Evening star., 1946-09-15
Capital Sidelights
BIZ Will P. Kennedy.

senator jim MEAD OF New YORK,
Democratic candidate for Governor, who,
preliminary to making his whirlwind
campaign for the gubernatorial office,
is resigning from Craftsmanship of
the Senate War Investigating Com
mttee, has had colorful and pro-
gressive career. Previous to his House
service in Congress he was a Capitol
policeman and previous to that he was
brakeman and baggage-master on the
Florida East Coast Railroad. He has
made his own way in the Work and
VIM Horatio Alger style. Some of his
friends believe that he is being sacri-
feed on the political altar to make way
in the Senate for former Gov Herbert
Lehman-after he had surrendered his
own best chances and some of his con-
victions in furtherance of New Deal and
Democratic party policies.
A correspondent asks:
What was the Hot Water War;"
1t came on the heels of the Whisky Re-
bellion, when the Federal Government
levied a tax on houses according to size
and the number of windows When the
revenue agents went to measure the
houses the women folk threw hot water
on them. In March, 1899, the United
States marshal arrested some rebellious
spirits, who were rescued in Bethlehem,
Pa, by an armed band under leader
ship of John Fries. The militia was
called out. Fries was convicted of
treason and sentenced to death while
some of his followers were imprisoned.
President Adams soon pardoned them
and jefferson had the house-tax abol-
ished.
Arizona, Colorado or some other
Western State is likely soon to re-
ceive as gifts by act of Congress two
extremely large and magnihcently exc
cuted Oil paintings that have become
surplus" in the Capitol, and now are
in hiding where seldom If ever any
of the people who throng the Capitol
corridors get glimpse of them. These
are The Grand Canyon of the Yellow
stone and THE Chasm of the Colorado"
executed by Thomas Moran, which have
hung in the north corridor of the Senate
gallery floor, opposite each other and
lighted by a massive bronze chandelier
When the enlargement of the Senate
press gallery became necessary, about 10
years ago, that end of the corridor was
partitioned off, and added to the press
gallery suite. The lighting never has
been suitable for press gallery needs, but
as long as the pictures hang there, David
Lynn, architect of the Capitol, is reluc-
tant to change the lighting, and no other
adequate space for the pictures has
been found. Now that extensive changes
in the Senate Chamber, with related
changes in the press gallery, are sched-
-uled, the problem of what to do with
the Moran paintings becomes acute. All
parties at interest seem agreed that
their proper place would be in the Capt.
tol Building or history museum of some
Western State and it is believed that
resolution to that effect would pass
unanimously, If such State makes a
request for the paintings.
lie TWO pdllituiSS are tIle OIlly eh-
ample of Moran's genius in the Capitol
Charles Fairman, late curator of Capitol
art, who compiled an important volume
on the subject, wrote: THE paintings of !,
Moran are accurate typographical illus
,trations of the scenery of the Western
country, probably approaching in ac-
curacy the work of the camera without
any Of the fnicky sharpness or faulty
perspective of the lens" Moran was
born in Lancashire, England, of Irish
English parents, and died at Santa
Barbara, Calf, 20 years ago. In early
life he was apprenticed to wood en-
graver, but came under the influence of
James Hamilton of Philadelphia, and in
1856 exhibited his first oil painting In
1861 he went to London where he studied
under Turner, and Travelled in France,
Germany and Italy studying the can
vases of the old masters. He accom-
panied the expedition under Prof
Hayden to the Yellowstone country in
1871 and on his return painted 1.-The
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone" Two
years later he accompanied Maj. J. w.
Powell to THE Chasm of the Colorado
in Arizona" and painted that picture.
land at the moment Whether this will