Evening star., 1945-07-08
Capital Sidelights
BIZ VIII P. Kennedu.

Few in Congress or In the Navy estab-
lishment today ever have heard how the
figurehead of Gen. Jackson was re-
moved from Old Ironsides. The solid
men Of Boston" were greatly incensed
when they learned that it was while en-
joying their hospitality that Jackson
actually had signed the order removing
Government deposits from the Bank of
the United States. When, shortly after
ward, 1t became known that the Boston,
built frigate Constitution, then being
repaired at the Charleston Navy Yard,
was to have a full-length carved figure
of jackson fastened to its prov, they
considered themselves insulted. The
man commissioned TO make the carving
was warned to stop work on It, He had
his half-carved block taken to the Navy
Yard and there completed his task un-
der protection of guard Of Marines.
When the figurehead was finished 1t
was bolted to the cutwater of the Con-
stitution. which then was hauled out
and anchored with an armed vessel on
either side.
To the scene came Capt Samuel
Dewey, daring young mariner from
Cape Cod, determined to decapitate the
obnoxious image. On dark and stormy
night he sculled out TO the frigate and
with finely-tempered saw cut of the
head of the efigy. Safely back in
town, he displayed the trophy to friends
at Gallagher's Hotel. The Wings made
lion of him and Commodore J. D. e.
lott gave vent to impotent. frantic rage
at the insult" to his chief.
Dewey next appeared In Washington.
With his trophy tied up In a bandanna
handkerchief, he presented his card at
the Navy Department and sought audi
ence with Secretary Mahlon Dickerson.
The austere and dignified Secretary de-
clared himself very busy. It will thank
you to be BRIEF" he said. Obligingly,
with his blue-gray eyes twinkling,
Dewey replied: IT am the man who re-
moved the figurehead from the Consti-
tuition. am here to o-xestore it." Sput-
tering against the audacity Of his visi-
tor, the Secretary announced, as he
rang for messenger: "I will have you
arrested Immediately" Dewey calmly
replied: "As a lawyer you know there
is no statute against defacing ship
of-war. All you can do Is sue me for
trespass in the county where the Of
fense was committed" Rejecting mo-
ment, the Secretary calmed down and
asked Dewey how he had removed the
head. When he had heard the story, he
requested Dewey to wait in his ONCE
for few moments.
Followed by messenger carrying the
head In the bandanna sling, Secretary
Dickerson then stepped over to the
White House. When President jackson
saw the effigy he burst into uncontrolled
laughter: That is the most infamous
craven imagine I ever sawl The fellow
did perfectly right. Just give him
kick with my compliments" Dewey
finally was rewarded by appointment as
postmaster in Virginia town. On his
business card he had his name Dewey"
lettered large on picture Of a handsaw,
with the legend, "I came, saw, con-
quered."
*k X
Every day for many months 10000
loaves of bread were baked In the
Capitol. During the Civil War the halls
and various chambers were used as
barracks by the soldiers, who barricaded
the outer doors with barrels OF cement
between the pillars The basement gall
leries were used as storerooms for Army
provisions and the vaults were convert
ed into bakeries. Twice during the first
year Of the war the Capitol was used as
a hospital and scores OF the Nations
defenders died there.