Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-04-17
WORK Of A VANDAL
Abuse of Statesmen ChaIked on
the Capitol.
LEVI P. MORTON COMING BACK
Report That He Will Improve" His
Beautiful Rhode Island Avenue
House Alarms the Lovers
of Beauty.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

BY GEORGE CLINTON.
Washington.-Some one with a
grievance or with an unbalanced mind
has been scribbling on the walls of
the capitol in "a large, free hand"
with blue chalk various uncomplimen-
tary comments about great and al
most great statesmen doing their
country's service in Washington. No
matter what the motive which in
spires the scribbling, the act is one
CT vandal because it disfgures the
and the watchmen are trying to catch
the culprit.
1t will be remembered that not long
ago large piece was cut out Of the
oil painting of Perry at Lake Erie"
Since then a special watch has been
kept to eventrrepetitions Of the van
dalism.
False Alarm About Webster.
Washington was much disturbed a
day or two ago when it heard that
somebody with a chisel had Clipped
pieces out of the marble trousers and
the marble coattail Of the statue OF
Daniel Webster which stands in
Statuary hall. A close inspection has
led to the discovery that the Webster
memorial has not been injured by the
hand of man. Elliott Woods, the SUI
perintendent of the capitol, says that
the holes which were discovered in
the Webster statue were put there by
the sculptor and have been plainly Wis
ible ever since the statue was erected.
Some one suggested that the vandal
who was at work was a new kind of
moth which had developed an appe-
tite for marble garments.
Former ice-President Levi p. Nor
ton has made up his mind to come
back and live in the capital for eight
or nine months a year for the rest of
his life. He owns a beautiful resi-
dence on Rhode Island avenue, where
he lived when he was vice-president
Of the United States under Harrison.
When Mr.. Morton went out of office
the Russian ambassador moved into
the residence and, following him, came
Secretary of State Elihu Root, and
then John Hays Hammond. Mr.. Nor
ton himself lived there for few
months two years ago.
Morton Mansion in Peril.
There is a fine arts commission
which is supposed to take cognizance
Of every attempt to increase the beau
ty Of the capital, cognizance which
embraces the overlooking of improve
ments in public buildings. The wish
has been expressed that the commits
sion might extend its espionage to
private dwellings, for some of the
beautiful old places in Washington
have been remodeled by their socially
ambitious purchasers into mere resi-
dence monstrosities, in many cases
glazing and in most cases unbeautiful
1t is understood that Vice-Presi-
dent Morton intends to spend 100000
to improve his Rhode Island avenue
home. Today it is beautiful as it is,
warm red brick pleasing to look
upon and suggestive in every way of
comfort 1t is now said that it is in
tended to give the house a more state
ly appearance by the introduction of
white marble in places. The old
house has been a comfort to the eye
visitors, and the changes are awaited
with trepidation.
Chidren's Playground Lost.
Washington, with all her monuments
and statues, good, bad and Indifferent,
and all her vacant land, still has not
space left in which to erect public me-
MORALS, and it ought TO be said also
that projects more necessary to the
public health than marble statues, like
Fairgrounds for the children, cannot
be thought of apparently because of
lack of room.
For two years by means of private
subscriptions, for example, a little
grove at the corner of Fourteenth
street and Columbia road has been
used as a playground and fitted up
for the children. 1t was covered with
oak trees of priceless value, as far as
their shade qualities are concerned,
and was one of the most picturesque
spots in the city. It is in the heart
of a thickly settled district, where it
doors and a continual danger to let
them out on the streets.
Nevertheless congress, which would
spend $4,000 for a Federal building
in a town of 2S1 inhabitants, neg
nected to secure this breathing space.
The magnificent oak trees are being
cut down, and where last summer the
place was alive with children, a fam
lily hotel will stand.
Many Monuments Projected.
Should congress be in giving
mood toward the shades of the de-
parted, it is a question where suit
able sites for memorials could be OBJ
tanned The demand for space is in
sistent, and the senate committee on
library has record of no less than
eight requests, while the house com
mittes doubtless has as many more
A bill appropriating 100000 for a
statue of Alexander Hamilton already
has passed the senate.
The suu of $50 000 is wanted for a