Evening star., 1932-12-04
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

The Statue of Liberty, which doni-
mates the harbor of New York, was the
gift to America of the
Barthholdi people Of France and the
Stain. work of Frederic Auguste
Bartholdi, who conceived
the idea Of this symbol of gratitude to
Americans for their sympathy and
service to France during the Franco
German war. Through his efforts and
In part through liberal subscription
from his own private fortune, the cost
Of the monumental figure was raised
in France. The people Of New York
provided the funds for the pedestal, but
SO slowly that although the statue was
completed in Paris in October, 1881. the
work on the pedestal was not begun
was not dedicated until October, 1886.
The Star of December 2, 1882, says:
THE committee to raise the money
necessary to pay for the pedestal of
the Bartholdi statue have at last made
start on their mission. They have
pledged themselves to the payment Of
considerable portion Of the sum
needed, but seem to think they will
have to 60 on a begging mission
throughout the country to raise the full
amount. With the immense wealth OF
New York, this admission is discredit-
able to the public spirit Of the people
there
1.-THE statue is made Of beaten cop
per, nodded into form, and Is entitled
Liberty Enlightening the World Plant
ed at commanding point at the en-
trance to New York Harbor, as is now
the plan, 1t will not only stand as
mammoth and magnificent work Of art
by day. but will be even more conspicu-
Gus at night. as 1t will shame the moon
and throw lighthouses in the shade by
the brilliant illumination from its top.
The statue will wear star-lighted
crown, and the enormous hand will
bear torch proportionate in size, the
electric light being used fer nlunlina-
ton. With the pedestal the total length
will be about 300 feet, the statue above
measuring las feet from the feet to
the top Of the torch. The hand Of this
statue was among the attractions Of
the centennial. and its size will convey
to the thousands Of visitors there an
idea Of the complete work
1T not to be supposed that New
York City. the great commercial
metropolis of this country, will, because
of the $25o.O 900 needed for the pedestal,
fail in the undertaking of planting this
commanding piece Of art in its harbor.
Failure would be worse than humilia-
tlon now; 1t would be disgrace. The
statue was presented to the United
State by the French people on condition
that the pedestal should be constructed
and paid for in this country. The do
nors evidently appreciated the fact, now
recognized by the world, that nowhere
can liberty be so truly emblemized as
in the United States"
A decidedly lame duck" Congress as
sembled December 1, 1882, the Re
publican majority in the
Lame luck House Of Representatives
Conpresx having been wiped out in
November elections. The
Star in a discussion OF the situation
in its issue Of that date says:
THE tax bill comes over from the
last session as unfinished business, but
consideration of it may be delayed in
order to give each party time for con-
ference and consultation. The Re-
publicans, having control Of both
houses, may prefer to determine
upon some precise line of tax reduc-
ton before permitting the question to
come up in either branch. This Is q
question the treatment of which must
have considerable influence upon the
politics Of the country, and hence it
is not likely to be handled with any
undue haste. The Democrats, though
the minority party. occupy q position
which devolves the greater degree OF
responsibility upon the minority than
commonly falls to It. The Republic
ans are scarcely more than nominally
in control Of the Senate. With the
committees in their hands, the Re-
publicans can direct legislation. but they
have not the power within themselves
to pass it through the body. In the
House the Republicans have q real
majority. but it is not sufficient to
enable them to enact legislation over
the determined opposition Of the
minority. Should the present session.
therefore. disappoint the country upon
the important question of tax reduc-
ton, neither party can escape its share
Of the responsibility"