New-York tribune., 1898-01-01
MUSEUM AND FTRETRAP.

lie National Historical Museum is III HUT
esting and excellent institution. 1t was organ
lied for the purpose OF acquiring preserving
and freely exhibiting objects OF historical value
and thus diffusng knowledge. perpetuating the
memory Of honorable deeds and stimulating
patriotic sentiment Supported by the influence
of many well-knOwn men and women, including
a noticeable proportion of lawyers 1t procured
the passage by the Aldermen on Tuesday OF
resolution. which Mayor Strong signed ycster-
day. giving to the Museum the use Of the pres
ent Registers Office when the completio. OF the
new Hall of Records shall have enabled the city
to vacate that antiquated edifce. There the
Museum purposes to deposit all It's own posses
sons and such other relics as may he loaned TO
the collection for a longer or shorter period by
individual owners. and it is believed that an eX-
tensve exhibition OF an extraordinarily attrac-
tive character can thus be kept constantly open
for the pleasure and instruction Of the people.
The general scheme appears to US to be de-
serving Of appreciation and encouragement, but
there Is one consideration which the projectors
seem TO have overlooked.
In consequence Of IN agitation conducted
with varying energy through long period OF
years, and after many alterations Of hope and
despondency, the Legislature Mt Its last session
provided for the construction under favorable
conditions OF a new Hall OF Records for the
city Of New-York. site has been selected
design approved, and there is now no obstacle
In sight TO prevent the rapid accomplishment OF
an object which has been deemed Indispensable
than decade by everybody familiar
with the circumstances. The chief argument
for new Hall Of Records has always been
that the old one, unsatisfactory in all respects.
was peculiarly unfit for It's purpose by reason
Of the fact that 1t subjected It's contents to the
unceasng danger Of complete destruction. 1t
was III arranged. Ill equipped, Ill ventilated and
inconvenlent In every particular; but more
than that 1t was Fl perfect firetrap, and likely
to be utterly consumed at any moment. In
deed the belief was sedulously cultivated that
scarcely another public building on the surface
Of the globe deserved TO be compared with the
Registers office as an illustration Of the reck-
lessness with which an opulent community may
neglect It's archives. SO far ms we remember
there was never any denial OF the facts alleged.
The justice Of the indictment brought against
the prudence OF the municipality was unlver-
sally acknowledged, and 'he shame which was
felt by intelligent citizens, and especially by
members OF the bar who, having naturally
keener sense than most Of the value OF
property records, headed the crusade, was
powerful influence in carrying 1t through 10
successful termination
If this unsparing condemnation of the pres
ent Registers Office was fictitious, what excuse
shnl be found for the eminent and honorable
men who made It the basis Of their demand for
q new and costly Hall Of Records? If the con-
demnatlon was Just, isn't the Registers office
one of the most unsuitable buildings which the
National Historical Museum could possibly have
chosen as a repository of relics which are de-
scribed as priceless? The community. more
over. was often Invited TO reflect how pleasant
It would be to have the shabby old structures
which now cumber and deface the northeast
corner Of the City Hall Park demolished and a
restful stretch OF greensward cover their sites
We do not dwell upon that consider ltion now,
for. though we believe II was n part OF the gen.
eral expectation, It was not embraced In the
contract, and It may be argued that a museum
Is more desirable than grass and trees. But II
the Registers Office really Is a fretrap how
can the members OF the society which has OBJ
tanned permission to use It bear to expose their
treasures to the perils with which it is invested? :?
And how can they hope that the owners Of
similar memorabilia will deposit them there for
safe-keeping and the public benefit In con-
clusion. we wish It to be understood that we
are not hostile and censorlous, but full OF in
terest goodwill and socitude for an interesting
| enterprise.