New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-02

ceaseless war for more than fifty years with
the relic hunting tourist and hts twin brother.
the malicious vandaI who destroys for the
mere pleasure Of wrecking that which Is beauti-
fuL historic costly. The contest viii prob
ably continue as long the government owns
anything worth carrying away anything
worthy OF interest in art, literature or science.
Nothing is safe from the souvenir aend. and the
more holy The associations that cling about
historic treasures the more certain are they
20 suffer mutiation at his ruthless hand. Lee
gions Of guards do not suffice 10 protect the
valuables in Washington. and. although every
pnecaution is taken TO checkmate the collector
OF curios. he or she manages 10 make away.
s2Enost daily. with fragments 81 statuaFy pieces
- cloth or leather and bits OF material that
assess sentimental value account OF their
SEnection with the earlier days Of the Republic.
i. EIhe vandal who carries of these relics bodily
or in part is more 10 be dreaded than the
wretch who destroys a statue painting
outright The relic hunter comes again; moth
ing is sacred in his eyes. and he is never salts
fed. The vandal who places a stick of dynamite
at the base OF a statue OF some foreign hero
does so 10 vent his spite in a particular in
stance and If he accomplishes his purpose he is
satisfied and stops there.
The attempt made last winter 20 wreck the
statue OF Frederick the Great at the War Col
a
work. The man who placed the dynamite at the
base OF the bronze figure did so because he bore
q grudge against the German monarchy. and IL
he had succeeded would probably never have
tried 10 injure anything else. unless he had hap
pened 10 come across another object that excited
his peculiar aniTnosities. Not So however with
the miscreant who broke of the toe Of George
Washingtons statue in front of the Capitol.
The hend probably went year after year,
hacking with Ratchet or pounding with hammer.
every historic statue that he could reach unob-
served. What possible use he could make Of a
chunk OF marble Of that size it would be hard
10 determine. He probably took II home and
placed Il in a cabinet with other fragments OF
mutilated statuary that he had gathered from
time 10 time during his travels. and perhaps
now his grandchildren pointing with pride
TO the beautiful souvenir that grandpa brought
from Washington"
The loss of the great toe was not the only in
jury sustained by the GreenOugh Washington.
IN course OF the ceremonies that were held az
the east front Of the Capitol on the occasion OF
President McKinley's first Inauguration another
relic hunter stole one of the little Indian figures
that stood behind the chair OF the first Presi-
dent. How he managed TO disappear with tho
Etatuette Is problem for it was too large 90 be
concealed in pocket or coat, but the fact re-
mains that the thief did get away with It. and
one was the wiser until after the crowds had
gone. The companion Indian was left standing
az the other side OF washington's chair for a
few days while the authorities were debating
the advisability Of duplicating the stolen figure.
but was eventually removed when the conclu-
sion vas reached that Il would scarcely pay 20
GLpend several hundred dollars for the possible
benefit OF future relic hunters.
The widely printed report OF vandalism prac-
Used on the historic table which, since Lincoln
aEst took the oath OF ONCE has served TO hold the
Bible on Inauguration days was however. lack
ing "a foundation. and the allegation that the
table was mutilated by some member OF the dip
tomato corps was absolutely false. The table,
which ls the property OF the family OF the late
Edward Clark, once architect Of the Capitol is
q daintIy constructed piece OF furniture, made
OF solid mahogany. with a delicate beading
around the top or table proper. On inaugura-
ton day. this year. a two inch silver Clipped
from this beading, but those who had the cere-
monies in charge are by means certain that
the slight mutilation the work Of vandals
and are positive that no member OF the diplo-
matte corps was responsible for It. Just before
the President appeared on the inauguration
stand the table was overturned by the strength
Df the wind, and il is regarded as possible that
the accident occurred then. In any event, the
only persons who had access TO It were the
President the Chief Justice Of the Supreme
Court the members OF the Congress commit
tee, the Presidents family and the associate
justices Of the Supreme Court. Members Of the
diplomatic corps were seated not less than fifteen
feet from the table, which was on the raised
stand occupied by the President. Chief Justice
Fuller and the committee
The table was closely guarded this year, be-
cause il came very near being carried off bodily
four years ago. when the Capitol officials failed
10 remove II from the stand Immediately after
the President and his escort left for the White
House. heavy rain had precipitated the direst
confusion the inaugural stand, and the in
vited guests FASTENED into the Capitol, while
many unlimited guests rushed over the stand
and one OF these was just in the act OF passing
the historic table the railing to a con-
federate when detected by a Capitol policeman
one Of the most serious evidences Of van
dslsm 10 be found the House end Of the
Capitol, where the gallery doors are ornamented
Nith bronze tracery, representing fruits, now-
ers end geometrical designs The delicate ten
drills Of the vines and similar projections have
been ruthlessly destroyed by the vandals that
estimate OF the cost OF repairing the injury
was made last winter. and il found that an
appropriation Of $1,000 would be required to
restore the artistic ornamentation TO its origi-
nal perfection.
On March OF this year the yandals made an
heroic statue OF Ceres. the east front Of the
Capitol, the occasion Of concentrated ATTACK
an6r as a result the marble ehigy now shows
I've Ehite spots where chips varying in size
iron q quarter 20 a silver dollar nave been
Tern0s %.
Fortunately the most common form Of van
dalisn prsctised At The Capitol nowadays is
comparatively harmless. 1t consists In the AN.