The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-20
THE RIrSH REQUEST AND THE
- PRILADNLPHIA LIBRART.

accept 'the legacy of DR.. James Rush ac-
cording to the. terms expressed in his will.
The rooms of this ancient and honorable in
stitution presented scene of unusual actv-
ity while the ballots were being deposited, and
the number of votes polled, as well as the
closeness OF the contest, afford abundant evil
dance of the earnestness of the contendin9
narties. The decision in favor of an ac-
ceptance of the bequest was won under the
most unfayorable circumstances, and it by no
means fully or fairly represents the disposi-
tion of large body of stockholders. The
number who were opposed to such accept
anee. under all circumstances, is compare
lively limited but their ranks were largely re-
inforced by those who were influenced by the
opinion of eminent lawyers that the proper
time for decision has not yet arrived, as
well as those who favored acceptance on con-
dition that distinct circulating library should
be maintained on the present or some other
equally central location. The proposition to
maintain separate library was also submit
ted in such a confusing and perplexing man.
ner, that although it was defeated at the
election Yesterday, we have little doubt that
it would meet the appreciation of large ma
iority of the stockholders if it was unencum-
bered by other issues. OF the two leading
parties one recommended the passage of the
following resolution
UResoJrSd, That so much OF the present collection
OF books and other property OF the company as may
by the directors be deemed expedient shall be re-
tanned In toe present OF some otner central position
for general use and circulation
This resolution was defeated by vote of
4 % i,1ty in
of the opposition of the other leading party,
who at the same time advocated the passage
of the following resolution
'eSotyed, That the acceptance Of the stockholders
of the Library Company is upon the express prOvi-
sion that so much OF the present collection Of books
and other property of the Company, as may by the
Directors be deemed eXpedient shall be retained in
the present some other central position for gene
raj use and circulation
This resolution was defeated by vote of
259 yeas to 316 nays, in consequence of the
opposition of the party in favor of an uncon-
ditional acceptance; the portion of this party
who desired two libraries making their wishes
on that subject subordinate to their hostility
to the "express provision" clause.
AS practical result majority of the stock
holders apparently condemn the maintenance
of circulating library on the present site,
while there is little reason to doubt that at
least three-fourths would favor such a policy
as an independent proposition.
The voting indicates the existence of
several distinct shades of sentiment which
were not properly represented by the resolu-
tions. All that is certainly known is that a
small majority of those voting favored an un-
conditional acceptance of the bequest, and we
,>yaou,,,a +ba DiraotOrc will not ba
circumstances, consider the apparent decision
against library on the present site as bind.
ing and conclusive
The following article in the monthly gossip
of Lppincotts N0gaginefor November proba-
bly, foreshadows the course they had intended
to pursue if all the resolutions recommended
by Messrs. Fraley, King, Marsh, Longatreth,
and Carson had been adopted
'The Library Company Of Philadelphia it is under
stood, viii accept, on the conditions prescribed in
his wil the munacent bequest of the late Dr. Rush,
amounting to more than million OF dollars so that
in few years its priceless collection OF books will
be safely housed in lre-proof building II is in
tended to keep the circulating department OF the in
stitutiOn in the present lOcatOn-the Rldgway
Branch, at Broad and Christian, being designed
rather as a library OF reference like the Astor lii
braIy and the British Museum. 1t is estimated that,
after the executor OF DR.. Rush has completed the
hreproof building provided for in his will, there
over to tue company for the maintenance of the
Rtdgway Branch. The Library Company will then
become one OF the most useful and crcQtable nsti-
tutl0ns In this CITY, Already we hear of two large
and valuable private libraries-One Of theology and
the other OF jurspruGCnCe-wiCh are to he added TO
the collection when there shall be lircproOf build
ing In which to deposit them; and donations OF
money VIII not be wanting TO place institution in
which Philadelphia has lust pride
upon a solid foundation Ultimately,
streets and the LaN buildings adjoining will be torn
down and replaced by jircproOl building TO come
out 70 the line OF the street ana TO be erected t thc
expense OF the iund n0N III hand and accumulatnp
Ior uat purpose AS the snace required for the cir
cuiating department, reading-rOom etc will he
limited, considerable part of the nronos od No ~
building in Fifth street viii be reserved for anices
which will bring in handsome income GltoSnt1 or
the future prospects OF this ancient and honorabia
company are most nattering"
We see no reason why the vote Yesterday
should lead to an abandonment Of this nolicv
and certainly the project of maintaininc
a circulating library on the present sit,
should not be given up before the stool,
holders distinctly approve such chanoe
Under such an arrangement the legacy will
become an unmixed benefit, as it will pro
vide for a structure in which the treasures O
literature can be garnered up in Philadelphia
until they assume proportions scarcely les
imposing than the volumes which adorn th
British Museum, and also furnish an income t
replenish and sustain it.
rlfr~ ~ q m n