The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-07
The Art Union Investigation.

The Art Union Investigation.
Before Hoo. D. B. Taylor, NJ. R. Champlin, and A. NJ.
Clapp.
Pursuant to adjournment the Committee met yester.
day afternoon at O'Clock A. NJ at the Astor House, D.
B. Taylor, Esq, in the chair The proceedings were
commenced by reading Monks examination,
which he signed.
THE EXAMINATION CHIEF RESUMED.
WITNESS, in explAnaton-I asked By the counsel
the respondents whether had presented claim for
extra services the institution and what the amount of
the bill i the Ss snat
manner, II my bill Was not paid that was not So butt on
the contrary took every means in power to obviate
the treasurer addressed communication to the Art
Union in friendly spirit hoping and expecting to ar.
Communication have in my hand, and 1t Is in the
Mr.. FUum1oN-This involves further long, tedious
examination. He merely desired to make one ex
PLANTATION, but this is evidence.
PRKDKNT-State briefly the contents Of that document
WnNEs-I proposed an arbitramsnt of this matter to
three gentlemen for the purpose of saving excitement
and unenvabe notoriety; Mr.. Austin told me that he
conferred with Mr. Cozzsns upon my proposition and he,
ton to the committee
Mr. FuIIxa1oN-That letter. as understand it, is not
IN evidence.
wrNn-I with to look at the bill Of particulars put
In evdenee anded to hm the first item in that Is for
Of that chsree, wish to state that performed those
services and that they worth the money the next
necessary and beneficial to the institution and worth the
amoant charged in my judgments the third item Is 1889
% e ,ns c1s.a
ance and requested by the Sheriff to preserve
der; performed the services allotted to me far
ext item is for 81 900 for extra houe rent in the year
1848, think, resident Of the Seventeenth ward,
nu.s during that year the Superintendent, my supe
ror in Office taken sick had to perform his and
my own duties, and oftentmes had to remain at the
Gen. Wetmore, who then President, desired to
procure house in the immediate vicinity Of the Art
Union with the that any extra rent which
should have to pay should be made good to by the
institution. accordingly removed to the immediate
q t th ana the rent the mouse xnsn
CLERGY in the cash account Of Islo Of $3.50 IS, which
legally compelled to do In the next year there was
another deficiency of sl4O which also made good The
seeetary during his Illness and absence
from the institution, amounting to 1888 This is the
rotary charged for services which performed, and
which be did not perform.
Q. (By the Charman) did the idea suggest itself to
your in making out this bill against the in
stuon. that, in consequence of the decision Of the
Court of Appeals the Art Union must cease and its
treasury contained large amount Of money, you might
as well seek to obtain portion Of nots A. 1t
occurred in the world; the bill made out be-
cause knew it to be correct and was satisfied that L
the suton had been would have been paid
without any legal controversy have doubt of this in
my mind have been asked whether was unfrendly with
in to the conduct OF Mr. Austin that Mr. Cozzens
Mr. Austin and other members Of the Committee OF
trsry TO the constitution charter and by Ella VS. Of the IN
stuon. This additional reason why suspected
the integrity Of M Austin and others connected with him
those works Of art purchased from Williams Ste
phenr residing believe 553 Broadway and after
sent to Boston to be disposed of and that the nstuon
met with loss BY the operatiop also know that Mr..
Austin had sold his purchases Of works Of art-his
own proIerty-to the mt Union at price far above
Cen we,more gave his check for 81 200 which Mr. Aus
lin sid Col Warner had Improperly charged wish to
plain further in swer to question whether had made
statement that Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Benedict present
at tie same time stated that never said In regard
to letter which has been introduced ia evidence
TO state that the institution indebted to for ad
made By and that being shortly after quarter
ss when the snd0a .9s G .he. rent gave
money. and General Wetmore called on Mr.. Austin,
and advised him to pay ne the money had ad-
for the institution and also informed that Mr.
Austin felt hurt that had sapdered the Institution.
Gen. Weimore said mistaken In Georges character
be called him and that he would 60 around and
him, and be satisfied me, and under that influence
wrote this letter but from subsequent Investigations
and examination Of memoranda, ! fund out that Mr.
suspicious against Mr., Austin, and Mr. Austin would
not give me the money unless signed the letter.
In speaking OF the election of the members of the Com
nies OF Management who had resigned it DESTROYS
to get the Of Of eminence in the munity
without to their qualifications Judges of works
Of art but the trolling their position in
society.
recess of few minutes here took place.
Re examined by Mr. Shannon. Q-You stated on your
direct examination that you knew member of the Com
mittee IL Management substitute picture the cata
ogue of distribution for drawn by member of the
Art Union, "CaDapdaiguA." Who was that's
Witness-I object to answer.
Q-who was the member who replaced this picture for
Of his own
witness-Must I answer thstf have delicacy about
answering II, but will If you like Must answer thatp
he krows nothing Of such transaction, it is all well
enough but If IL Is out Of pretended dsloacy his part
that would seem TO be the face put ppon the mat
ter-then insist upon an answer.
Of msnys that refuse.
Cbairmsn-The witness need not answer unless he
Mr. FuRsrton-Thsn / ask If It is dealing Justly with
question putt We court the investigation and shall
press the inquiry II the other side do not This
spurious modesty 10 intended TO for than it
worth
Wrness-Iwill answer: II was Col Andrew Warner
Q-While you clerk in tire Art Union had you not
charge Of the receipts Of the institution from the mem
bersS
A-Ibad
Q-During what yeers'
From about 1t August, 1s49, to- think the close
Of 1850 or 1851
o-wLat we're the amounts of the receipts from men,
bers Of that institution during the year I849.
Am the year 1889 the receipts were 81 200 IS in ths
year 1870 927 AZ in the year 1884, IS 2O5 81 in the
year 1912 the receipts we're IS S3 70 in the year s43
ST129 in the year 1849 SO $50 90 in the year Is45
sic in the year 1916, s2z 2o3. The receipts in 1851
about $50 coo there was no drawing in that year.
for the pictures we're sold
Q-Wbat became Of those receiptsS
Al received portion Of them in liquidation Of my
claim sgsnst the institution all the funds received
necessary TO place in the hands Of the Treasurer
coidDg 10 the emphatic language OF the constitution
charter ard by laws Of the American Art Union that
il, a. far know, but have doubt OF the fact
In what the paintings for distribution
purchased By the Committee Of Management, and Of
whom?
A-Tbeie dsslof partially shown in latter years.
N regard to those purchases against which stenuousy
protested.
ostats during what years and In what that partially
conslstedf
Ain later years of the prosperity OF the isstitu
tea Mr. Austa, the Treasurer would occasionally brA