New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-03
GEN. DI CESNOLA WON.
AN EFFORT TO REMOVE HIM PROVED A
FAILURE.
OPPOSITION TO HIM AMONG THE TRUsTEES Vi
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART-soMf'
OF THE NEWER MEMBERS. HE SAYS
IRE ANTAGoNIsTIC TO HIS DIREC-
TORATE-BE TELLS ABOUT THE

TORATE-BE TELLS ABOUT THE
WHOLE CONTROVERSY.
At the last quarterly meeting Of the Board OF
Trustees OF the Metropolitan Museum OF Art a con-
certed and determined effort was made TO remo'e
General Louis p. di Cesnoa from his official POSI-
ton Of director OF the Museum. Strenuous enor's
have been made to keep the facts In the case Sc"
cret but he story has leaked out and was wideiy
commented on in art circles yesterday That there
has been considerable friction In the board TOT
some time past has been manifested on various
casons but the first real clash came at the last
regular quarterly meeting. The attempt to re-
move General di Cesnoa did not succeed NOW IL
is limited that the resignation Of several members
OF the board will be handed in.
The first step looking to the proposed removal
OF General di Cesnoa took place early in February
II was at a special meeting OF the Committee on
Costs There were four members OF the Board or
Trus,ees present and after due discussion they
decided that for the best interest OF the Museum
General di Cesnola should be removed letter
to this effect drawn and forwarded to
Henry G. Marquand. president OF the Board OF
Trustees. The names OF these four are not gwen
but President Marquand admits receiving such
letter Considerable comment was made by other
members OF the board concerning the action OF
those four trustees They frank in their
declaration OF hostility TO Mr.. Of Cesnola and
made no secret when in conversation with the
other trustees that at the quarterly meeting they
would attempt to majority vote on a
resolution to remove him
The argument used by those who sought the re-
moval of General di Cesnola that his attitude
toward otter museums. home and abroad. the art
community and general public. as well as certain
trustees OF the Museum. made him an undesirable
director They said that this conclusion was forced
on them BY long observation and reflection. These
facts being known. larger number OF trustees were
present at the last meeting than usually attend
n
General di Cesnola was seen his home No. 1903
East -seventh-st., last night and spoke very
freely about the meeting. RE said: IAN inkling OF
differences in the Board of Trustees has leaked
ont and had better tell what is the truth about
the matter The whole trouble originates In a desire
on the part OF recently appointed trustees TO con-
tro the Museum. There now twenty-five mem
hers Of the Board OF Trustees. They are Henry G..
Marquand president: f. W. Rhinelander and ID.
Huntingdon. vicc-prosidents Hiram HitchcocK'
treasurer: L. T. di Cesnola. secretary; William H.
Andrews librarian: Richard VI. Hunt. ID. o. Mills,
J. Pierpont Morgan Robert W. DE Forest, Samuel
F. Avery John 5 Kennedy. Heber r. Bishop Ruth
erfurd Stuyvesant W. f. Dodge. Joseph II. Choate.
Salem H. Wales Charles II. Smith. William f. ware
William l. Andrews. James \. Garland. Edward d.
Adams Cornelius Vanderbilt. John Bigelow and D.
. \. Ward
"N thS meeting In question there were twenty
present; Among the abseniees were F. W. Rhine-
lander Ruth.rfurd Stuyvesant and W. f. Dodge,
who IRE IN Europe. and J. Perpont Morgan. Inc
unusual attendance rather Disconnected those VINO
had taken Nd the cudgel against me. "a they dld
no, expect more than dozen 20 be present. New
erheloss they hai taken their stand ana they were
compelled, - adhere Il and 80 the question: vas
discussed. Mr. Vanderbilt made speech IN Mt NIL
ne expressed the hope that the management whlcn
hal brought the Museum mp 10 its present stahIalI
81 excellence would be retained. lie characterized
tho e~or 20 make a change In the management as
an attempt on the part OF several newcomers %
uslrD the MANAGEMENT OF the institution fresHen'
Narauarl read a letter from j. Perpoht M0redI'
In which he declared that he was e!nphatl'dIy OPP
posed = changing the management OF me IhStltu-
ii.n or max ng any radical changes In the manner
~ con Iuctlng IT, In his letter Mr.. Morgan sara that
no fel, n would be unwise and unwarrant"d 70
change the executive force OF the institution winch
,yns one ~ the gores OF New York CITY. !,
You Will understand" explained General ~
Cesnola that these remarks by Mr.. kanherDN
AMI MIR Morgan were not solely In my defence but
A general protest against revolution OF the mn
ag,unut % the institution. ana an assumption OF
authority by newly elected. The whole trouDie
lies there These who are antagonlstic 70 me
IRE The fresh blood They set up their opinions
against those OF the who founded me hStltu-
I'm and stood by In the dark hours. and 10 Wnom
heIorrs the credit OF making Il the grand lnsttu,
ION that /, il to-day When the vote was taken !
-, 10. DO room, Although a member OF the board
an not vote feeling confident could leave me
matter with my friends. There were seven voted
against me.