New-York tribune., 1903-04-07
IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM THE SILENT
Holland Society to Pay $4,000 to Henry
NJ Shrady for Statue.

The Holland Society of New-York held its egh-
teenth annual meeting at Delmonico's last night
Theodore NJ. Banta presided at the meeting, which,
after some routine business proceeded TO the cleo
ton of officers for the ensuing year. The follow
ing were unanimously elected: President, Theodore
NJ. Bantat secretary, Henry L. Bogert, and treas
urer Arthur H. Van Brunt.
After the election of officers DR.. D. B. St John
Roosa addressed the meeting. He said that he
hoped the members would support his proposition
which was to bronze statue in honor of
William the Silent. After explaining his rea-
sons for the proposition, he offered a resolution
that the committee of the society for the erection
of a statue William the Silent be authorized to
make contract with Henry NJ. Shrady, st the
cost of $4,000 the statue not to be taken by the
Holland Society unless passed upon favorably by
the Municipal Art Commission
Mr. Roosa explained to the members that
fund amounting to s11 600 had already been col
lected for the purpose, and said that all that
needed was for the members to act and to decide
what action ought TO be taken in the matter.
Robert B. Roosevelt did not think it wise
for the society let out contract for the build
ing of a statue until sufficient funds had been col
lected He made amendment to the original
motion. which readily seconded. and was ear
ried by unanimous vote 1t provided that the
committee be authorized to make contract with
Henry NJ Shrady for the statue. to cost $40 900;
that il should not be accepted unless passed on by
the Municipal Art Commission. and that the con-
tract be into only when the $4,000 had been
subscribed.
The principal speaker of the evening Robert
b. Roosevelt He made address in reference to
the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the city
charter. He said in part:
The best government in the world Is that of a
good autocrat Two hundred and nifty years
ago the little island of the Manhattans was com
seouentIy the best governed place in the world.
And yet its inhabitants were not contented They
had set up strange notions; they contended that
there should be taxation without representation,
n most pestiferous doctrine for those days. but
which grew and grew, like most of the ideas of
Holland Dutch origin. till il overspread the entire
continent New-England paid it the compliment OF
adopting II as its peculiar discovery, and II
brought on the of the American Revolution
one hundred and twenty-five years later.
In wealth New-York is one OF the two chief cities
of the world; in population one OF the three; in
financial power the equal OF any, and in literary
artistic and political influence greater than all
our successors will reside in and govern the grand
est richest. influential and by far the wealth
lest municipality in the world. Yet IL was begun
two hundred and fifty years ago Only In one
matter have we deteriorated. Then we would not
submit dictation tyranny from the high
mightinesses across the sea: nov We basely submit
to the rule of the low mightinesses at Albany
This spirit is Dutch IS not worthy of our an
cestry, and let resolve now and here that there
shall be end to it once and forever.