The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

one of Thomas Jefferson by the same
sculptor.
The famous Greenough statue of
Washington, which for a number of
years rested on a pedestal on the
Eastern plaza of the Capitol, has by
an Act of Congress been removed to
the Smithsonian Institute. This
statue has a long and curious history.
In 1882 the House of Representa-
tives resolved to employ Horatio
Greenough, of Massachusetts,. to make
a full length pedestrian statue of
Washington to be placed in the cen
tire of the rotunda of the Capitol. The
head was to be a copy of the Houdon
statue, and the cost was to be
100000. The question as to what
constituted a pedestrian statue was
discussed at the time but the artist
evidently had views of his own on the
subject and when the statue was
finished the Committee accepted 1t
without Question-an undraped Ro-
man Washington enthroned in the
Chair of State in fulhlment Of the
contract for a pedestrian statue. 1t
is a huge affair weighing twenty tons
and was made in Florence. The diff
Guilty in bringing it over brought
about another appropriation from
Congress as a ship had to be chartered
and her matches enlarged When it
arrived the doors of the Capitol were
found to be too small to admit it so
the masonry had to be removed. en-
failing another expense. Once inside
the statue was found to be too large
for the place and generally disappoint-
ing. It was ridiculed by connoisseurs,
and Congress at last decided that it
must be removed. and another appro-
priation was made to tear out the door
for its removal. Once outside. it be-
came necessary to spend $3,5OO.OO for
a proper pedestal on which it could
rest So, the pedestal was set up on
the plaza and every winter the huge
statue had to be boxed up and pro-
tected from the elements. Finally.
about two years ago. it was sent to the
Smithsonian Institute, where it is set
up inside the building. The cost of
this memorial showing Washington in
costume of a Roman Senator up to
the present time has been about /
SAB, 100000.
Out in Washington Circle in the /
National Capital stands the famous /
bronze equestrian statue of Washing e.
.on It is intended to represent the .
great General as he appeared at the
Battle of Princeton. and was modelled
and cast by Clark Mills. The sum Of
100000 was contributed by resi-
tents of the District of Columbia for
he purpose.
New York City is next in line In
" Washington memorials The broad
light of steps leading to the United
states Sub Treasury, which is built on
he site of Federal Hall. is broken by
bronze statue representing Wash
ngton taking the oath of office as the
irst President of the United States or
hat spot April 3Oth. 1888. It is the
york of John @. A. Ward, and was
unveiled in 1888. Farther uptown at
he entrance of Washington Park
lands the massive Washington Arch
by the late Stanford White.
nd erected in 1892. 1t is built Of
White marble and cost $3.50. 100000. :
he arch was paid for by popular sub
cription, mainly in small amounts and
lmost wholly by residents Of the City. |
It Union Square Washington is seen I
n horseback in the attitude Of well
oming Lafayette. The statue is one Of I
he most imposing erected in honor Of {
ur First President, and was modelled 8
y H. K. Browne. It originally stood 7
n the grounds now covered by the 3
cooper Union. Even away up at
Iorningside Park. the children Of the {
ublic schools of New York have set I
D a modest bronze memorial of {
Washington and Lafayette. 1t was 7
rected in 1884 and the head of Wash I
lgton is a replica of Houdons IA a
lous work shown in Richmond. Vir Z
mia. and in the Capitol at Washing s
IN The Houdon statue is the only I
ne which shows the statesman in I
epose-all the others represent him r
some heroic posfrion-that OF a
narging on horseback or giving com e
land with right hand either extend .
! or appraised. 1,
In 1896 the Pennsylvania Society s
: the Cincinnati erected an imposing v
to Washington 1t stands .