The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-15
AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE.
Eighth Annual Convention of the Amer
lean Institute Of Architects.
Interesting Statements of the Arcaitects-En-
coursging PrOspeets-Appreciatlon Of Art
in America-Ths Building Law IN
New York-Eow The Architects
Acted in Regard To It.

Ths American Institute OF Architects held the
nrst DAYS session OF their Eighth Annual Conven-
non Yesterday ID the ONCE OF the Institute No l2s
BROADWAY, corner Of Cedar street. There were
present about tbirty-ave delegates. The Conven-
ton was called 10 order by the Secretary. Mr.. A.
j. Bloor who nominated Mr.. John Macarthur, of
Philadelphia, Tor chairman Mr.. Macarthur was
unanimously appointed and proceeded at once 10
the order OF business by introducing Mr.. II. A.
Simms or Philadelphia, who then read the annual
address, Of which the following is synopsis
THE ANNUAL ADDRESS
We met last in this city IN annual convention IN
1868, the year after system OF annual conven-
tions was established At that meeting the men,
bership OF the Institute consisted OF forty nrne el-
lows and sixteen associates. AT the present time
there upon our lists seventy fellows and
eighty-eight associates. The tive years nave added
mucn TO our numerical strength, but be-
yond the mere increase IN membership
our institution has during the period
named increased vastly IN influence and
Importance. Five years ago 1t was little more
than q local society OF this city. Now think It's
claim Of national and even continental character
Ia very generally conceded. am sure We nave
every reason 10 be satisfied with these changes
and to be satisfied that they are but an earnest
for the future. This Institute has double duty
having very little relation TO each other; but
feel that it VIII be derehct OF its duty II It does
not do its utmost to perform both. The first duty
is 10 bring Us architects into closer communion,
and the second TO eulghten the people at large in
our own art and TO encourage and foster an appre-
citation OF the beautiful Ia our own as Well as It's
sister arts. fear in this latter we have not at
tempted much and have effected still less. Those
OF our own people who have been enabled TO go
abroad, II they are persons or intelligence
and culture, generally return with some ap-
probation or our noble art ana desire
for its extension and cultivation on this side OF
the Atlantic; but l am sure that our own society
has been derelict IN this part of its duty in not
having addressed the public more directly in be-
hall OF architecture. Before desire for good art
can be expected among an essentially unitarian
people some enlightenment mast take place, some
enthusiasm must be awakened. The hope for more
appreciation OF our art IN the future Is rather TO
be looked Tor from such means as have been
adopted at Cornell University and st oxford and
Cambridge, in England; but the full and proper
appreciation this Continent OF our art, or, in
deed, Of either OF the other fine arts, yet very
useful more than it does the beautiful; yet, even
though the great Anglo-saxon race. as a race.
as was done by several the races Of anu
Gent times and by the Latin races Of our
that architecture in all past ages has always
marked the progress OF civilization.
REPORT Or TIE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
The report Of the Board OF trustees, which was
read by the Secretary, set out by abiding TO
Governor Dlxs message relative TO the Building
law and the appointment Of one architect for all
the buildings N the State OF New York. In conse-
quence of the Governors views a petition was
drawn up to be sent TO the Legislature, but which
never was sent, objecting 10 the plan proposed by
the Governor, and 10 the proposed bill then before
the Legislature. The pettiol instanced the result
National Government
IN having one supervising architect. The cost OF
tand limited to ssooo.ooo but S. 600 mad al.
ready been expended. The original estimate for the
Post once IN Boston was 10000 and the build
petrated in connection with the new Court House
In this city would seem TO be sufficient evidence OF
the facility with which corrupt combinations might
be formed. The defective estimates referred 10
py the Governor were not prepared by the archi-
tects connected with most OF our state buildings.
The Governor appeared to ignore the professional
qualifications when could meet the requirements
OF the practice OF architecture.
THE IREAsURER's REPORT.
OWING to the absence OF the Treasurer In Europe
no formal report OF The state OF the treasury was
made. The Secretary made few remarks, giving
a few figures OF no large amount, but showing that
the treasury was IN sound condition
The following named gentlemen were appointed
as Auditing Committee.-H. A. Simms, OF Phila-
dephia; Mr.. Mclaughlin, OF Cincinnati and Mr..
Stone OF Providence.
PUBLICATIONS.
The Secretary read the annual report OF the
Committee On Publications, the chief feature or
which was the encouraging prospect there surely
was Tor the journal about to be published by the
Institute Tor the purpose OF educating The public
In the art OF architecture and kindred arts.
REPORTS FROM THE CHAPTERS.
The annual reports of the New York, Chicago
Cincinnati, Boston, Baltimore and Albany chapters
were then read.
The report OF the New York chapter stated that
Notwithstanding The difficulties in the locality
with the help OF the Building Department OF the
city and OF the Board OF fire Underwriters an I'm
portant step in the right direction been gained
At the close OF the last session OF the state Legis
lature an amendment TO the Guiding Law was
passed, subject 10 the Governors signature, which
was afterwards added providing for the formation
OF Board Of Examiners, consisting Of the chief OF
the Building Department, member OF the CON-
mittee on Examinations OF TINS chapter, one OF
the six Presidents OF the New York Board OF Fire
Underwriters and two members OF the Mechanics
Exchange, one a master mason and the other
master carpenter. The power intrusted 10 tnis
Board is the discretionary one 10 modify or vary
the different provisions OF the Building act TO
meet the requirements OF special cases, where
the same do not conflict with the public
late chief OF the Building Department
alone, and which win readily be appreciated by all
who have been brought in contact with the routine
OF the building trade, might, With uncomfortable
facility, be welded TO an enormous extent IN the
interests OF the individual and against that Of the
public. The committee on Education OF the Chap
ter have. during the year, conducted among It's
junior members series OF competitions II archi-
tectural design, when Afforded gratifying evidence
OF the ability and industry OF the competitors. lt
is proposed that medals OF two grades should be
struck, and the experience OF the examinations
has suggested the question whether an educational
quallficatlor-not necessarily an unduly high one
should be demanded OF candidates for junior mem
bership The library OF the chapter continues 10
have moderate but steady run OF young men ana
lads VINO are studying architecture or are In any
way engaged in the cognate arts. The chapter
has during the year. inaugurated the use OF a
question Dox by means OF which any member may
ask and receive the opinion OF other members on
any professional point. The total expenses OF the
chapter Tor the year were $500 ~.
The Chicago chapter reported that during the
year ten meetings had been held ana that Il now
MAD twenty-one MEMBERS. The Cincinnati chapter
reported good attendance at the fortnighty
meetings. The Boston chapter reported larger
list OF members than ever before, and a better at
tendance at the meetings. The previous year
there was found TO be a difficulty In getting
quorum at the meetings but che introduction OF a
simple supper at the close the meetings proved
successful IN bringing the members together. the
younger members oil the procession joined
heartily, the impression OF the dulness OF the
meetings having been removed. The chapter con-
graduated themselves on having brought about
the desired form or competition ia regard 70 the
PROPOSED new hniIdlnQs ~ the Lain and English