New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-05
TO ENCOTR4GF ART ~ CITIES.
ARTISTS GnArirIED At THE srGNING OF rHF
BIrIe-rTs POSSIBILITIES DISCUSSED

ARTISTS GRArrrrED At THE SIGNING or THE
grrrerrs POSSIBILITIES DISCUSSED.
There h,. been erea, rejoicing among Ncw-York
t.. ,.o- since Governor Black signed the Dill
~ encourage the development ~ art In the c'ies OF
tho State This measure authorizes cities oi INV
first class to expend any amount no' 10 eNcee'
80 900 annually. and cities Of the second class any
amount not 10 exceed $1,000 annually An eHor'
wiu DO made by the Art Commission at an carry
dov % carry into effect the provisions OF the Dill
:, vas drafted At a meeting held by Thomhs w
Wood John La Fargo and j q. Brown presidents
OF the National Academy ~ Design. the society OF
American Artists and the American WATER 'oior
soc,e,v respeciively together win D. '"Iro' NV"
Vim and william 81. Chase. Cities OF the hrst
49,, cor5 classes IN the State. in the discretion OF
.n.o o,acors mr. bodies Of such cities that nave
chnrge Of the appropriation Of tho publc iuhns'
are authorized TO purchase works o. ART "no"
,nust be the productions OF pro'esSl""a' "'"''
who arc citizens OF the United STATES anu mus
,a,,o h.sn cxecu,ed I'm tho United States. All art
,ro,uc,ons purchased under this act inc'u"'"s
-, paintings or decorations which artists may
So ornloved 10 put on the walls OF the pubic oui'd
two. o- such cities mosaics and stained OF ph"'eu
c,,aa must be selected by the art o"'""''
,,e CITY and whore no provision ~ "o" ~ =,
,a,, ,or an art commission Tor any Guy VI '"o nc
80 socond class the Mayors OF such cities must "'
ao a. INV city decides 10 expend any money
~ az. no, appont art commissions Tor SUCH
I'M
, uor,.n may be included In euch coH'n's-
,or. which must not contain more IMAM o"'s
majority 81 persons selected from any ORE pn'.
-, ond shnu be composed OF persons VINO are
experts In art matters a, ..r -,
Carroll Beckwith. member OF inc counc'' %
-, .,,.uv Of Design who appeared before inc
committees OF the Senate and Assembly III po"ai
n, the measure made an interesting '' W.
80 s,,b,ect Yesterday TO a Tribune reporter.
Tho bin TO encourage tho development OF h'' ~
il
Mr. peckwith. is OF such Importance TO America"
.,.,s ,,a, they have not yet fully graspeo its
future possibilities. What the American p"'h'e'
particularly stands In need OF 'o-""' IN a" 'pp
,uni,v 10 display the ability ne possesses' 'h'S
oonno, he e,inced without the means necessary for
tho EXPRESSION OF his creative power-'h o'"e'
words sunport or patronage. MS IL given to artists
hv tho Government OF France and By a loyal public
In ENGLAND This is the first step that has ever
h., ,aken here toward intelligent officia. rrcog-
milton OF our artists
The hin is extremely catholic. covering all
c,a.ses OF nrt productions painted portraits, statu-
orc historical pictures decorations. staned-glass,
etc In fact every branch OF native art production
can be helped and encouraged, while our cities
will be benehciarles In adding to their attractive
ness and beauty ! have heard that Buffalo has
already taken steps toward Fronting oy the oppor-
tunity granted by this law.
"Some criticism has been advanced because Amer
lean artists residing abroad cannot, under this
law do work commissioned by the city abroad IL
mis-, he remembered however. that the purpose
Of the bill is aone to endow the city or cities
vim art works but TO develop art In our country.
I, IL considered by those who favor this measure
necessary for the fullest real ization OF this aim
,hot tho work shall be done here, thereby Great
ing nm interest in the production Increasing the
facilities OF production ana haDlua'ng our pant I'M,
AS n painter myself realize the charm and .i racii,
ity obtained by going to Paris or Rome hiring
large studio and living In an atmosphere most az
"a nn eeous and sympa thetc 10 my abors. But if
VAN "a evcry painter follows his inclination. how
snail we obtain here conditions favorable 10
III IL interesting to note that the orignai idea
NJ This bin came from professional poiitican;
"a s as. Thornton whose Intelligent interest In art
matters should be an example to an our citizens
lie unlimited Idea TO the presidents or several
- our arr societies who greeted II with delight.
ana went before our Legislature and argued IN Its
S sso, The DISPOSITION of any money VIII be en-
iirely In the hands OF the Fine Arts c9mmisso on
oresy al under the charter OF which Charles
r Rarney is the chairman should presume the
Commission would insist that the money should
at b appropriated by the city although the
ccommission may nrst make a recommendation. for
SxampiS. Tor . picture or decoration q marble
SNu