New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-08
NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS.
THE DUTY ON WORKS OF ART.
PETITION PROM AMERICAN ARTISTS TO HAVE II
REPEALED.

REPEALED.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNKl
WASHINGTON Jan. THE petition of number
of American artists abroad for the repeal OF the
present duties works of art was presented IN Vhe
Senate TODAY by Mr.. Sherman, at the request
of Mr. Edmunds, TO whom the petition had oeen
sent After some discussion whetherit ought TO be
ferred to the Committee Financeor to that Oh the
Library twas referred to thelatter,wth theunder-
standing tha II should be submitted at some future
date TO the Finance Committee. The petition when
is dated at Rome December !, 1888, is signed oy
thirtv.fonr artists among them w. w. Story, Ran
doIph Rogers Elihu Vedder w. A. Stade, Dwight Ben
ton Albert Balm Julian Story, Waldo story ana
others IL was drawn by w. W. Story, ana pro-
nounces the imposition of duty on works OIL ART u
be unjust, illiberal and impoltic" -" nat our
country requires" It says, "lS not protection WHICH
is nrobibtiou but rather the establishment Oh a
national department for art IN great hatoh"i
museum. While all other nations nave
founded national museums and Schools oi
art. on which large amounts OF money
are expended 10y the Government under proper anu
intelligent direction: while hey give instruction
gratuitously and confer prizes for distinction Oh
orr artists as well as their own; while they grant
pensions for travel and study and create academies
in countries foreign to their own, we through Con-
press and as nation have done nothing to foster
art. have established 10 department or even com
nittee of direction for the intelligent develop
meut of its interest But now, under
pretence of protection, we lay almost
a prohibtory duty upon the entry of foreign WORKS
of art into our country" 400
The petition also points out that II the duty OF oo
per cent be retained, every country WIZ IN tS ue-
fence and for the protection of its own artists ne
driven TO levy tax on the expectation OF works OF
art bv American artists executed abroad andlnsteau
of receiving protection advantage, American art
lists, on the contrary Will be subjected to an injury
I'm an accOmpanying letter to Senator Edmunds. w.
w Story saws that the Italian Parliament post
poned action on the question IN order 10 await the
decision Of Congress in the matter. lie Iears nat
France and Germany will proceed to take retahac
tori measures and put tax on the expectation OF
pictures statuary by American artists II the duty
is not removed Artists he says, 40 not desire tl
duty; on he contrary, they unanimously opposed
TO H. If il is for revenue the country need
IT, If IS for the advantage of the publlc ~ ~ an
utterly mistaken policy. There is nobody that can
be beneited by feying such duty. Besides this
we are a great people and rich country, ana
nobiese oJlIe should be the principle on when we
should act If any artists desire to see foreign art
handicapped in the race, they are unworthy 10 ue-
serve the name of artists. am in favor oil Tree
field and no favor ,:
toward the repeal of the duty on foreign works OF
art might pass the Senate, 1t seems reSaohaply
opposed opnosed to it. There seems to be
no disposition on the part of the average legislator
To give much attention TO such subject, especlaly
ant enough to warrant intelligent study on MS