n8 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



I do not see, myself, why an association like this, which has 

 shown how much it can do unaided, which has grown to such 

 proportions and shows such results, 'and which manifestly and 

 unquestionably must grow even more rapidly in the future and 

 assume an even more important place in the city of New York — I 

 do not see why it should not be recognized as the city has recog- 

 nized the American Museum of Natural History and the Metro- 

 politan Museum of Art. This is not a moneymaking institution, 

 any more than a public school or the College of the City of 

 New York or a public library ; and all such institutions ought, it 

 seems to me, to be helped as far as possible by the community 

 which they benefit. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has grown 

 from a very small beginning, and there are men still active among 

 us who were members of the association which began it, and 

 many more who remember the little building in Fourteenth street 

 in which it was housed for many years. The association which 

 shows, as this one does, a capacity for growth -of a similar kind, 

 if not to such grandeur, should be fostered and assisted by every 

 legitimate means. 



I speak of this because I am aware that I am looked to to bring 

 it to pass. That, of course, I cannot do. Much more can be 

 done in that direction by officials in the central city government. 

 This much, however, I can say for myself — that, as soon as the 

 finances of the city permit, and at any legitimate opportunity that 

 offers, I shall use my utmost endeavors toward a regular appro- 

 priation for the Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences. 



I am very glad to have an opportunity to formally welcome the 

 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences to the borough 

 hall. It is very pleasant to me to think that this important society 

 has found its home under the same roof that shelters the local 

 borough government with all its bureaus and branches, and that 

 we form all together one family, devoted with a single purpose to 

 the welfare and advancement of our island. 



I am inclined to regard this as a particularly propitious date for 

 the initiation of the new abode of the Association, as it is the 



