The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-30
DIR RUsRS BEoUEST.

1EST RDAY o meeUlng OF tne bVOckhOluers vi
the Philadelphia LIBRARY Company was held
for the purpose of taking into consideration
the acceptance or rejection of the bequest
made by the late DIR. James Rush. When the
fact was first made public that the Philadel-
phia Library had fallen heir to the magnificent
sum of one million dollars, there was gene
raj expression of satisfaction among all classes
of citizens. Literary men especially, who
know what the institution now is, who have
enjoyed the many facilities that are afforded
under the liberal system of management
that throws its fine collection open to all
comers, saw in the possession of DIR. Rushs
wealth the means for largely increasing its
usefulness and placing it on a level with the
greatest of the great libraries of the world
The Philadelphia Library has for years, in
deed from its very foundation, been ham
pered for want of funds; but it has been
managed with prudence and skill, and in spite
of its poverty it has obtained and fairly main
tanned name and reputation of which the
people of this city may well be proud. 1t was
the general opinion that DIR. Rush could not
have given his wealth to worthier object, or
to one that would make it permanent bless
ing for all coming time and the congratula-
tions that were bestowed upon the library
for its good fortune we're as sincere as they
were deserved.
On the publication of DIR. Rush's WILL how
ever, it was found that his bequest was en-
numbered with vast number of curious and
absurd conditions, directions, and express
sions of opinion that rendered it difficult to
understand what his real wishes were, and to
make it extremely doubtful whether the
money would not be more of an encumbrance
than an aid to the library. The more the
matter was considered, the more doubtful be-
came the expediency of accepting the bequest;
and when it was understood that the executor
of DIR. Rush had, in compliance with his di-
rections, determined to locate the new library
building at Broad and Christian Streets and
that he had purchased a lot of ground for the
purpose, the hesitation to accept the bequest
with its entrammelling conditions became
clearly defined.
1t was felt however, that the matter was
one of so much importance that hasty action
would be imprudent and after thorough
discussion yesterday and free expression Of
opinion among the stockholders present, it
was finally concluded to defer final action on
the subject until October next. The legal
opinion that was obtained as to the inten-
tions of the testator stated that the whole
matter of selecting lot and erecting build
ing was in the hands of the executor, and
that in choosing the location at Broad and
Christian streets he was carrying out the
exact wishes of DIR. Rush If the Philadel-
phia Library were removed to this place its
usefulness would undoubtedly be materially
impaired, and, coupled with the other extraor-
dinary conditions of DR.. Rush's will, the ex-
padianey of accepting the bequest is more
than doubtful.
A million dollars, however, is a great prize,
and the Library Company is right to take
time for careful consideration of the matter,
but it would certainly seem that the most
judicious course for it to pursue is to decline
the money, and carry on its work as it
has been doing, trusting to the iberality of
the citizens of Philadelphia to furnish it
with funds, if any are needed, to carry on
operations.
If the Philadelphia Library refuses to accept
the bequest, the public will not lose the
benefit of it, for, by the provisions of DIR.
Rush's will, the money will be devoted to the
establishment of an independent free library.
Under all the circumstances, this appears to be
the best thing that could be done. DIR. Rush
was perfectly right to impose such conditions
in his bequest as would insure it's being
applied in proper manner to the object in
tended, and protected from waste and ex-
travagance; but the greater portion of his will
was mass of absurdity, which could only
have emanated from an eccentric recluse who
had no practical ideas as to what he wanted
to do himself, or what we're the necessities of
the institution he desired to benefit 1t is
question whether the Philadelphia Library has
right, in view of the position it holds as a
public institution, to cucumber itself by
accepting the money SO ungraciously be-
slowed.