Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-24

portion of the work upon which we have en-
tered cannot be hastily undertaken, 1t will be-
come the duty of cur successors IN the govern
ment of the city to provide for IL and carry 1t
into effect. But, for many reasons, it is the
opinion of the committee that lot for the
building should be selected and purchased at
the present time and no small part of our de-
alterations has been devoted TO this inquiry
and selection, The committee have at length
decided by q unanimous vote, to recommend
that the City Council purchase the lot of land
owned by Hon. Emory Washburn, and front
ing on Elm street. This plat is about one hun
dred feet square and contains not far from ten
thousand feet. In the Judgment OF the COM
mittee it combines more advantages than
any other which has been mentioned to
them 1t possesses the requisite dimen-
sions is in the vicinity of the active center
of the city ; is removed from the noise
and disturbance Of Main street, and yet
is conveniently near to it; and has the best
guarantee of good air and abundant light at
all future time. The committee have obtained
from Gov. Washburn his price for this land,
which is fifty cents per foot, with the reserva-
ton of an old barn building now standing up
on it, which he will remove at notice. The
committee recommended the purchase OF this
lot.
The law of the Commonwealth provides
that city or town may establish pubic
library and for such purpose may appropriate
sum not exceeding one dollar per each OF its
rateable polls in the year proceeding that in
which the appropriation is made and annual.
ly, thereafter, sum not exceeding fifty cents
per poll. Adopting the number of polls OF
last year as the measure Of our appropriation,
we can, if we deem it best, appropriate five
thousand three hundred and sixty dollars. The
committee believe that the exigency OF the
case demands that the amount of Five THOU
SAND DOLLARS be now appropriated for
this purpose. The sum is large; but it is
needed for rightful and proportionate
commencement of this work. The popular
or lending department of the library will
Immediately require considerable acces-
cession of books; and after allowing for the
expenses incident to carving on the working
operations of the institution, what would re-
main of this sum of $4,000 will not be larger
than will be required for such increase of the
library. The committee therefore unanimous
ly recommend that this sum be now appro-
priated. AS no part of it can be wanted until
after the organization of the Board of Direc-
tors it will fall to the lot of our successors to
provide for the payment of the amount. We
ought to be willing to assume the responsible
ty of voting the appropriation, and whatever
its relation may be to the finances of the ensu"
ing Guy government IL Will So lar Ut CHAR Sdule
to our Judgment and policy From this share
of accountability we ought not to shrink.
The committee herewith submit form of
ordinance in accordance with the terms of the
endowments conferred upon the city; and in
framing its provisions it has been their aim to
make them few and simple, leaving for the
Directors of the library the details which will
be better provided for by that body in the gen.
eral frame work of its rules and regulations
which they will be called to establish. The
committee also report forms of votes cover
ing the points hereinbefore stated. They also,
in conclusion submit resolutions expressing
the gratitude which they doubt not the City
Council in common with all the citizens OF
Worcester cherish towards DIR. Green for
his thoughtful and sefsacrificing munifcence,
and towards the Association whose timely
liberality is an essential part of the endow
ment upon which it is proposed now to estab-
fish the foundation of benefcient public in
stitution, all of which is respectfully submitted
December 49, 1859.