The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-27
SOCIAL SCIENCE.


| observation-disclosures by DIR. Eliot, Pro-
fessor Dwight and A. X. SpoRord.
| Tne eighth general meeting or the American Social
Science Association was begun yesterday afternoon
at the rooms or the Historical Society, corner or
! Second avenue and Eleventh street. There was d
very small audience during both the afternoon aud
| evening sessions.
| Mr.. SAMUEL ELIOT the President OF the Associa-
| ton, made the opening address, After explaining
| the aims OF the association he touched upon the
| work actually before the association. He stated
| that pamphlet concerning the courses at the
University OF Berlin was TO be issued Immediately
| as contribution to university education in the
| United States. Another pamphlet would probably
go TO press before the end OF the current year
tanning simple body OF rules Tor tue organization
ana administration OF public libraries together with
| catalogue OF few thousand volumes adapted for
| general use, particularly in communities now With
public library. third publication win follow
| soon, being the next number OF the journal OF
! the association containing papers read at this
| meeting with other articles upon matters OF
| social interest The coming winter win be fully
| occupied with carrying various otacr projects
into execution, particularly the preparation OF q
| handbook for emlgranis 10 TINS country with the
| design OF aiding them in finding suitable occupa-
tons and settlements. More important still, 10 the
| association as 10 the nation, the reform OF the
| civil and foreign service for which tnls body has
| already done something, aud for which 1t hopes to
do something more, Identifying ITSELF as far IA posi-
| bic, with which not only the political hut
the social ana moral welfare or our people may be
| said 10 depend.
The rev. Dr.. WINES, in the absence OF the author
read paper written oy Ill. l.. Dawes, Representa-
tive from Massachusetts, on 'Ihe Mode Of Procedure
IN Cases OF Contested Electons.m Nh. Dawes, IN
| the paper, alter giving detailed history or the
mooe OF procedure IN this country closed by saying
that an amendment TO the constitution neces-
sary TO bring about radical reform, but some fa-
proyement may be had by changing the manner or
/ appointing the committees and by such a public
sentiment as would put an end TO party exactions.
| This public sentiment necessary. as men,
| beers now content themselves wita simply record
| ing their names and leaving the discussion OF q
case to the parties directly Interested; Llus making
| 1t an engine OF political parties working tneir
ends and involving the institutions OF the country in
| their purposes and fate.
| Professor 4. W. DwIGHr of Columbia College
opened the evening session with an essay on "lhe
| Pu bic Charities OF New iorS = IN whica he gave a
cursory glance at the various charitable institutions
| in the STATE and paid higA compliment 10 the
efficiency and good management Of the commission
| which has Charge OF the New York county
! INSTITUTIONS. Tic referred particularly TO the
new method Of teaching the dear ana dumb 90
| speak by articulation, ana denounced as barbarous
the practice OF some county institutions uaAlng
distinction OF sex on age IN their amshoases ana
! asylums. The treatment OF the Insane was e3pc-
cially subject that should arouse the pubic mind,
| and tue bad system prevalent IN me institutions
in which these unfortunates were chained Ike anI-
mas IN cells Teeking win lllth aud verinln was
described at great length. Inc great remedy for all
evils tnat exist IN the system OF public charities
for the state 10 exercise control over the institutions.
Local administrations nad proved failures that As.
where tue STATE had no control. care Should he taken
as 10 classification OF paupers; the young and innO
cent should nos he herdod together with the maturcy
corrupt for the speaker said he knew inst IA some
| places the inmates OF institutions herded together
| regardless OF sex by dav aud otea by night Able.
| b0dled paupers should not be allowed 20 remain
idle, aud the state III locating public institutions
should not accept grants OF anG nom towns or VAL
lagos In order not 10 be under obligations 10 them.
/ A. 4. sporfoRD the lihrarian OF Congress, read
tlarnr nFf ha Ff4.N
States.n After giving sort OF history OF the manner
| by which pubic libraries Of any note were nrst
established In tuis country he sad THAT the largest
Volumes
| Library OF Congress. washington. 1888 100
2-Boson Pubic LIBRARY Iba o01
3-Astor Library. New ork. ............... I3snOl
| 4-larvard College Library, Cambridge. 80. MS, J0l
5-Mefcantle Library, New YORK. .......... l0A50O
6-AthcnGum Library, Boston. ............. 10000
| 7-Phladelrhia Library Co., Philadelphia. $4,000
| S--AeW YORK state Library. Alhanr........ $4,000
! New York Society LIDrary New York.. n, go
| 1O--iae College l.. 1fary. New fsycu........ 5000
! Mr SroFFoRo. alter spea&ing o. the great adyaa-
tages 10 be derived troui such libraries Aston
| the Mercantile and ttat ol the Cooper UnOn when
! properly conducted, said
question OF commanding interest The answer il 10 be
sought IN the ina aim q each BE exclusive YOU
YOUR duty 70 your interest wnaow with toe utmost csre
Sas b sos pvbeS sa, oac h oe e,s 70 sef s
neaIg not w tshh9n let zoe ony safe rule ~ pri-
What u husNs ana straw To reader pn3a.
Jun 10 anotnefs that wNph
next year turn out 20 have wholly GueSeUtI
prominent journal q this city recently sr0rosea what
pleased 10 Tel 'Necaing QUE u
At NsehiDgion on the suggested need ysas hence 81
space 10 accommodate IT'S iast Acrra
ing - hcathiu process, DOUBT wUethtf viewed aercn.
turay or heectua ", but Il pertinent 4sk when
comes 10 be Applied to libraries t. sprr.
inend the process and what guaranee have We .as via
be ulcousy porformedt DO LEANED ever reaect
/ whether their own WORKS, Ia multituiiLous
o. grand folio might not psrehance, BE- tie hr.t
i easy @ s.isnailse "lfssh tie S mass Of tho
books with which libraries crowded t X easy
had self constituted who tho eed-
Ing othem with aaerity But who censure tha ceusos
who certify 10 the ruOlc the justice Judgment Nay
there any oerable certainty able to
agree with one another When the priest tho barber IN
the immortal romance OF Ccrvancs the
| library OF Don Quxots % those books which
had. done him SO much mischief, they met with
some unexpected obstacles. Not every book that
| the priest condemned to the flames would the
barber permit 10 90 out and not every book that went Out
was supposed to stay out have great scholar kn
die Into eloquenco dingy volume controversy which
appeared to me 10 contain nothing but dismal pat
tdes The world has mounod twelve centuries the oss
OF fabulous AeIandran library of voumes burned
BY she caiph Omar with fictitious rhetorical die.n@s
In his mouth. Yet the hypernole OF antiquity -
| rsalizcd Ia . modern editor, who would apply INC
, torch before our largest library has yss rea'nea