Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-20

Report fthc Committee on the Ahenesum, pre-
sented to the Council, March Is, 1852, and
| approved.
The Committee on the Atheneum, respect
fully report
Your committee has caused the necessary
alterations and repairs to be made to the bull
ding heretofore known by the name of the
Richmond Academy, to adapt it to the purposes
of the Athenaum and Library Rooms, in COM
pliance with the ordinance passed September
| I'd, 1851, making provision for public lectures
and libraries, and with the resolution adopted
November 10Th, 1851, appropriating the sum of
$4,000 for the repairs and improvements then
recommended in the report submitted by your
| Committee.
| The statement appended to and returned
with this report, shows that the repairs and inn
provements contemplated by your committee,
and recommended in their former report,
| have been effected at a cost not exceeding the
appropriation made by the Council for the pur-
pose; that $1,452 o. have been paid by the
| Chamberlain on the order of the President of
| the Counci and bills amounting to the sum of
S751 SO, remain to be paid as they are called
| for, making together the precise sum appropria-
ted Gncluding 81 received for sale of FORMS y
Your Committee having been careful to keep
the expenditures within the limits of the appro-
priation, and to confine them to the objects con-
templated by it.
AS will be seen from their former report, your
Committee expected that the gas pipes requi-
red to introduce the gas into the building, and
distribute it to the respective rooms, would be
furnished and fitted in by those having charge
of the gas-works of the city, and that no ex-
penditure would be required for that purpose.
1t was not. therefore, enumerated in their
| report, as of the objects of expenditure, and
M m, riotIO do t.
tanned, however, that while the pipes required
| to introduce the gas into the building would be
furnished and laid from the gas-works, those
required to distribute the gas through the bull
ding could not be furnished and fit ed in. Your
Committee were therefore comp elled to con-
tract with Mr.. Charles d. Yale, for furnishing
and fitting in the pipes in the interior of the
building. His bill, therefore, amounting to the
sum of S179 10, is herewith returned
1t will also be seen from their former report,
that your Committee did not recommend any
expenditure on the enclosure around the grounds,
beyond what might be required to make very
slight repairs to it; and no appropriation was
asked or made for that purpose. On taking
down the partition wall referred to in their re-
port, they ascertained that very considerable
number of old briefs Were obtained; and it
being very desirable to continue the brick wall
between the Athen8um lot and the alley on the
south, so as to enclose on that side of it the
lot recently conveyed to the City by the Tlus-
tees of the Richmond Academy, your Com
mittee thought it would be good economy to APP
ply the old bricks thus obtained to that purpose.
They did not hesitate, therefore, to make con-
tract for that purpose, which they effected as
they believe on very advantageous terms, with
Mr.. Richard Moran, whose bill therefor,
amounting to S137.38, is herewith returned.
There has been expended, therefore, for these
two objects not contemplated in their former re-
port, and for which no appropriation was made,
the sum of S3l6.58. In view OF the necessity
and propriety of the expenditure, your Commit
tee did not doubt itwould meet the appreciation
of the Council; and now ask that an appropria-
ton be made sufficient to cover it.
The Committee would take occasion to state
further, that the delivery of lectures in the
Atheneum has been commenced, and that thir-
teen lectures have already been delivered, be-
sides the introductory discourse which was
made by John Robertson, Esq, at the opening
of the Institution.
The Richmond Library Association have ia
ken possession of the rooms appropriated to it,
which have been will furnished at the cost of
the Association, and the books are now removed
into the Library, which is open to the use of
all the Citizens of Richmond. The Historical
Society of Virginia has also taken possession
of the rooms appropriated to its use, and will
very soon be in theiractua occupancy. A more
particular report will hereafter, at the proper
time, be made in regard to the lectures deliver
ed at the Athenaum; the proceeds thereof; the
manner in which such proceeds may be applied;
and the condition of the fund, as required by
the Ordinance. 1t may, however, be proper to |
state here, that the proceeds of the Lectures
have thus fan considerably exceeded the ex-
anHt hntp1 roo
ing which promises to be amply sufficient in
time. to answer all fha laudahle nurnnses To