Thursday, May 16, 1889 After breakfast Louis drove us all down the [?] and across the Livingston Creek and around by Germantown. It was very hazy and pretty warm and although it was a very pleasant drive I fancy both Mr & Mrs. Church were very tired when we got back. How little such things affect me except to rest me. We came away by the 5.22 train after a very pleasant visit. His house and place are very artistic and beautiful but I fancy it must often be dull to these two invalids. They however have the comfort of plenty of money and can do every thing to entertain their friends. Mrs. Church rather criticises me because I liked Mrs. [Van Glinner?]. She is greatly prejudiced against her as Church is, but it is not pleasant to have to defend ones acquaintances. When I got home I found there was to be a meeting tonight of the Committee on the soldiers monument to select a design from several furnished by Granite and Monument manufacturers. I had had no notice, but Girard when it was nearly 8 o'clock told me Genl. Sharpe and spoke to him about me and wished me to be there. I hurried down to catch the 8 o'clock car which I just missed and walked all the way up. The meeting was a full one, in the Court room, and just being called to order. Three monument people one by one came in and explained their designs. It was voted to put the whole matter into the hands of the Committee with power and the meeting adjourned. Then our Committee got together and voted to put it in the hands of three of the Supervisors and two of the Citizens Committee, the Supervisors being Dr. Loughran, T. Tremper and [blank] and Genl. Sharpe and myself of the Citizen's Committee with full power to select a design and have it carried out. I as modestly as possible explained my disapproval of dealing with the Granite Companies and explained that instead we ought to consult artists. My idea was to give the commission to some sculptor of reputation and leave it to his taste, that a simple thing artistically done was far better than a great show of conventional [?] duplicated, and reduplicated common plans. I do not expect to prevail in my ideas, but I shall not hesitate to impress them with all the ability I have and at the same time I hope not in a factious spirit. I did not get home until midnight and Ed. O Reilly and I walked down. We adjourned subject to a call by the president.
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