Arizona republican., 1903-10-16

and it was not until 1895 that the Society of the Army oi the Tennessee saw its way clear to invite the prin- cipal sculptors of the world to submit designs. The model finally selected was submitted by the noted sculptor, Carl Rohl-Smith. in May, 1896. and was chosen from among 26 designs offered by competing artists.
 It will be gratifying to those of Sherman's veterans who are living here iu the far west. many of whom may not look forward to the pleasure of seeing the monument itself, that the completed memorial is one that would were he living. And, indeed. the coun- try generally is to be feiicitated upon the completion of a monument which not only worthily honors the memory of a great American. but in general Is positive ornament to the national capital. as well. The most competent critics have been able to suggest only minor defects, and upon these they are not agreed. The monument will stand. therefore. not only as a memorial to Genera, Sherman, but also to the com nonsense methods that were pursued in securing the design. Everybody who has seen some of the monstrosi- titles in the way of monuments that are scattered through the city of Washington has regretted that the policy of inviting competitive designs from the leading sculptors has not been uniformly followed. Too often. a Of citizens, having practically no knowledge of art or what a monument should be. have ordered the work in hand as if it had been a sack of pota- toes. We wish to erect a monument to Soandso-man on hqss, and all that sort of thing you know, but it nlusn't cost tee much; let's have your bottom figures" has been expressive of the policy of at least some of the men who are responsible for the sights that are to be seen at the na- tionaa capital. The new congressional library and the Sherman monument seem to mark an awakened apprecia- ton of the beauties of art in the minds of our national lawmakers.
 To General Russell A. Alger, in fact who. by the way, will be in Phoenix in a day or two-and to woman Of ar tistic spirit belongs large measure of
 
 which was unveiled before President Roosevelt yesterday. While Gen. Alger was secretary of war MT. Rohl-Smith died, and it was feared that no sculptor his work and carry out his design. But the contract for competing the monu- ment was. renewed by Secretary Alger in favor of MT. Rohl-Smith's widow who had entered into the dead sculp- tors ideal. Under direction of the secretary. tie artist friends of Mir Rohl-Smith were called in, and those who appeared 10 be most competent and most in touch with the ideas of the author were employed to complete the work.
 The monument comprises an eques- trian statue mounted upon pedestal of granite and ma1ble-a familiar figure it must be admitted-and bas- reliefs representing An Incident in the Battle of Missionary Ridge "The Battle of Atlanta "The March Through Georgia and sherman in Camp at Night" On the terrace base are four heroic b. onze standing figures on the corner pedestals. represeting the men who followed Sherman in his campaigns. Groups representing War and Peace" stand out from the marble pedestal These are conven- tional arrangements. of course, and Judging from the photographs of the monument as a whcle the dignity of the statue would not have been less ened had some of the figures been omitted, but as already indicated, a happy following of artistic lines has made these minor objections hardly worth while.