A memorial of Joseph Henry.

  • Taylor, William B. (William Bower) 1821-1895.
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A memorial of Joseph Henry. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    Mr. Yoorhees. “Mr. President, I am opposed to legislating a contract into any one man’s hands on a subject where competition ought to take place. I do not know how often it has been done heretofore, but in every instance where it has been done it is wrong. A work of this kind ought to be open to competition. Every artist ought to be allowed to compete for a work of this character. The Senator from Vermont very justly reminds me that Mr. Story is an eminent artist. I know that. There are other eminent artists in the country; and all of them think they are. Every one of them desires to put his skill on exhibition, and it is his right to do so. I think that the bill ought to be amended by making this work sub- ject to competition, rather than a direct contract with Mr. Story.” ]\Ir. Morrill. “ I hope my friend from Indiana will not move any amendment. Mr. Story is the son of the late Chief-Justice Story, and is one of the most eminent artists of this country or any other, and has never received an order from the Government. He is eminent in very many other respects than as a sculptor. I trust there will be no amendment offered. It is no more than justice to the very eminent men,—the living as well as the dead,—to both the philosopher to whom we propose to erect the monument, and the artist whom it is proposed to employ; and the sum offered is a very small one indeed.” Mr. VOORHEES. “ It is difficult for me to withstand an appeal or request preferred by the Senator from Vermont, but I am satis- fied that the bill ought to be amended so as to allow competition.” Mr. Morrill. “ I hope not.” The Presidenty>ro tempore. “Does the Senator from Indiana move an amendment ?” Mr. VooRHEES. “I have not done so.” The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to he engrossed for a third reading, read the third time, and passed. The title was amended so as to read: “A Bill for the erection of a bronze statue of Joseph Henry, late Secretary of the Smith- sonian Institution.” 33.