The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-19
THEY WANT AN ART SCHOOL
But THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
STANDS By ITS BOARD.

auguratinE One.
The Georgia Historical Society at its
special meeting last night voted down the
resolution introduced by Col. William
Garrard with reference to the election OF
Mr.. Carl L. Brandt as director OF the Tel
fair Academy, thereby sustaining the
board OF managers in its action: but the
sentiment in favor of the establishment
Of an art school was practically unani-
nous. and the discussion has had the eff
feet Of so shaping the situation as to give
promise that such a school will be estab-
lished in the near future
Second Vice President William d. Har-
den presided in the absence Of the presi-
dent, Gen. Henry r. Jackson, and First
Vice President Col, John Screven, and
read article of the constitution showing
why in general such special meetings are
called. The secretary then read the res
olution introduced by Col. Garrard with
regard to the election Of Mr.. Brandt as
director of the academy to fill Il until a
successor is chosen. He also read the
resolution adopted by the board of man.
ayers at their meeting electing Mr..
Brandt director.
Col. Garrard's resolution, which was the
subject under discussion, was as follows:
-
OF revision OF the acts of the board of
managers. respecting the Telfair Acad-
envy. do hereby disaffirm the election of
director of the Telfair Academy. reported
to the society as had on the 2Sth of Feb
ruary last, and do set the same aside"
Other information was asked for and'
the situation was fully explained, both
with regard to Mr. Brandts present re-
a ~ ha Al,
without salary, and why that relation
was brought about, 1t being on account
Of the academy's indebtedness to Gen.
Jackson. The explanation was made in
full by Judge Hardin.
Col. George A.. Mercer. author of the
resolution passed by the board of man
ayers, said Mr. Brandt was elected until
his success sor Is chosen, so that the acad-
envy might not by delay or otherwise, be
Wlthout director at any time. He said
II was in accordance with the bylaws of
the society and the provisions with re-
gard to other officers and committeeman.
After this explanation Mr.. s. Il. Theus
moved as a substitute for Col Garrard's
resolution that the action of the board of
managers be affirmed and indorsed. The
motion was seconded, and Mr.. Charles
n. West then objected on the ground that
Col. Garrard's resolution was not vet be-
fore the meeting. The chair overruied Mr.
VESTS point of order, holding that Col
Garrard's resolution was before the So
clety, and entertained Mr.. Theus' motion
This brought Col. Garrard to his feet,
and he explained why he had introduced
the resolution, asserting positively that
no anront TO the board of managers was
intended. He spoke of the Indebtedness
OF the Academy to Gen. jackson, amount
ing to $4,000. after which came he said
an Indebtedness to Mr.. Brandt Of 1000
Tor painting a picture of Miss Telfair OF
TINS latter, he said, he heard for the first
time at the last meeting, and he under
stood that il was the first time 1t had ever
been reported TO the society.
Io %
financial condition of the society with a
view to seeing whether an art school a
place, for instruction in art, could be
founded, and the academy turned to good
use. lie then read the portion of Miss
Telfairs will referring to the academy
TO bring out the meaning of the will, and
the intention of the testatrix to make ii
a school and place for instruction, To
show that the trustees so interpreted the
Will, he said, they put in Mr.. Brandt to
buy pictures and to teach an art class.
In the first, he said, Mr.. Brandt was emf
nently successful, but as a teacher every
one had practically to admit that he was
He said he believed it the duty of the
society to open there an academy of
art instruction and to see that 1t was
to do. He spoke Of the recent forma-
ton of an art league in Savannah, to
which was brought competent instruct
or, and which has class of about
forty. Following upon the formation of
| this class, the board, he said, had put in
Mr.. Brandt as director No director he
said, was needed, no matter whether a
salary was paid him, at once AS a
| teacher, he said, Mr.. Brandt has shown
in the last eleven years that he was not
| a success, and I'VE are not in favor of
the employment of unsuccessful men,
| From the society'S income, he said an
art teacher should be employed and an
| art school maintained, which could be
| done after paying small portion on
| Gen. Jackson's debt every year, and after
| It was paid, he said, the debt to Mr..
| Brandt could be paid.
Behind the resolution to disaffirm the
action, of the board, he said, was the
art school. Its object, he said. is to in
augurate such a school as will make Sa-
! vannah the art center of the south, and
which will attract pupils from all over
the country and bring business to our
Or. l.. A. Falligant said he agreed with
| Col Garrard. He spoke of the art school
| OF New Orleans, which was started In
| yields an income of $4,000
Col. George A. Mercer said Col. Gar
| rard had not advanced a single arg1,-
ment in favor of his resolution The arr
| school, he said, in no way depended upon
Mr., Brandt's retention or dismissal as d.
| in the way of any art school that the So
| ciety might see fit to establish
IN speaking of the portrait of Miss
| Telfair he said, she left 100000 in be-
! quests, and that not one thing has been
| done to attest the appreciation of the neo-
pie who have been benefited. The board
| to have a portrait of Miss Telfair paint-
| ed and hung upon the walls of the arad-
| envy The managers asked Mr.. Brandt
what was his regular price for paintiag
| portraits of this kind, and he said e .
OOO. He was the only artist who coYld
! make portrait of Miss Telfair Col
| Mercer said, and as he was receiving no
| salary from the academy, the board
thought he should be given his reg1iIar
| price. This was a contract with Mr.
| Brandt, he said, and had been confirmed
! by the society and the confirmation re-
corded on the minutes.
| The society ought not to have electad
| the present board of managers, he said
| If II did not have confidence in them
! He regarded the resolution as a harsh
| criticism upon the board, and its passa %
/ would be inconsiderate and ungenero,is
| He intimated that some members of the
| board might resign If such a resoll.tt al
were passed. He spoke of Mr.. BrapSi1,s
| efforts in behalf of art in Savannah and
also spoke of what he had done for. The
academy in the way of taking care Of
| the works of art since he has been re-
ceiving no salary.
| The board, he said, is as much I'm "a
| Vor of an art school as the ladies Who
| had established the art league Mr.
| Brandt had nothing whatever to do win
| 1t; the business is managed by the board