Awarding the prizes.
The models obtained, the next step was to select a suitable committee to award prizes, and its importance was fully realized.
It was finally decided that no amateur should be on it, and consequently the choice fell upon two of
America's most distinguished sculptors,
Messrs. St. Gaudens and
I. Q. A. Ward.
Mr. Clarke, the government architect, was associated with them.
These gentlemen were asked and kindly agreed to perform the delicate task.
It was soon apparent that the high prizes offered had done their work, and the judges confirmed this opinion by saying that it was, perhaps, the best competitive exhibition ever held in
America.
The first prize was awarded to
Mr. Niehaus, of
Ohio, and the second to
Mr. Ezekiel.
The Ladies' Association had not bound itself to give the work to the most successful competitor, and the exhibition having put them en rapport with artists of superior talent, they still had ‘the world before them where to choose,’ with this advantage added.