Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-17
AN ART CONGRESS.
The First Session Held In the Celumbiau
Cnivsrsity This Morning.

AAse Ghe& c<SssOn kBefo In the CoIum bl10
Cnivsrsity This Morning.
DEIxaArEs WELCOMED NJ PRor. wEIIIxo-
BHIEF ADDRESSES MADE Br Mr. =. ". HALroRp.
SENATOR woLcorr AND fRoE. CHANDLER
LsIrxss rnoH DISTINGUISHED PRISONS READ.
The nrst congress Of the National Art Asso-
citation in favor Of free art began its session this
morning at 1880 O'Clock in the lecture hall Of
the Columbian University, corner 18th
and H streeta In the absence of
Mr.. Daniel Huntington, Prof. Chandler
presided. He introduced DIR. yelling,
VINO made short address to the congress. DR..
yelling began with the statement that nation
witnsus art is in state Of savagery and q ma
non with its art caught in the meshss Of imita-
uon confesses itself in . state of arrested civil
,satlon. DIR. yelling welcomed the delegates
because they came 10 quicken the hearts OF the
people to the appreciation Of art
INVITED TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
Mr.. E. W. Halford, the Presidents privs,e
secretary, was then introduced. Mr.. Hnlford
said that Warrington IL the home Of every citi-
zen OF this country, and therefore il would III
become him, temporary denizen. TO welcome
the artists TO their own home but be could
welcome them TO the Executive Mansion
He said that from the inception OF the move
ment nov being asitated BY this congress Mrs.
Harrison had been warmly and deeply inter
ested in it. In the absence Of the President and
Mrs. Harrison Mr.. Halford extended cordial
invitation to the delegates 10 visit the Execu-
tive Mansion.
Senator wolcott of Colombo said tina. as
MEMBER OF the Congress which had placed
duty upon art he must now confess his realiza-
uon OF the depth of infamy 20 which he in
common with other Senators had fallen. He
would endeavor to atone for it by devoting
himself IN the future TO working for free art.
he hoped that when the artists succeed in re-
moving the restrictions on art they may
also remove some Of the art around Wash
| ington. He said no one asks for
protection to art. The tariff theory does not
anect works of art In the interest of protecting
nome industries, but tariff on art restricts and
under proper conditions the genius Of Ameri-
can artists viii increase as rapidly the ability
OF the people to appreciate it develops
THE OBJECT OF TEE coSeREss.
Prof. Chandler then stated the object of the
congress, which Is to secure the removal of
customs duties on works Of art brought to
America from foreign countries. Art is the
highest form OF education, and il is unwise for
| a nation TO tax its own nourishment. The
genius Of the people of this country needs no
protection. Competition should be sharp, severe
| stage whereen the human race win exhibit its
highest Development. The hope Of the race is
conferred today under the American flag III the
people Of This country cannot attain the highest
development il IL useless for any other nation
to try.
Ln7TERs FRom DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE.
Miss Kate Field, secretary Of the congress,
read letters from Gov. Mckinley, Daniel Hunt
ington, E. O. Steadman, Vim. N. Chase, Geo.
H. Boughton. Geo. William Curtis, Charles
Dudley Warner, Edward Moran, Cardinal Glib
| bons and Whitelav Reid favoring free art
letter was also read from Secretary Elkins
| suggesting that the United States Congress
authorize the appointment of o committee
consisting of artists, who shall select all designs
| Of monuments 70 be erected by or for the gov
eminent.
resolution was agreed to requesting Con-
gress to place art On the free hist Also reso-
luton indorsing Secretary Elkins' suggestion.
Resolutions were adopted thanking Profs.
yelling and Langley FOR courtesies and a
special resolution Of appreciation of Miss Kate
Fields efforts in behalf Of free art Addresses
| In favor Of free art we're then made by Chas.
Stuart smith, J. Carroll Beckwith, Prof Harris,
VIM. A. Cofin and others.
SOME DELEGATES PRESENT.
Among the delegates present were T. d. Nil
| let vice president Of the National Academy of
Design; Vim. N. Chase, president Of the Society
| Of American Artists; John Lafarge, vice presi-
| dent Of the Society Of American Artists; Albert
| Bierstadt, chairman Of tire New York committee
| of the N. A. A.. Richard II. Hunt, Augustus st.
| Gaudens, Stanford White, C. r. McKim, Ken
yon Cox, VIM. A. Coffin, J. Carroll Beckwith,
| Louis c. Tiffany, W. sullivan Allen, Charles
Caryll Coleman, R. Swain Clifford. Eastman
johnson, ID. Maitland Armstrong. Frank Fow-
Ter, Will H. Low, E. Z. Simmons, II. w. Wat
rous, II. Bolton Jones and r. W. Van Boskerck.
RECEPTION AT THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
The arrangements for the reception this even.
| ing at the Executive Mansion promise brilliant
success. As a leading spirit in this movement
| for art Miss Field has bad the task of securing
| the attendance Of the diplomatic representa-
tives whom the artists should meet. The in
fuence and ability of Mrs. Levi P. Morton has
been allied in another direction, with view TO
| the participation in this event Of desirable 30
eiety, while an attache Of the French legation
has worked with equal zeal, in order that the
dramatic profession may be properly repre-
sented. Should the recovery Of Mrs. Harrison
seen. not SO entire this evening as to allow of
the fatigue Of the reception, following her vir-
ginia trip with the President, the duty will be
fulfilled by Mrs. Morton Of receiving in her
place.