The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-11

THE RUSH REQUEST.

TO the Editor of the Ecening Telegraph.
submit to the consideration of your readers the
following objections to the acceptance by the Phila-
Jelpha Library Company OF the trust offered by the
will of the late Dr. Rush-
J. The counsel consulted by the Directors (Mr
Meredith, Mr.. McMurtre, and Mr.. George w. Bid
dc) say that this not the proper time for decision
2. The Directors, IN presenting the subject to the
g. The location chosen by the executor for tile new
building is altogether unsatisfactory to the members
OF the company.
T. The whole library must go there if the spirit of
Dr. Rushs will is not to be Outrageousy dsregarded.
s. No one knows what the financial state of the
Trust is even likely to he when handed over to the
company. Opinions vary immensely as to the
amount of funds which will remain after the build
ing is completed. The will requires all the estate to
be spent on the building, except sufficient to secure
the annuites. This gives nothing whatever for pur-
chase Of books or expenses OF supporting the library
until one by one the annutes fall in, One thousand
hungry heirs eagerly expecting the demise of each
survivor of DR.. Rush's family!
g. The condition that the number of members shall
never be increased is an odlOus ana arisOCratc ea-
ture entirely alien to the spirit in which the library
was founded and has been administered. When thus
amendment of the charter asked of the Legislature
it will surely meet with opposition.
Z. The condition that the library company Shall
never connect itself with any other body corporate
is very Objectionable one The present Library
Company is Combination of the original comnSny
with three Others viz. The Amicable, the Associa-
liOn and the Union. Is 1t not possible that in the
mutation of human affairs it may be desirable for
the library company to unite with some other kim
dTed institution Suppose, for example that fifty
years hence some large hearted, generous, genial
phllanJnrOplsl, having amply provided Tor
the needs of his surviving relations should by
his last will offer u.s. with that noble confidence
which marks every page Of DIR. Rush'5 will, three
millions OF dollars TO effect union, say, with the
Mercantile or some other library company We
should be poweress. II it be said this is forced sup
position, and we are not likely again to find such
generous, munidcent sell-denying philanthropy as
that of the late DR.. Rush. suppose we must reiuct-
anty assent. But though such qualities are rare in
deed ought we to shut ourselves out from ayailinp
ourselves of them in all future time?
S. The condition that the directors shall be of such
and such profession, is dictatorial and offensive to
our Old and honorable corporation.
o. The most outrageous provision in the will and
the one which alone should cause rejection of the
trust is tlat which virtually appoints one of the in
surance companies of the city perpetual guardian
of the Library Company Of Philadelphia (See page
20 OF the WIZ That company is nOined to see that
the library company observes all the conditions of
the trust and OF course may have standing COM
mittee OF their board upon the Rush trust and claim
free access to all the accounts and business OF the
library company
Observe, also, that II they can catch the library
company tripping they are to have charge OF the
fund themselves.
We might continue at much greater length, but
these objections seem sufficient TO induce, at any
rate, delay until can take our observation COM
pute exact position the chart, and then shape
a course which win be safe ana prudent. T. u.
Philadelphia, oct. II, 1869