The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-18
American Institute.

We have given the names Of the trustees and otlc
officers Of the American Institute, elected for the ensuing
year on Thursday evening last. Robert L. Pel Esq,
the President eject has been Of the and an
active member Of the Institute for several years past
lie s well Of the most successful agricu
tu1sts in the Unitest States and his extensive farm in
Ulster county is considered model farm by those best
acquainted with agricultural pursuits The Institute
having within few years, been distinguished for
Is efforts in the cause of agriculture than in the pro-
motion Of other branches Of industry although all
eeye some share attention, it peculiarly appro
pirate that 40 dstipg uished agrcuturist Mr. Pe
who IL also eil known promoter Of science and the
ars should be placed the head of the Board Of Trus
tees The predecessors Of Mr. Pe in the Presidency Of
The Institute have been as follows
Hon. William Few.
John Mason Esq.
Hon. James Tallmadge.
Eon. Mahlon Dickerson.
Hon. James Tallmadge elected the resignation of
Mr. Dckerson, who served two years the retirement
Of Mr. Tallmadge The latter, after his reelection
tinued 10 Office until his DEATH in September last.
The American Institute was organized in January
1898 by few gentlemen, who warm and jealous
advocates Of protective tariff and generally favor of
Henry Clay as the OF General Jackson as Pres
dent OF the United States.
r B. Waterman, Peter H. sehenck, Joseph Blunt
Haym NJ Saoman, Ralph Lockwood, GARRISON Crolus,
Matthew L. Davis and others Of similar politics,
among the original projectors For long time It
the design Of Of the most active members to
fine the membership to the friends Of Clay-then called
national republicans and afterwards forming part the
present whig party The views of the more liberal por
tion ci the members finally prevailed and individuals
admitted into the society without distinction Of
party politics. The Institute thence gradually lost its
political character. But late 1874 report
adopted prepared by Gen. Talmadge, chairman of
committee which strongly advocated protective duties
and extensively published by the wing party through
out the Union, eeconeering document. Previous
TO that time the Institute had frequently memoriaxed
Congress- and published reports in favor Of the doctrines
Of protection At present of the leading members
Of the society free trade men, and tariff discussions
are heard no more at the regular meetings.
The FUNDS of the Institute which have gradually
snuated, until they enabled to hold their build
ing in Broadway, valued by some at hundred
thousand dollars good library and other property
have principally arisen, it is known from the proceeds
of the annual fairs during period of twenty i've years.
But that source Of income it seems, can no longer
he relied for last year, in consequence of the at
fractions Of the Crystal Palace exhibition the loss by the
fair, sustained by the Institute, about thou
sand d0lars-whe the profits of the fair the previous
year. had exceeded that The rents received from
part Of the Institute building and the admission fees and
annual dues from members WILL however, sustain the
society permanent institution, il other plan
of revenue which their charter, granted by the New
York Legislature, in 1929, for unlimited period, may
be found to authorize and Justify. In the purchase Of
their building in Broadway the Institute have been Pc
cuary fortunate inasmuch the value Of the property
has advanced over hundred per cent. We under
stand that the number of members is about thou.
sand OF whom three hundred and fifty life members