Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-05

years later; the third scene represents
the burial of de Soto in the Mississippi
river in 1914: then in order follow Po-
cahontas saving the life of Capt. John
Plymouth rock in 1920. PENIS treaty
with the Indians in 1882. the battle of
Lexington in 1875, the Declaration of
Independence in 1875, the surrender of
Tecumseh in 1913, Gen. Scott's entry
into the City of Mexico in 1s47, and the
last event portrayed is the discovery
of gold in California, which was COM
pleted by the artist twenty-six years
ago.
The work has remand unfinished for
two reasons: First, no artist, American
or goreign born, sufficiently skilled
and sympathetic has been found to
complete the frieze; second, the lack
to terminate the procession Of histori-
cal events.
Brumidi was stricken with sickness
and died in 1880. The work on the
frieze was carried on after his death
by Costaggini, who used for his text
the cartoon drawn by the master. 1t
has been thought that Brumidfs de-
sign under Brumidi's treatment would
have filled the belt, but that Costag-
gini somewhat crowded the figures, so
way around. When the cartoons were
exhausted the fresco was suspended
and the blank space left.
It has been said that Brumidi pur-
posely drew his cartoon two scenes
short Of finishing the frieze. waiting
for later subjects, and the charge also
has been made that Costaggini pur-
posely crowded the cartoons. with the
idea Of adding two scenes of his own
Leland Stanford driving the golden
spike at the junction of the Union and
Central Pacific railways, 1859, and
President Cleveland touching the but
ton that opened the worlds fair at
Chicago.
Senator Hansbrough on June /, 1896.
reported from the committee on the
Library a joint resolution providing
an appropriation of $4,000 to complete
the frieze. The design approved by
the committee represented President
Grover Cleveland opening the worlds fair
concentrating the 40Oth anniversary
America. The resolution was not
adopted. Senator Hawley disposed of
it in this speech:
81 am not quite satisfied with an at
tempt to approve history of the United
States, which the frieze is supposed to
suggest, that omits George Washing
ton and Abraham Lincoln and presents
Mr. Grover Cleveland, when we con-
slider the relative positions of Mr.. Lin
coin and Mr.. Cleveland during the
great war of the rebellion. wonder
how a man giving the history of the
United States could entirely skip the
great war of the Union. If you ask
how 1 would put it upon the frieZe. if
the apple tree at Appomattox and
Grant and Lee shaking hands, with
touches and limitations of
troops and various designs"
Many efforts covering. long period
have been made to settle the question
of the subject to be employed in the
of the frieze. June %, 1914.
Smith of Idaho offered
in the House the following as an
to the Sundry civil appro-
priation bill:
For the completion of the historical
frieze in the rotunda of the Capitol by
having painted therein suitable designs
by an American artist of national repu-
and Lee shaking hands at Appomattox,
symbolizing the preservation of the
Union and reunited country; another
representing ship passing through the
Panama canal, and another representing
the navigation of the air, $4,000: Pro-
vided, That the President of the Senate,
the Speaker of the House Of Represent
atives and the members of the commit
tees on the Library Of the Senate and
the House of Representatives shall con-
stitute committee to have charge of
the completion of said frieze. to deter
mine the compensation the artists
should receive, and to make contracts
for the painting of the designs Sc
lected.''
Mr. Fitzgerald made the point of
order on the amendment that it was
new legislation, and Mr.. Smith, being
allowed five minutes to discuss the
point of order, said, in part:
wv, point with pride to our magnif-
cent Congressional Library and the
splendid Senate and House Office build
ings, but we are ashamed of our I'M
finished Capitol. For more than sixty
years it has remained in an uncomplet-
ed condition. I have no doubt that
every new member of Congreaa who