GOOD ADMINISTRATION
By Elihu Vedder
From a mural decoration in the Library of Congress.
Good Administration, with benign countenance, sits upon her throne, a perfect arch above her head. As the strength of an arch depends upon all its parts equally, so the maintenance of a strong and efficient administration depends upon the co-operation of all elements among the people. In her right hand Good Administration holds evenly the scales of justice; her left hand rests upon a quartered shield to indicate the fair balance of all parties and classes. On her lap is the book of the law. At her feet, on either side, is an urn. Into one of these urns a maiden is winnowing wheat drawn from the waving fields in the background. The people also, in choosing their public officials, should winnow well. Into the other urn an eager youth, with books of knowledge under his left arm, is casting his ballot.
Mr. Vedder has also executed for the Library of Congress a companion figure portraying Corrupt Administration. She holds the scales, unevenly balanced, in her left hand. A seeker of special favors is placing a bag of gold in the scales; he has seized the book of the law and upset the ballot urn.
GOOD ADMINISTRATION. By Elihu Vedder
From a Copley Print, copyright by Curtis & Cameron, Boston. Reproduced by permission.