Sculpture So
ciety, which had been invited to pass upon
the merits of the several models shown.
The latter body had selected four designs
which they considered better than any of
the others submitted, and recommended
that the artists who executed them be
asked to further elaborate their respective
conceptions on a larger scale and enter
them for a second competition, when the
final award should be made to the one
then decided to be the best of the new ex
hibit. Instead of carrying out the adj
vfsory committees recommendation as
submitted, the charge was made that the
army committee struck out the name
of one Of the chosen contestants and
substituted for it that of Mr. Smith.
whose work had not been considered
worthy of recognition by the advisory
committee, and awarded the contract to
that gentleman, without further competi
ton. His lamented death, however, will
require that the work shall be completed
by other hands, and it is understood that
under a new contract lately made it will
be carried out by MeSSrS. Henry K. Bush
Brown of New York and Henry Kitson of
Boston, both sculptors Of large experience
and high standing, acting in conjunction.
The Sheridan group Is to be executed by
Mr.. ]. Q. A. Ward. the sculptor who fash
Toned the Thomas, already noticed; but
when it will be put in place can only be
conjectured. since. up to this time, so far
as is known outside Of the artists studio,
but little has been done upon it.
Mr.. Franklin Simmons. the artist who
executed the Peace monument group in
Pennsylvania avenue at the foot Of the
Capitol grounds, was awarded the commits
sion for the Logan statue. This group,
with its elaborate pedestal OF bronze, Is
finished and now in place in Iowa Circle.
bu: not shown. and will, it is announced.
be formally unveiled on the 9Th OF April,
coming, with suitable ceremonies. 1t Is
stated that President Mckinley will pre-
side at the exercises and will make short
opening address; that the Grafton will be
delivered by Senator Depew Of New York;
that Rev. DR.. Bristol, pastor Of the Metro
politan M e. Church, will have charge Of
tn. religious part Of the ceremonies. and
that the actual act of unwilling the group
will be performed by Master George Tuck
er, a grandson Of General Logan.
*
It Is more than likely that at no distant
day four more statues of this class will
be added to those here already mentioned
At the session of Congress which closed
on the 4th Of March an appropriation of
$25OOOO was made for the erection Of q
statue or memorial Of General Grant
which, it is understood will be placed on
the grounds south of the Executive Man.
sion. Just what form this memorial will
take is as yet a matter of conjecture. but
from the very liberal amount appropriated
for the purpose 1t may be assumed that it
will fifty be the most imposing monument
in the national capital. the towering shaft
to General Washington alone excepted; and
equestrian statue will be Included as one
Of its features If it does not prove to be
the dominant note of the structure.
At the same session the sum of $50,
was appropriated by Congress for the ped
estal Of an equestrian effigy of Gen. Nc
Clellan. soon to be erected here by the
Society of the Army Of the Potomac, with
a proviso that any portion of the appro-
priated amount not required for the site
and pedestal might be expended for the
completion Of the statue itself
*
In addition to these two movement
has been started to secure for the federal
city replica Of two equestrian statues set
up in Paris last summer-the first that Of
Washington, by the sculptors French and
Potter. which was presented to the French