The Washington times., 1901-11-17
DOSTON'S STRANGE Law.
Mayor Hart Violated q Statute by
Hanging a Picture.
Offence Consisted of Placing n Por-
trait of the Late President Mckin-
ley i'm the City Hnli-It VIII
Doubtless Be Passed Unnoticed.

trait of the Late President Mc<in-
ley i'm the City Hall-It VIII
Doubtless Be Passed Unnoticed.
Mayor Hart is a lawbreaker, but the
case against him is not very serious
one a.ad the legal authorities are not
likely to take notice of the mayors dis
regard OF the law.
The mayors offence consists In hang
ing on the walls Of his Office at cityssall
picture OF the late President McKiniey. b
without first consulting the art commis-
sion of Boston and getting their approval
OF the portrait.
Yes said Private Secretary Ernst the
other day to Globe" reporter. II think
it may be said that the hanging OF that
picture of our late President in the may
er's office, without the assent OF the art
commission. is a direct vios tion Of the
law
I'VE have too many laws" continued
Mr.. Ernst, too much meddling with per-
sonal liberty. and too much special leg
| islation for the city OF Boston
| Visitors to the mayors Office during
| the present administration have noted
the absence of the familiar faces that for
I years adorned the walls of the mayors
| private room. Local statesmen were
/
| Of such men as ex-Mayors Prince. Palm
er. Martin, o. Brien, Curtis. Matthews and
| the present chief executive. whose pic
lures. some In crIyon and some in oil.
used to hang from the walls Of the may
| or's room.
| 1t was a peculiar collection of the work
| of Boston artists Some were in expen-
sive gold frames, some were encased in
| oak, and one was In a somber black frame.
Perhaps 1t was this odd collection of Bos-
ton art efforts that suggested the crea-
tion by the Legislature of the art commits
sion, although the main eontributary
causes are popularity supposed to have
been the Cogswell fountain. that Occu-
pied prominent position on the Common,
and the Cass monument
The latter has been replaced by a more
heroic figure of Colonel Cass. while the
former has been banished from the pub
lie eye altogether.
When Josiah Quincy came to city hall
he found the walls of the mayors suite
crowded with pictures of former fnayors.
few of which his artistic eye approved.
Before he retired he commissioned
young Quincy artist. named Brooks. to
produce statue of Colonel Cass. to re-
place the one already erected to his men-
duee bronze bas-reliefs OF all the mayors
of the city. beginning with Gen a. P
Martin to adorn the walls of the mayors
rooms at city hall
Some of the latter have arrived. and az d
soon as Mr.. Brooks completes the order
and the art commission approves them 70,
and indicates how and where they may
hang. they will be put in the places
assigned them by the city messenger.
Mayor Quincy put his office into apple
pie order to receive his successor two
years ago. A new quartered oak floor was
substituted for the old one the walls
and ceilings were tastefuiiy decorated.
and the room was made more cheerful and
busiues-like than it had ever been before
New furniture was installed, and about all
that was left of the Old furnishings were
tha large silver water pitcher and silver
goblet that stand in their accustomed
place near the private entrance.
The pictures of the ex-mayors were re-
moved to the room occupied by the board
of apportionment durir its brief exist
ence. where they stid remain This room
was part Of the auditors division. and
has since been retsored to him
The art commission was established by
the Legislature In 1898 The members are
John T. Coolidge, jr-. named by the trus-
tees OF the Public Library; Albert W.
Longfellow, named by the Boston Society
of Architects; Francis w Chandler,
named by the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology; Samuel D. Warren, named
by the trustees of the Museum of Fine
Arts, and Charles \. Cummings. named
by the Boston Art Club.
No salary is attached to the position.
and the commission has cost the city
less thaa $500 since its creation-not an
expensive luxury
No work OF art can become the proper
ty of the city without the approval of the
art department. which may also be re-
quested By the mayor or the city council
to pass upon the design of any munich
pal building. bridge. approach. lamp. or
ture to be erected upon land belonging to
the city.
All contracts or orders for the execu-
zion of any painting. monument. statue,
bust. bas-relief. or other sculpture. for
the city must be made by this board act
ing for the mayor, subject to his approv-
al.
The mayor is often rendered monu-
ments. statues. drinking fountains. and
the like. as memorials to individuals.
Heretofore he has had TO struggle with
many persistent people, but now he can
turn them over to the art COM
mission. Unless 1t Is a pretty good thing
the art commission declines ii with
thanks and that usually ends it. The COM
mission has authority over the State
House grounds, although they are in the
city OF Boston.-Boston Globe.