New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-10
ALBANY GOSSIP.
THE HUNT FRESCOES PERIsHING-PER-
SONAL NOTES-NIAGARA.

THE HUNT FRESCOES PERISHING-PER-
| SON4L NOrES-NIAGARA.
| tFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUSEl
| ALBANY, May 9.-Artists and lovers OF art
will be panied to learn that the late william NJ Hunts
magnificent mural paintings in the Assembly Chamber
are with destruction Leakage from the roof
OF the Capitol in the walls has caused white
cement forth upon the paintings Already por-
ton Of one OF the horses heads in Progress" the po
ture the north wall OF the Assembly, has become
almost OF vivid oil paints and white cement
The horses head is rapidly becoming obterated and tho
Jet black negro who. holding a torch in one hand
and graspng the rens with the other is leading the way
downward through space is threatened with the sams
fate for the has almost put his torch In
the picture OF The Discoverer" the opposite wall,
token also OF approaching ruin the cement hay-
ing appeared the edges OF the painting the roof
These large paintings nearly the last works OF the
distinguished artist He had designed them many years
before, but had chance TO paint them on tho
large surface they demanded till he received
commission from the Capitol Commissioners 10
paint some such pictures on the walls OF tue
Assembly Chamber. scaffodings built for him
high up on the walls aud there he abored on the paint
ings literally night and day; haste being necessary
owing to early occupation Of the grand hall by the
Assembymen. The paintings cost the State S25,OOo
They first exhibited TO the public upon the open
ing Of the new Capitol in January. 1879; and were
praised highly by art critics at that time
A short time after the Assembly Chamber was thus
opened Mr. Hunt visited Albany, and naturally went
into the Assembly Chamber. mob Of Assem-
blymen was shouting before the Speakers desk ~
the moment and all eyes upon them. No one no
ced the gentleman who mOdesty stood IN the back pars
Of the room aud almost mdy raised his eyes TO look ~
the great paintings the walls. Mr. Hunt renamed
only few moments the uproar OF the popular assem-
blase was perhaps not to his liking He passed out OK
the room and never saw his pictures AGAIN lie "ea
suddenly a few months aiterward
ct think we ought to nominate q New-iork man Tor
Governor" said James Arkel yesterday speak
ing about the probable action OF the no
publican State Convention this fall Il say
New-York man." he continued after
momentary pause, "and know OF no man who would
meet the requirements better than Joseph w. Drexe.
who lives on Madisonave., in NewYork He is not DO
sirous OF oce il would be hard work to persuade hh
to become candidate. Several years ago he retired
from the banking firm OF Drexel Morgan CO.. with
large fortune. This he is expanding in aiding various
charities; holding that man had better Distribute ma
money in his lifetime among charities. II he has
any aims OF this kind. rather than leave tns
task TO those who are fdl the directions OF his Will
He is highly intelligent speaking Spanish french Ger
man and Italian easily as speak EngnSh. nc mas
never scratched Republican Ticket although ne mas
sometimes abstaned from voting. All MS hie lie nas
stndied Republican principles aud Is young enough to
have he vgor 10 carry out he should be elected
Governor"
One meets many friends or Ink TRIBUNE ana its
,oppder I'm Albany "THE TRIBUNE is the Republican
Rlbls IN Otsego County" said Assemblyman Arnold
Yesterday We have taken the paper since Horace
Greeley started It," he continued, and loved THAI
great man. remember the delight OF a Republican
friend OF mine who entered The TRIBUNE office In New
York in 1860 and while looking about the office saw
a country looking enter wearing blk yellow
SLOUGH hat who sang out in the loud nasal voice OF ian
kee farmer: Say. boss, Is THE TRIBUNE eout YETI
All the countingroom clerks jumped, but began lauga-
ing heartily when they Mr. Greeley's wellknown
face beneath the big hat 1 saw Mr. Greeley mysen
once at the Broome County Fair at Bnghamt0n. 10
made speech tho farmers. was at the gate as 10
passed out Two Irish servant girls there Also
who were much surprised at the throng about Mt.
Greeley. And who's he said ono OF them. Tvs
Mr. Greeley responded tho other And what's no
DONE" continued the questioner. He made the war
was the reply"
The Niagara Park Commissioners hope to be able 70
take possession OF the lands about the Falls that inc
State has acquired within fortnight Already We
tors at the Falls declining 10 pay the fee OK
acted for entering the lands that soon to DO In
cluded In the State Park