New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-12
NOT PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS.
A MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF DESIGN SPEAKS
WITH BITTERNESS REGARDING THE
DECENT ELECTION

A MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF DESIGN SPEAKS
WITH BITTERNESS REGARDING THE
RECENT ELECTION.
The exciting annual election Of tho National
Academy OF Design Wednesday evening. which
resulted in the reelection OF Thomas W. Wood.
representing the conservative element a. presi.
dent. and the defeat OF Frederick Dielman. rep
resenting the progressive element, by majority
OF 6 votes, was the subject Of lively comment yes
terday among the many friends OF the institution
in the city. 10
The conservatives naturally elated by their
victory congratulated themselves on the result az
a fortunate one for the Academy's welfare; the
progressive element. while surprised by the nu-
mercal strength OF their opponents. feel that e.
pecialy the election Of the Jury OF Selection the
Academy has made a retrogressive movement.
An interesting statement from the inside In re-
gard to the meeting and the significance OF tts
action was made yesterday by q well-known Aca-
demcian He said: The result must be a severe
blow to those who thought the Academy had per-
manenty entered the list Of progressive insttu-
tions And that II has not done so appears not 80
much In the election Of officers as the ticket OF the
younger men gave fair recognition OF the conserva.
tive element The reelection OF Mr. Wood may be
largely accounted for by the unwillingness OF the
members vote down an administration that had
just successfully concluded an important transact
ton, considered advantageous to the institution.
namely, tho sale Of Its real estate, The extremely
conservative composition or the Jury OF SELECTION,
however. II Is to be feared will prove a serious
obstacle In the way OF holding good exhibitions IN
the coming year. as many strong men may feel
disnclined TO submit their work 10 q body made
ND largely Of men either incapable Of comprehend
ing, entirely hostile TO- much Of ths better mod
ern work, A glance a. the ist OF members OF the
Jury viii show that n forms a sad contrast 70
that Of tho year just closing witch selected prob
ably tho best and most representative exhibition
yet held by tho Academy
'"rhe nominations for academiclans and associated
too were such that tho united effort Of the younger
mon necessary 20 prevent the addition TO the
list Of members which would have seriously weak.
ened instead OF strengthened the Academy. The
Hanging Committee II a good one.
THE most prominent feature OF the annual meet.
ing was the bitter hatred that was manifested
toward the Society Of American Artists and q
vague but terrible danger declared to be threatened
by that society and by those OF It's members who
are also acadcmcians. was used with great effect
in the electioneering preceding the meeting and
decided the votes Of many members ordinarily In
clined to be liberal united effort was made to
suppress entipnly the younger element. and II was
largely successful. Coming at a critical time when
II Is important that the Academy should show II
representative institution. the result OF the annual
elections must be considered very unfortunate.
The idea at the bottom OF the vague danger hays
swallowed up by the Society OF American Artists.
It was In consequences OF a suggestion made that
OF the Academy with other Societies WHICH Wsa
made the subject Of lies and Misrepresentation II
Is to be feared that when many Of the academictans
speak OF their devotion to their beloved Academy
they are thinking mainly Of their beloved picture
SHOP"