The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-13
The Project for n New Building.

The accommodations Of the library having been
inadequate for a long time, movement looking to
removal into more commodious quarters was started
by the stockholders over eight years ago. and at an
adjourned meeting held on the 25th of January 1859,
the directors were requested to inquire into the eX
pedency Of moving to some more central location,
and also to ascertain the probable expense which
would attend such removal.
At the annual meeting in 1860 the directors re-
ported that suitable location could be obtained for
0,0O0, on which building large enough to accom-
modate the library for thirty years to come could be
erected at a cost OF 100000. The value OF the old
building was reported at about S6O0oO so that there
would remain about 600 to be raised by subscrp
ton and donation. But in January, 1861, the direc
tors reported that they had consulted several leading
citizens OF wealth and public spirit who united in
saying that the community was not in condition to
contribute the amount required.
In 1868, however, the directors again took the sub
ect into consideration, and ordered that all the
moneys accruing from the sale of stock after
a building fund. This plan has been pursued. and
the following amounts have been transferred to the
fund during the past four years:-
1868 $500 s14, ,264
1864 .............. 1923 1865. s........,.. l6,44S
1865 ........... 5,Gi8 Total s47 500
AT the annual meeting In January, 1865, com
mittee OF twenty-five prominent citizens was ap
pointed to take into consideration the new building
project, and TO solicit subscriptions for the same.
On the 18th OF December following the subject was
by them brought before the stockholders, at q spe-
cial meeting at which resolutions were adopted to
the effect that new and more commodious building
was eXpedient, desirable, and necessary and that
its location should be central, as to afford easy
access to 1t from all parts of the city, resolution
by donations ana the sale OF STOCK and scrip. But
the committee OF twenty-five took no steps towards
carrying out its recommendations, and soon ceased
altogether TO act At the beginning of 1866, how
ever, the Board of Directors made another effort
to increase the building fund.- 10y sending circulars
TO all the stockholders urging them to take active
part in the sales Of stock and scrip and in soliciting
subscriptions, while special circulars were at the
same time forwarded TO such wealthy citizens as it
was thought would feel disposed to aid the under
taking. The responses TO all these petitions We're
lew and far between, and people had gradually come
m hp In
ng for the OF the Mercantile Library was one of
hose indefinite and intangible affairs which belong
altogether TO the next century
The matter rested in this unsatisfactory condition
until suddenly the announcement was made OF the
purchase OF the
Franklin Market Building,
located on the west side OF Tenth street, between
Chestnut and Market, certainly one OF the most des-
rabe positions in the entire city for public library.
Ths building was erected about six years ago, and
was for time used market house but II was sub
sequently purchased by the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad
company with the object OF converting II into a
passenger depot This project was abandoned, and
during the last years OF the war the building was
as a commissary storehouse. When the firm of
French, Richards Co. were forced to seek tempo
rary quarters by the fire which destroyed their esta
bshment at the corner Of Tenth and Market streets,
they obtained lease OF the building, and occupied
II during the re-erectOn Of their old place The pur
chase was effected for the Of si26,OOO aud the
ola building at the corner Of Fifth and Library
streets was sold for $4,000
The New Library Building.
All the many and extensive alterations required In
library have now been completed The'pans for the
improvements We're drawn by the architects, Messrs
John Frazer, Frank Furness, and George w. Hewitt
and were approved by the Board OF Directors. AS
now finished, the Mercantile Library OF Philadelphia
in exterior az well as INTERIOR is without rival on
this continent.
The entire structure has front OF so feet and
depth Of 301 feet, thus giving a surface Of 2,0s0
square feet. The second lQQT ~ II 10y % feet In