The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-01-11
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Capitol Statuary BecOmingly Drap-
ed-Uneasiness About Governor
Tener's Appointments-Stua A
Popular Goyernor-Always Kept
His Promises-Capital Chat.

January Z, 1911.-For several
days past a gang of marble settlers,
under the direction of Picarelli
Brothers, of New York City, have
been engaged in placing on the pc
destals in front of the State Capitol,
the sculptured masterpieces eXecut-
ed by George Gray Barnard, under a
commission from the Capitol Build
ing Commission. You can always
find a curious crowd watching the
performance, making criticisms, CIV
ing advice and exchanging opinions.
So far only one or two pieces are in
place and the hope that all would be
ready by the time Governor Tener is
to be inaugurated will probably not
be realized, for the work progresses
very slowly. The pieces must be
handled with the greatest care so as
to avoid all danger of breaking or
chipping, and must be set exactly
right.
The expression, curious crowd,
was used advisedly. While only a
few persons have been given a
glimpse at the statuary, which still
reposes in the rough boxes, made of
two-inch plank, somehow there has
crept into the minds of many
Thoughtful persons an idea that these
masterpieces, viewed as they will be
by everybody who comes to the Cap
itol, for business or for pleasure,
ought to be becomingly- dTaped. 1t
was generally supposed they would
be, but they are not. And now pro-
tests are being made to the Commits
sion, urging a covering if the figures
are erected according to the present
plan, while art lovers are insisting
that the statuary be put in place just
as it is, as the artist meant it
should be. Some of the local papers
have opened their columns for an
interchange of opinions, but the
question is agitating the State and
art students all over the country are
watching the outcome.
Concerning the statuary itself,
there is no difference of opinion.
Competent judges aver that no fin
er examples of heroic work have
been done since the days of Niche
langelo, and the fame of Barnard
as a sculptor has been established
for all time. 1t is recalled, with
pride and pleasure, that he is a ma
tive of Pennsylvania, having been
born in Centre county. He is in this
country at present and will remain
until the groups are in place. 1t is
likely that the Legislature will make
an appropriation to reimburse the
gentlemen who financed Barnard,
for, like all great artists, he has not
the business faculty well developed.
AS indicated in a previous letter,
the Senate chose Hon. w. e. Crow
as it's President pro TEN, and the
House of Representatives elected
Hon. John f. Cox to again preside
as Speaker. These are good officers
and the business of the session will
move along smoothly and promptly
under their guidance. U. S. Senator
Oliver was also re-nominated and
will be chosen for the full term of
six years next week. These prelimi-
naries out of the way and Governor
Tener inaugurated on the 18th,
things in the law-making branch will
settle down to business.
There exists more or less uneasi-
ness about the Hill with respect to
the attitude of the new Governor
with respect to appointments. He
has named Walter Gather as his
Private Secretary and Samuel Todd
as his Executive Comptroller, but has
not indicated his wishes on any other
offices. He desires that DIR. Dixon
retain the office of Commissioner of
Health, though the DR.. has not Civ
en- a decisive answer. Gossip has
been busy concerning the Attorney
Generals office, and several gentle