The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-18
PLEADS FOR ART.
STA TESMAN THORNTON CALLS UPON
MAYOR TIN UTCK.
Just Dropped In to Ask n job for an Artist
Friend Whom lie Had Met In Rome
Wants Him to Paint the Portraits of eX-
NInNnra md nlsiinrnishnh NrM Nnrkers.

Just Dropped In to Ask n job for an Artist
Friend Whom lie Had Met In Rome
Wants Him to Paint the Portraits of eA-
Mayors and Distinguished New Workers.
The Hon. Amasa Thornton visited the City
Hall yesterday for the first time since his re-
cent trip abroad. during which he hobnohbed
with the Prince Of Wales. the Emperor Will
liam Of Germany, the Pore and other European
notabilitics. The Hon. Amasa's visit to the
seat OF municipal government was III the in
terest of art. He arrived at the Mayors office
almost simultaneously with the Hon. Perry
Belmont. Raymond Ward and several other
citizens who came to interest His Honor.
as Chairman OF the Board OF Estimate. in
n scheme TO adOrn the City Hall with
portraits of all the living eX-Mayors and the
men who were most prominent in bringing
about consolidation. When Mr.. Belmont ad-
dressed the Mayor on the subject, the Hon.
Amasa stood at his right hand and said he was
in favor of the scheme. too. When Mr.. Belmont
seemed a triilc ut loss for words, the Hon.
Amasa came to his aid with a typewrittcn
statement which. rs Mr.. Belmont was forced
to admit. covered the whole ground. The
statement was as follows:
To n. Honorable the board of Estimate;
BY chapter 1926 Of the Laws Of 1893 the city OF
New York is authorized TO txpend annually the
OF American artists. for the purpose OF bcuuti-
Tying public, buildings and grounds of the city.
The expenditure of this money Is within the
discretion Of your body and we. therefore re;
Rpectfully suggest to you that the historical
OF the Greater NV YORK should he commemo.
rated. and to this end we respectfully ask that
provision be made under the Law for the paint,
the Hon. Andrew II. Green. the Hon. JameS.S 3.
T.. Stranahan,, who labored so long to unite the
citiesof New, York and BROOKLYN, and tn" Hon.
Thomas {. Plat. who also helped TO accomplish
this end; and also thnt OF the Hon. Robert A.
The sum which is placed at the disposal Of
your body by the charter Is sufficient. and We
suggest that your honorable, body provide for
the painting of portraits of the eX-Mayors now
living: TO- wit. ex-Mayors Ely. Cooper. Grace.
Edison, Hewitt. Grant. dilroy, and Strong, these
portraits to be placed in the city Hall In
granting this request. we believe you will per
form a service to the city.
The Mayor said that il his portrait was left
out he would favor such an appropriation.
Atterward Mr.. Belmont said he did not know
that the Hon. Amasa was to be present at the
meeting. He said that he and Mr.. Ward
brought the matter Of tho portraits mentioned
TO the attention Of the Mayor. at the request of
Carroll Beckwith and a number Of other prom
inent artists. The Hon. Amasa passed copies
OF CHAPTER 800 Of the Laws Of 1893 around
among the reporters. and said In an offhand
way that he had been instrumental in having
il passed by the Legislature. W lien asked how
he came to be interested in having additional
portraits hung in the City Hall. he said:
Vel. have always been Interested in art.
When ] was in the Vatican | saw there a
picture painted by an American artist. I was
and upon inquiry found that the artist was
living in the Eternal City. ! hunted him ur
and found that he had left his native land be-
cause he couldn't make a living there by paint.
ing; called his attention to the law which |
had passed in the Legislature for the benefit
Of American artists. He is in this city now
This job. il it is pulled, OFF, will be worth
S1l 900. l hope my friend may get il. Under,
stand there is nothing in it for me. l Just
came here to help a friend along