New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-26
CORNERSTONE LAID.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
appropriate Ceremonies Mark Of
fetal Start of Brooklyn Structure.

Within the shadow Of the steel beams alread!
rearing their way to the sky, the cornerstone o
the new Academy of Music, in Brooklyn, was lait
yesterday afternoon with appropriate ""~emonies
The building is to take the place Of the old acad
envy, which burned down NOvemher 30, 1913
Since then the community has felt the lack OF .
suitable auditorium where musical, ponticai Alo
social affairs a semi-public nature could be heid
1T confidently predict g" said DR. st. Clair Nickel
yyav one Of the speakers that with this building
when completed Brooklyn VIII take on d ne" Se"9e
OF seff-respect and strength
Ex-Mayor Charles A. schieren. president of the
board of directors enterprise presided at the
exercises which were held in small, fag-draped
booth at the Lafayette avenue and ST. Felx street
corner. Among those on the platform, In addition
10 the directors and the speakers were the Venera-
ble ex-Nayor Whitney and former Park Commits
sioner Young.
Following an opening prayer by the Rev. Dr. L.
Mason Clarke. of the First Presbyterian Church,
ex-Mayor Schieren gave brief history OF the old
structure in Montague street. which. during the
Civil War was a rallying point for the patriotism
Of the community and outlined the movement
among private individuals which will result in the
structure to take its place in the civic life of the
borough
Martin W. Litteton who when Borough Presi-
dent ia 1904 called the first meeting to discuss the
replacing Of the burne' building, was the next
speaker He spoke of the great growth of Brooklyn
and Of the city into which 1t had been merged, and
OF the municipal problems that were pressing for
solution in increasing numbers and were trying the
genius integrity and endurance of the citizens. He
added:
to US TO set on foot a work whose dement's belong
SC & Pa In an enterprise ~
gain shall so TO all Of those who may come after
build OF the 2sf eeusi 3, 3iiSh f
Upon Hi for generations: we ttaaslafe into form
ard substance the spirit Of snligatened pTogTess
OF music; we organize our public spirit into
We 90 not build forum to show cur love of popu-
, lar government; We shape our sentiment into stone
lghtennent which SGTes from poPpiar g1yernment
and rooklTas patriotism paid for Il viii last the
longest Of al that is said or done within or with
LOCAL. It recognizes union 9f old an, and new
this point of vantage, and in this Offering Of the
best that IS IN The city. there IS significance Of
II 8 neo 5r Of her se city fe to the m
Of her possibilities IN the reconstruction of her
metropolitan life.
Dr.. NcKeway said that the occasion
both Of memory and hope. Some of those present
recalled the beginning of the old Academy in 1859.
while most of them had taken part IN gatherings
within its walls. He said:
Those occasions involved expressions of song. of
drama of painting and of sculpture. They also in
voed events in the interest Of religion OF social
causes. The old building was likewise a clearing
house for public opinion Every proposition upon
welcome and an audience We cannot recall that
structure without TeaiZlng Inc large enO luminous
The loss 10 Brooklyn because OF the lack Of such
large The best public opinion of this community
has had no place in which to speak its collective
Of which Brooklyn car be made a unit have had no
which Brooklyn is divided and contested have had
common forum.
The divisions within those parties whether for
gain for reform. have been deprived OF the same
sSon foFu NE o g be1o ' BrooWntes Would
greet and from whom Brooklynites would derive
s 5edp any an9 n buns ii g a9 To- the
poses or the causes they would advance
The public spirited citizens who organized and led
the movement would have an honored place In his
tory Dr.. McKelway said. LAS truly any enter
prise not municipal. and more truly than many en-
terprises which are municipal this Academy will
be public fact and public force he said
Borough President Coler then called upon TO
lay the cornerstone. In his Introductory remarks
he said in part:
bed to-day becomes. because Of the use we make
Of II, something alive with meaning Whatever to-
viii not know me; but the slight Impression my
trowel may make in the mortar under this rock
grandchildren have mingled our ashes with the
Ali our petty plans for selfish profit and selfish
pride will wither, but this viii stand II Will be
ring with her protest againt wrong. with her
piaudits for right Men viii here teach that more
and more may the truth be known Men will here
form II take in future days. The world-Old
struggle against greed and injustice Will be fought
It seems 20 ne that as Brooklyn is certain TO be
the greatest Of the ssterhood OF boroughs she will
take the leadership in the fight for more exalted
conception Of city government. II pleases me
Brooklyn man think this II pleases one
who has had very small part in the work
that is bearing fruit here TO think that this great
hal viii make it easier for Brooklyn to take the
leadership.
While the ed Regiment band played THE Star
spangled Banner" Borough President Coler moved
over TO whore the workmen slowly lowering
the three-ton OF granite and. tapping It with
trowel. declared II officially laid Under the stone
were placed list Of the subscribers to the build
Ing fund some 1880 in number), the bylaws and
Constitution OF the organization and Of the |
society that built the old building. some circulars
issued in 1893 regarding the latter the plans OF the
new building. reports Of the building committee |
and current issues OF newspapers OF Brooklyn and |
Manhattan
II is hoped to have the building which is now |
wen under way, completed before the middle of |
next year Its main auditorium viii seat more |
man 5pD and second hail Will hold 200 persons
!heTe VIII DE rooms for the Brooklyn Institute Of !
ATS ana Sciences and for studios. The building |
VIII cost nearly 10000. without the decorations |
Shlch several hundred thousand dollars will |
De spent million dollars Of stock has been SUBJ |
SHOULD MINISTERS KEEP DOGS?