Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-15

trte. Miss Smedley is not an artist,
but a great-hearted, hard-headed phil
anthropist who finds it compromising
labor of love to work not only for the
American student but for American
industry and the extension of Amer
lean influence and prestige.
To enter into the history and merits
of the American National Institute is
not possible in our limited space, but
briefly stated, the project is as fol-
lows: President Mckinley and the
state department were led to see at
the time of the appropriations for the
Paris exposition, that there was great
need for an educational institution,
founded by our government and en-
dorsed by the United States, as cen
ter of American influence in Paris,
where the prize students, sent every
year from the different schools
throughout the country, could live I'M.
der the supervision and protection of
our government, as the French stu
dents do in Rome, the Prix de Rome
students. President Mckinley saw
that the results of such an
institution would be far-reaching, re-
acting on all our arts and industries
saving to ourselves all that is now 60
ing to waste from lack of proper en-
dorsement and supervision. Presi-
dent Mckinley recommended that if
the appropriations were increased a
permanent building should be erected,
which at the close of the exposition
should be handed over to the proper
| authorities to be used as national
institute supported by scholarships;
these including painting, sculpture,
music, literature and science. The
French government rendered land
worth $200,0O0 situated in the heart
of Paris, the site bordering upon the
exposition grounds. The appropria-
ton was increased in accordance with
President McKinley's desire, but
through some slip in the operation of
the political mill the item desired by
| the President and it is claimed prom
ised to him, was not inserted, and $10,-
| 900 was spent in tearing down the
building of the United States. Miss
Smedley was not discouraged at this
great loss. She has persisted in her
work. She established preliminary
house and started a practical object
lesson of the necessity for such an in
stitution. She received for the insti,
| tuition gifts in works of art and litera
ture to the amount of over 100000
She comes rendering the United
States property valued at nearly
100000 from the French people on
the condition the congress will receive
these gifts and appropriate $250,00C
for a building to be erected on this
land. The institution will be support
ed by scholarships already on hand OIL
| promised from schools and private in
dividuals; the buildings and lands tc
be vested in the United States and the
entire institution controlled by 8
board appointed by this government.
This gathering of Iowa men ant
women at the parlors of Congressman
and Mrs. Conner was a most eloquent
testimonial that Iowa is interested
and deeply interested in the advance
ment of the arts and sciences. If thi:
most meritorious proposition shall
gain the approval of the committee OF
appropriations of the senate the re
proach of Cow, corn and hog" will b.
forever taken from fair Iowa.
, Senator Depew is sponsor for tn
bill Senator Dolliver. Hon. Geo. E
Roberts and many members of tn
Iowa delegation are greatly intereste,
in the project and are lending thei
) influence and aid in securing tn
passage of the appropriation The.
clearly perceive that the time ha
come for such forward step in tn
direction of utilizing all the power
of our land; not merely those com
. mercial; and the giving of due an,
proper attention to the great possibi
tiles in the line of industries and arts
They realize that the creative powe
is tremendous force for good j
properly directed and as great for evi
if neglected. Frank J. Stillman.