The Washington times., 1905-01-01

10 those who have charge of the collec-
ton What is to be done with the
future portraits?'
A Bad Arrangement
Originally all portraits of the Secre-
taries of War were strung cut along
the staircase leading from the first
floor ef the War Department to the
hallway outside of the Office now occu-
pied by Secretary Taft. This was found
to be a bad arrangement because of the
dampness of the hall which made the
paint on the pictures moist and threat
ened to destroy their outlines.
A few years ago it was decided to
collect all the portraits and have them
in the two anterooms leading into the
Secretary OF Wars private office. This
was done, with the result that forty
eight large oil paintings now adorn
the walls of the two rooms They hang
so close together as to almost overlap.
Crowded Condition.
The overflow into anteroom No. l has
also resulted in q crowded condition.
With one more large picture added the
condition will indeed become serious
so far as providing for future Secre-
taries is concerned
Should the picture of Secretary Taft
be added TO the collection soon it is
doubtful If a place could be found in
which to hang it.
Despite the emergency, there seems
no immediate way of meeting it. Some
one has suggested that the placing of
the portraits in a picture gallery would
be the best way out Of it. but as yet no
one has offered eithaz to build q special
gallery for the War Department por-
traits or to give them space.
Besides, these pictures are the special
property of the War Department and
would have little interest were they re-
moved from their surrounding A spe-
cial fund is set aside IN the cintingency
fund for the I'ainticg Of the portraits.
AS soon as a Secretary of War retires
from office he is asked to sit for his pic
ture. The usual sum for pam ing them
is about $1,000. Thus far the collection
is complete.
Historical Portraits.
There are many interesting features
about the pictures from an historical
standpoint The collection In reality be-
gins with the picture OF Gen. Horatio
Gates, who held eae title of President
of the Board of War in I777.
Alongside of him is a large portrait
OF Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, under
which is the insignificant inscription,
Elected by Congress" meaning that
he was the first Cabinet cfacer of the
United States dignihsd with the title
Secretary OF War" He held Office
from 17Sl 70 I7S5.
Along with these older portraits in
the front anteroom are those of
Stephen b. Elkins and Russell A Alger
of more recent times
The grouping of the pictures is not
with any special regard to sequence.
JEFF Davis Hidden.
The portrait of Jefferson Davis, one
time Secretary of War, does not oc-
cupy q prominent place IL is in q
corner. but has plenty of company.
Directly over it hangs the ByroneSque
portrait of James Barbour, of New
York. Secretary of War. 1S24-S5
OF staid and sober visage, but wear
ing perhaps the most brightly decorated
uniform in the room, is the picture of
Gen. Henry Dearborn, Secretary of
War under Thomas Jefferson
One Year in Office.
James Monroe, small featured and
sharp looking, has n place of promi-
nence just alongside Secretary Taft's
door. He held office for one brief year,
1S14-1S15.
Below him IS the stern, scowIing face
of William l. Marcy, the Secretary OF
War under Presiden, Polk.
Gen John Armstrong, who held office
during the war of 1872, is shown in a
bright scarlet uniform of Colonial days
An especially interesting portrait is
that of Alphonso Taft. father of the
present Secretary OF War. There is a
considerable family resemblance. Al
phonso Taft held office under Grant