The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-08

| cities have local museums and at last
report were instructing the guardianship
| of their history to the museum commit
| tees and the departmental or municipal
archaeological societies. Mines appoints
! special agents to receive in its name the
| articles discovered in public work, and
| charges the curator of the museum with
| supervising other operations, declaring by
law that all objects Of historic interest
are uncovered by contractors are the
property of the city, and Bordeaux re-
quires that it be stipulated in every
transfer of property that such finds shall
be submitted to the curator of the mu-
seums, for acceptance or rejection.
Outside of France, several European
nations-as Switzerland Denmark, and
Norway-make a national appropriation
each year for the preservation or pur-
chase of antiquities, for the gathering of
information regarding local history. In
Switzerland part of the grant may be
used to aid public or private societies in
preserving monuments. In addition, the
city of Geneva reports that some years
ago the Bureau of Civic Archives adopt
ed the plan of reproducing by photograph
50 as to preserve their memory in apprO-
pirate albums, although edifices and
monuments, artistic or historic, which
were about to be demolished in order to
open new squares or streets" Archaeo-
logical fragments and so on that are
found in excavations and removals are
gathered into museum. and in June,
1897, a commission was charged by the
city with preparing a list of all artistic
hull
of preservation. In Berne. as in so many
places. dependence is placed on the vigi-
lence of the museum committee.
In Holland, the matter is left in the
hands of individuals or cities. Amster-
dam stipulates in certain public works
that such articles of historic interest as
may be found shall belong to the gov
eminent
Belgium for over sixty years has had
royal commission of monuments to pro-
tect public buildings. but seems to make
no national effort to preserve those in
private hands. In Brussels the Archaeo-
logical Society has made careful Cata-
logue of the traces of history in the city.
This is accessible 70 the department OF
public works. and when discoveries are
anticipated in any undertaking permits
sion for it is granted only on condition
that such finds shall belong to the city.
Moreover, each time that an old quar-
ter IS demolished. it is examined with
care by the city inspector OF buildings.
who makes a report on the parts 10 be
preserved or the articles worthy 10 figure
in the municipal museums"
From Antwerp comes report Of a city
law making public sessions Of the NUM-
cipaI council obligatory when the destruc-
ton of ancient monuments or public
buildings Is discussed. Furthermore the
owner of an old building can only apply
- the city for financial aid II 1t Is his
wish 10 restore the facade to its print
tive style This under the local con-
d;tions. is an interesting law. There Is il
Belgium, also. a national society for the
protection Of 'sites and monuments
and 1t has drawn III an elaborate code
OF instructions for the guidance Of those
who are employed in the restoration or
repair Of ancient structures
Among the German cities various action
Is taken The state seeming 20 have made
no effort 20 restrain individuals who are
owners Of historic property. n Berlin
this matter IS put in the hands IF the d.
rectors CT the museum The city depart
uents report 10 them any discoveries that
arc made and the government offers %
Its workmen small prizes FOR finds ~ his
tor5cal interest Il Is stated thar This
has proved Il good means Of exciting their
zeal and preventing an abuse II trust"
In Dresden the official Commission for
the Preservation CO Artistic Monuments