The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-04-18
TIE ART GALLERY AGAIN.
Mayor Steinman Explains His Posi-
ton Regarding 1t.
Which Explanation Certain Directors
of the Museum Association Say
Is Not Acceptable.

Just before the close of the meeting of
the Trustees yesterday Mayor Steinman
stated that he made some statements at
the last meeting, according to the news
papers, which he wished to explain. The
newspapers had stated that he refused to
pay the bills for help at the Art Gallery,
and said all the best pictures had been
taken out of it. He had said that he
would not pay the bills until he under
stood about them a little better. When
he said that part of the pictures had been
taken, he did not know that Mrs. Croker
had reserved the right to take certain
ones and replace them with others.
He had since been informed that such
was the case, and it put different face
on the matter. Mr.. Woodson addressed
the board last week continued the Mayor,
and explained some of these things to
him. AS he had said these things pub
llcly, he wished TO make this eXpiana-
ton as publicly. He wished to do justice
to the gentlemen who were in charge OF
the Art Gallery.
At the same time it had cost the city
Sl6,3T7 % in the past seven years. The
citizens had been taxed to pay this sum.
1t cost nearly as much as the Free Lii
thought the Art Gallery also should be
free to the citizens who were taxed for its
support, but, instead, an admission fee
was charged.
Mrs. Croker first gave the gallery to
the Museum Association, and after they
kept it awhile and became tired of il,
their President, Mr.. Lubin, turned it
over to the Art Association. If the Muse
UNI Association gave 1t up, he thought it
should come entirely under the control of
the city. The Museum Association had
no right to turn it over to the Art Asso-
citation, 1t was not in their power to give
1t to an association with another name.
Auditor Young then read Mrs. Crock
er's deed, at the request of the Mayor,
who stated that she had decided it to the
city, but he had seen no record of its ac-
ceptance by the city.
The Clerk then produced and read the
acceptance OF the gilt by the former Board
of Trustees for the city. Both deed and
acceptance had been read to the Mayor i'll
open board last Monday.
The Mayor thought that it was still an
expense. The custodian, w. f. Jackson,
is receiving $50 per month from the city,
OF which he pays $50 per month to the
Janitor, leaving him g per day for HIM
sell. Besides this, he has a private art
school, and receives pay from the pupils
He still thought that when the Museum
Association went out the property should
nave reverted 10 the city.
WHAT THE DIRECTORS SAY.
Several Directors of the Museum Asso-
citation desire 1t stated in this place that
Mayor Steinman is ''all wrong" The
gallery is free to all two days in the week.
If the Mayor wants it wholly free he has
but to move to that end in the Board of
Control, where he has half the vote. 1t
was one year free every day, and the
change was made for excellent reasons
Als.s 900 slS,E ,rl
city, and as the deed now, stands. The
Museum Association never owned the
gallery alone, though Mrs. Croker OF
Tered 1t to it, but no deed to it was made.
Neither MIR. Lubin nor anyone else ever
turned the gallery over to the "Art Asso-
clation." There is no such thing as an
Art Association in Sacramento. Mr.
Lubin has not been President for five
years past, but was Director uD to March
this year. The Museum Association
never gave up its interest in the gallery
under the deed.
The association is to-day, as it always
has been, The California Museum Asso-
ciatlon," a corporation. 1t has never had
any other name. Mr.. Jackson receives
$50 for care and responsibility of SO valu-
able property; for keeping the door, for
janitoring and all inside help he pays the
bills. He and his assistant serve six and
a half days each week. He pays for his
Mayor says. He acts also as the Score
tary of the Board of Control, If the
Museum Association withdrew the city
could not possibly do what is done tor
the property for $50 and have competent
person in change.
Mr.. jackson has not a private school
and no private pupils. He is Chief In
structor of the School of Design, which
the Museum Association conducts and
for which 1t pays him. BY this ar
rangement the association is enabled to
care for the property so cheaply.
The Directors say that Mr.. Jackson
could make far more in his studio than
he receives, but remains because of his
interest in the association and the CITY.
The objects and purposes of the Museum
Association are to-day just what thew
were from the beginning, in ISS5-ditfu-
ion ofintelligence, cultivation of art tastes,
encouragement OF art, mechanics, litera-
ture, natural history and general educa .
ton and the collection of a museum
Museums are the growth of years. and
are not made out of hand. Yet, in eight
years, say the Directors, a very fair start
has been made.
The Directors add that the misunder-
standing by the Mayor amazes them, as
there is nothing that he or any one can
not ascertain In five minutes from the rec
ords. All he has to do is to call the Board
of Control together and be informed, he
being Chairman, but he has never been
at the Art Gallery to make any inquiry
or examination whatever
The Mayor, said the Directors, had
charged that the deed of Mrs. Crocker
provided that an Art School should be
maintained in the gallery, yet pupils had
to pay tuition to it; the fact is, there is
no such provision in the deed-it was
published in full in the RECoRD-UNIoN.
and any one who can read can ascertain.
If an Art School is to be maintained free.
who, ask the Directors, is to foot the bills,
since the city pays nothing to teachers or
for material or printing or advertising?
The Directors, in short, contradict
Mayor Steinman on every proposition,
and the foregoing is but brief statement
of their denals.
CHINAMAN VS.. WHITE MAN