New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-19
TO OPEN THE MUSEUM.
THE PUBLIC WILL NOW BE ADMITTED on
SUNDAYS.
NO PROVISION AS YET FOR THE PAYMENT OF
WILL, Try THE EXPERIMENT.

WILL TRY THE EXPERIMENT.
The quarterly meeting OF the trustees Of the Metro
politan Museum of Art, which held at the home
of Robert Hoe No IL East Thirty sixth-st. yesterday
afternoon will be considered by many citizens one OF
the most important ever held by that body. 1t re-
suited in decision to open the Museum on sundays
Daniel Huntington, one of the presidents OF the
Institution, In the absence Of Henry &. Marquand'
presided at the meeting which attended by General
Louis P. di Cesnoa, Charles s. Smith, Richard Butler
Richard VI. Hunt, william L. Andrews. Theodore
Weston, S. P. Avery. Rutherford stuyveSant, John
Bigelow, Robert w. De Forest, Joseph II. Cboate'
salem H. Wales William F. Dodge william r. Ware,
Hiram Hitchcock and Robert Hoe. The resolution
introduced at the last meeting In reference to the al
visibility Of opening the Museum Sunday was called
up for consideration and caused a spirited debate
several petitions presented to the trustees on
both sides of the question.
Henry F. Rowland, 5Chares c. Beaman, the Rev. DR..
W. S. Ralnsford and William S. Bull appeared as a
committee representing 10000 citizens who desired
the opening Of the Museum. A large book contain
ing the 10000 names laid before the trustees.
The list included Henry V. Havemeyer. William F.
Havemeyer Henry Willard. Orlando B. Potter Henry
B. Hyde. Eugene Kelly. Howard >. Jafray, George w
Vanderbilt william K Vanderbilt Chauncey N. De
pew Theodore Roosevelt, f. D. Morgan, John N. A.
, yrswold Amos r. Emo, Cornelius Van Colt, Oswald
OttendOrfer c. c. Baldwin, Benjamin II. Field, Peter
Cooper Hewitt Spencer Trask, Lawrence Turnure'
Arthur Leary George william Curtis, Colonel Thomas
W. Knox, General George W. Cullum, General Ferdi-
nand P. Earle, Philip Schuyler, j. Coleman Drayton'
c. L. Tiffany, Mrs. John Jay, Mrs. William H. schef-
felin, Miss Katharine Drexel, the Rev. DR.. r. Heber
Newton, the Rev. Dr.. David H. Greer and the Kew
Dr.. Lyman Abbott.
communication was also received from the Work
Ing Peoples Petition Committee, speaking in behalf
Of $4,000 workingmen supporting the proposition Of
the other committee
proposition to pay ~ 900 toward defraying the
expenses incurred by the change in the regulations
Of the Museum presented by number OF well
known citizens including Brayton Ives, Abram s.
Hewitt, Andrew Carnegie. W. C. Whitney, Jesse
Sellgman Frederic r. COudert and C. p. Huntington.
Only one petition received by the trustees yes
terday, opposing the movement which has become so
general In the city during the last few months 1t
was however a strong one and signed by many Of
the most prominent ministers of the city and other
citizens.
Mr. Huntington opened the discussion by saying
that his position upon the question OF opening the
Museum was well known. He opposed II because he
was a sabbatarlan. Joseph H. Choate led the debate
avorng the proposed change and introduced the fol-
lowing resolution:
Resolved. That until further order Of the Board
the Museum be opened free 10 the public every sunday
from D. m until half an hour before sunset
The resolution was carried finally by a vote OF
IL to 4.
"You will notice." said Of the trustees. in speak
ing Of the action OF the board after the meeting tina
there no reference in the resolution to the manner
defraying the increased expenses. We did not accep
the proposition made by number OF cuzens 70 pay
! tho money necessary, because thought 1t hardly
consistent with our dignity to do 80 at present We
simply decided yield to the pressure brought upon
| MS and to Try the experiment. The question Of ex
pense must be decided in the future. The expenses
| Of running the Museum when kept open on sundays
will be about $50 year than at the present
| time The city allows $4,000 year for IL
support on condition that IL is open four days In the
week for the benefit Of the public. The trustees now
| pay about $4,000 a year out Of their own pockets
| it is al expensive pleasure