New-York tribune., 1902-05-21
GIFTS TO THE CHAMB
COSTLY STATUES TO ADORN
ITS NEW HOME.
FIGURES OF CLINTON, HAMILTON AND
JAY GIVEN BY MESSRS LESUP,
KENNEDY AND DODGE.

1t became known yesterday for the FIRST time
that the Chamber of Commerce had received as
gifts three groups of statuary, the cost of which
amounts to about $4,000, The statues will
a dorm the front Of the home of the Cham
ber. in Llberty-st The statues are in memory
Of distinguished New-Y orkers who were idenu-
fed with the earlier history of the Chamber
and they have been given to the association ap-
proprtatelv by members Who are in the public
eye at the present time
The men in whose memory the three statues
will he erected are De Witt Clinton, Alexander
Hamilton and John Jay. The first is the gift
Of Norris X. Jesup president of the Chamber
the second is given by John $. Kennedy. and
the third by William E. Dodge. The cost of
each is estimated al about $4,000 The sculp-
tors who are doing the work Daniel French
and Philip MartJny Work has been begun on
the groups but has not advanced beyond the
first stage. Small clay models have been made.
which, though final in the general scheme OF
the subject may nevertheless he altered in
some Of the details at later date: Because
of the great amount of labor involved-in i'm the
chiseIIIng Of the marble. il is not expected that
the statues will be completed in time for the
dedication of the building which has been
planned for November IL Of this year. Inas-
much as the statues will play vital part in the
programme Of this occasion. plaster casts will
he erected in their places. which will he identi-
cal in size and figure their marble proto-
types.
When the characters Of the men who are the
donors of the three statues compared with
the qualities of the citizens whose memories
they have thus sought 10 honor striking smi-
larity of nature is TO be observed. Thus, in the
case OF the statue of De Witt Clinton. which is
given by Morris X Jesup there are many simi
lsV trait no i'm fnn
as Governor and Mayor distinguished hinSeI
by his liberal patronage of education and sci
enCe Mr.. Jesup, president Of the American
Museum of Natural History, has given largely l"
science and one Of the founders of the Young
Mems Christian Association. and of several
other organizations Of a Ike character. ne mas
long been prominently identified with educa-
tionaI work. Mr.. Jesup married Miss Maria
Van Antwerp De Witt daughter of the Rev
Thomas De Witt a relative OF De Witt Clinton
William f.. Dodge. the glver of the statue or
John Jay. while identified with large financial
and commercial interests, has long taken a
warm interest in many diferer' lines OF phiian-
thropc and religious work. much as John Jay
SITS to the Metropolitan Museum of art are IN
line with similar acts of the famous Jurlst ana
diplomat who was an ardent adml1er or works
of art. painting and statuary.
Alexander Hamilton. the first Secretary 2i the
Treasury. and toundes of the United states
Bank is hGnorcd by NJ Kennedy. who is a
prominent 6guit in the present banking and
financial world. Mr.. Kennedy was At one time
partner of Mr.. JcsTI IN the backing mouse
of NJ X ,Iesup & Co. before his estahl- -shment
o. the firm Of >. :; kennedy & Co. Mr. Ken
nedy has contributed much to charity, ana mas
a Iso taken a keen interest in public affairs lie
built the United Charities Building, and gave II
10 be used as the headquarters Of the charitable
societies of the city.
According to the original plans. there were 10
be allegoricaI statues in front of the new Cham-
Der of Commerce Building. II was not untl
work on the building was under way mat
Messrs Jesup. Dodge and Kennedy offered to
erect statues which would have special MS
tOric significance. s we'll as further enhance
the stateliness of the new edihce. AS II Is now
planned the figure of De Witt Clinton VIII stand
in the centre over the office door of the building
the statue of Alexander Hamilton being az the
right hand of the central figure. and that or
John jay on the left. The statues VIII be or
heroic size Of n height of about eight feet ana
each will be fanked on either slde WIN croucn-
inc aIIerorical figures Mr. French is making
the statue of clinton and Mr.. Martiny those OF
Hamilton and jay.