Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-20
The New York SUN and the C0rc01an
Gallery OF Art

10 the Editor OF The EVENING STAE:
In the Sun OF New York city, Of the date Of
December ~ 1894, there was published an editorial
criticism OF the Corcoran Gallery OF Art Of this city
After alluSiOn by name to Mr. W. T. Walters, OF
Baltimore, and the late G. W. Riggs, Of Washington
City, the article proceeds as follows:
both resigned in 1877; Mr. Walters because he
found t impossible to be OF any service to the inst
tuition, and could not 10y his presence on the board
OF trustees give even form OF tact approval to its
conduct; Mr.. Riggs resigned the TeaSurersh1p
because neither he nor any one else could ind out
from Mr. cOrc1ran what the amount or the end0w-
menJ was, the condition OF the finances, or the
Nature -! any OF the monetary transactions There
Was d marked discrepancy between its alleged or
pupsned income and the actual revenue, and the
latter 'sas not in excess OF the former; state OF
things which DIR. Rigs, as prudent and indie
pendent business man. could not end lre"
Inc trustees OF the COrcOran Gallery OF Art have
Instructed. the undersigned, constituted CON-
mijtec fDr that purpose. TO MAKE presentation OF
facts which can b. made 10 appear from an exam
matiOn Of the records Uf The institution
Iht5S records Will SHOW that the resignation OF
Mr.. ". I. Walters, which was q ltei January 3lSt,
ls'I, was considered aud accepted by The trustees
at meeting he'd June OH, 1884, ana the ,ca!cy
Caused by the acceptance CT his resignation filled
at that meeting. Ills name does not appear on the
art committee after January I4th, 1854
Mr. q. W. Rigs died August 24th, 1884, and was,
from the foundation OF the Institution, In 1869, until
January 7th, 1851, its treasurer. To him. on the
13th OF ADril, 1s12. MAS especially committed the
Investment o.: $4,000 of It's funds.
On his motion, on the 25th or February, 1873, the
SUN OF SiJc3J Was placed at the disposal Of the
committee OH art FOR purchase OF objects OF art.
on his motion Or IN his presence. at meetings
he'd FtLrulry - 4, 1S3 Aay 18th, 1916, November
2Tth, 1877, January 3D. 1879. M;rcti 81 1872 April
2lSt, 1919, June On, 1879 October 11ti 1885, April
1il', 1884, were important changes made iii Jhe in
YestmeHt fundOr the institution and matters Affect
Ing IL discussed.
Purchase having been made, in 1876 OF ground
for additional buildings to the north OF the present
rttuTe, 1t was, On motion OF dr. Riggs, May 17tH,
1876, ordered that purchases by the art committee
10 suspended that funds might accumulate for the
pur- hi, -e-nOncy OF this additional ground.
Special authority vas, from time 10 time after
wards Given the art cGnini,ten n,lrchssas heino
made n one time TO the extent OF 900 under such
authority. AT meetings held January l2th, 1874,
J2n'U'rV liz. 1S.5, January 18th, 1876, January
S;m, l6'., January ftth 1878. January 10Th, 1879,
january 12th 1879. ,i;Jdry 18th, 1851, all during
the lifetime and trsasrershp Of air Riggs, annual
statements We're made In detail OF the receipts and
expenditures q The ms tuition, which statements
showed the sources OF revenue, and were made up
FROM accounts kept i'll the bank OF Riggs Co,
the statements presented January 18th, 1874, and
January 18th. 1881, being examined by Mr.. Riggs
ana signed for him by another officer OF the Cal
lefy. The other statements, six in number, being
sigEtd and presented by him. At meetings held
February 18th, 1873, January 18th, 1874, January
sented for the treasurer, Mr. Riggs showing in de-
tai the exact Condition Ga the endowment and In
ytstment funds.
IL has also been made to appear to the under
signed that the securities constituting the endow-
ment ana investment funds Of the institution have
since Its founding been on deposit IN the vault OF
during al that time having free access thereto,
and no ding duplicate key to the strong box con-
tanning the same.
Nj Walters when appealed to with reference to
TIE statements IN the article above quoted as in
yolvlns hi, relations with the gallery suggests
that some ineNacIiJudt even has been always
preferable 10 me 10 newspaper publicity or
c5ntroversF;a ard MI = Francis Riggs, the
eldest son Of the late G. ". Riggs, writes: 'No
person who knew him (Mr. G. w. Riggs,
would believe for moment the absurd
statement that he was ignorant Of the finances
OF The Art Gallery, OF which he WAS the treas
urer His resignation OF tne Office was sImuly
made necessary through stress OF other duties: it
was impossible Tor MIN TO give due attention to
the affairs OF the Gallery"
The above letters are on file with the committee
CHARLES NJ. MATTHRws,)
WALTER S. Cox, Committee
s. +. BAIRD,
Washington City, d. C. Jan. 90, 1855