The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-01

The committee OF management are prepared to
pay the prizes demand aud each przcholder Is
requested forthwith to notify the Committee
whether they will receive n ticket giving them
the free passage to London and back in fast class
American packet ship, or $50 in cash.
The committee make this announcement Mt the
earliest possible moment, believing that all inter-
ested feel strong desire to know the result. The
immediate issue OF this circular prevents the COM
mittee from entering into that detailed report which
they desire TO lay before the subscribers Time ha
not sufced TO enable them to ascertain in any re-
liable manner, the situation which they occupy, with
reference to the subscribers and their pecunary
interest but upon the most accurate calculation they
have been able to make, the consequence of their
carrying out their engagements with the subscribers
will entail upon them positive loss of some thou
sands Of dollars in addition to the time they have
expended, and the anxiety they have incurred in
the transaction. A few words will suffice to explain
the position of the committee. For some years
prior to the idea of the Worlds Fair Art Union, the
American Art Union had been permitted publicly
to carry out its object, and for months prior
to the formation Of this Art Union. The Home
stead Art Union," and 90 Gin Concerts were toler-
ated in this city. The Worlds Fair Art Union
commenced under the most favorable auspices,
every one was ready to acknowledge the excellence
OF the idea, and every way II promised prosper
Gus career; however, soon after this an anti-gam-
bling cry raised by the fanatics in this city,
and every cndeavor was made by abuse, threats,
and appeals TO the criminal law authorities to sup
press this Art Union.
purpose felt that they unustly used, and with
the feeling which injustice naturally engenders,
they resolved to resist With these views they con-
suited an eminent council Of this city, by whom they
advised to incorporate themselves under act
Of the Legislature Of this State, and that they
might then successfully oppose every attempt made
to crush their enterprise
This advice was relied upon and followed, and on
the 18th Of January, 1851 the Committee Of Manage
mcnt became Corporation, duly incorporated by
Law, under the name Of the " New York Art Union
Company"
II was now hoped that persecution would cease,
but not so /; sooner was the announcement made
that the Worlds Fair Art Union was under the
mansg ement Of the New York Art Union Com
pany," than one of the opposing parties went before
a Justice Of the peace and made affidavit that the
company was not incorporated, and that the com.
pany, by holding out that they were incorporated,
were defrauding the public, and obtaining money
under false pretences. Upon this affidavit the
Justice issued warrant for the apprehension Of
Secretary, and he was arrested.
The next step was TO give the widest publicity 60
this last fact, and that portion Of the newspaper
press which holds itself ever ready to make profit
by the propagation Of SANDER, heraded through the
| length and breadth Of the land that the Worlds
the arrest Of its secretary for obtaining money under
| false prctcnces.
The charge Of course fell to tho ground, but the
poison had done its work /; public confidence had
been destroyed, and no effort on the part Of the
Highest number in list Of prres (i.ss7) at Eve
dollars each $685.
% first class prizes, at $3.50 each ........ 375C
Is second do, say 800 each. $50,
ss,s,'
l Or. How much could they have LOST