The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-08
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
Iron ADDITIONAL LOCAL ITEMS SEE THIRD rAanI


T1oN.-Many years ago a number of kind
hearted and benevolent citizens, surveying the
moral and intellectual condition of our city
saw evidences of social standing susceptible of
vast Improvement: and from observations of
acts plainly apparent, they concluded that
there was a lacking OF educational influences
extended to the rising generation Of that great
and noble class of humanity, the workmen
Means were not abundant TO the youth of that
class, who were obliged to labor the long
day through such meagre stipends that
would Just admit of bodily welfare, but would
not permit of obtaining the necessaries for in
tellectual advancement. These good men were
actuated to place within the reach of all such
persons the power that would enable them TO
cultivate their mental and moral faculties for
their indivldua elevation.
In the establishment of free library, COM
bining every department of knowledge i'm
science and art whereto the poor could come
and obtain information, these benevolent gem
tlemen saw at once the most feasible and prac-
tical method of promoting the grand object of
their desires. And in order that the noble work
should be carried out Immediately, that time
should not elapse in which some cold mn.
friendly influence would throw q chill over the
project a party of gentlemen, Henry Troth
Samuel j.. Shoder, Daniel b. Smith, and Thomas
KimbeT, assembled at the residence of the latter
on Arch street, one evening in the fall OF 1920.
There il was that the idea OF placing educational
opportunities within the reach of poor appren-
tice boys first took practical form.
A clarter was sUou drawn up for the incor-
poration OF a library, In the preamble of which
we'e Set forth the reasons which prompted the
Iuous habits; dlftuse Knowledge and the desire
for the acquisition of knowledge; IL would
improve the scientific skill OF our mechanics
and manufacturers; increase the benefits of the
system OF general education then adopted,
and advance he prosperity and happiness of
charter was granted by the Pennsylvania Legis-
laIure. and the Apprentices Library of PhIla-
dephla," -" wa incorporated.
The officers who had the management of
this institution under charge in its early days
were as follows:-Horace Blnney, Presidents;
RnhprfS PrpSidant.
Treasurer; Daniel b. Smith, Secretary; and
among the Managers were found the names of
the persons above mentioned. In a building,
which years ago formed a conspicuous object on
Chestnut street, west of Third but which many
years ago was razed to the ground TO give place
to mole modern improvements, the Appren-
tees Library was first located, All charitable
citizens of Philadelphia were called upon to
donate in the shape of books what they could,
and soon the shelves of this new formed Library
were filled with over two thousand volumes.
From this place 1T was removed, occupying
Carpenters Hall and the old UniIed States
Mint Building, on Seventh street, opposite Zane
(Aow FilberO, until finally, in lS4l, II was per-
manently established in It's present quarters at
Fifth and Arch streets. The building is an old
one, having been erected In 1888 by sect of
fighting Quakers, who being disowned by their
more peaceful brethren for their active and
warlike demonstrations, had erected this house
as place of worship.
On the entablaJure of the northern facade Of
the building can be seen large stone. bearing
the date of Its northumberland beneath the
curious phrase-"of the Empire, 8."flhis express
sion will at once be understood when 1t is
known JnaJ Cne rRnJlnB 6uaKerS considered
our country, from the outbreak OF the Revolu-
tionary War and the Signing of the Declaration
of Independence, in the light OF an empires and
the stone bearing the date of 1888, eight years
would have accordingly elapsed since the
establishment OF the so-called empire in l775.
scription fee of so for each member. This
income, with the interest accruing from the
invested fund, produces an annual income of
about $500; but after deductipg the annual ex-
penses contracted for the support of the Insti-
tuition, but a very small sum is left wherewith
10 iDStalmentS books,
the place of those which have gone to pieces by
wear and tear. The Managers, In their last
citizens TO aid them In furthering the objects
intended in the establishment of the Library,
to IL for the inculcation of sound, healthful
knowledge, and so that its influence may have
a more extended sphere of action, bringing
within the circle of its elevating power
an increased number OF these apprentice
boys and young laborlng females, VINO nay; nave
not the means of obtaining self culture with
out its pale. In place OF the two thousand vol
umes which forty-seven years ago niled lts
everythinp that can improve, morally and
mentally; and we hear that the perseVerlnR
and energetic managers intend to add read
5nS-room7 in which will be found the more
prominent journals and interesting perloolcals.
This institution, noble and well doing STANDS
within our very midst, comparatively unknown,
vet exercising a.strong but silent influence Ior
good. From It's origin it has kept pace with the
onward progress of our city, to It's advancement
IT, has Contributed greatly by extending Its
benetts TO the members who comp TINS large
cOTnmunitY. All OF It's members COulu
thiZe with the boy or girl who had been de-
priyed by want of means, OF the advantages OF
early scholarship, and TO whom the opening
volumes, placed benevolentiy Withln Ihelr
hands were the revelations of an "unexplored
world of thought and experience , ...,
MANY noble-hearted and industrious man
stands in our very midst a monument TO the
great good that this Institution has WIought
and could we trace the Individual nlstory oI
this city to years long past, we would observe
that the 6rsi good seed dropped IN many az AZ
uncultiyated heart and mind was cast Dy TINS
Tnstitution Some of our most rellaole pnysl-
cians skilful mechanics active meIGnahCs'
~acaiUed the first Information Of their business
from the well-worn books OF the Old library, G
The annual report of the Library Company,
for the year ending March ~ s Eeor n a. we learn
that 686 volumes have been added 10 Tue ooys
departm ent and 33S to the girls nlaking iie i1
total number of books about 2O,0OO AItSnCloai I
Ss called 10 the fact that of $4,000 volumes
loaned and scattered through thls greaV oiVS
lint thirteen have been lost. r,,,.,v,s quar-
since the organization of the Library oNol n
65 0O0 persons have participated In lts pen%ents %
The average number who draw DOCKS - SHG, 9itio,
fwo thousand persons The hnanclal couvItion oIItTm ~
Of the Company, so far as IT goes, IS graknyttiiS
Saaaronch as there are no liabilities against IT,
Rnt charitable citizens should eoLne 70 40 10, alo "
and by their pracl ical WORKS eACSliu , u 10 ,S
usefniness. II is hoped that such hoDle ttnS
,bII restitution as this Library Is shall
remain no lonq er in comparative onsGuilCy ~ ~
that our citizens Will ta6e y 1eeP9i Ipgnsnn,
its welfare, and ald IN ulhusihB A'S AH'A"'iio'
throughout our great clIy' , o,oo+od 70 oor
duet the Library for Lne President JobI
iprica w etherill Nice-PresldenG Ihonnas blug
aN Secretary; and Samuel Mason, treasurer
BeDiamin NJ. Hollipgsneao 10 th Road "p ~
Joseph X. huoaus S
Managers. --
,,,xe OLD IRON SPRINGS, ETo.-Ofice
1rinn arrested John Woods on WaTranS a issue ~
FfnE