Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-22

tOpp0Sltl0n was manifested on the part OF a
respectable number Of the Board as we'll as
stockholders. But, fortunately for the best in
terests Of the hbrary--as ALL lbelieve, are now
ready to admit-the counsels Of the ''reconstruc
tiOnists prevailed; and the result, as before US
is at least gratifying: Wehaye room of which
We may justly feel proud, and to which we need
feel no hesitancy in inviting any friend of litera
ture let him come whence he MAY. This work of
reftting and furnishing the hall was assigned
to committee consisting of Messrs Hit
&c. Il. LeadGeater, and Ramsau; and 50
thoroughly have these energetic gentlemen per-
formed the task that in all probability no need
Will arise tor any further expenditure in this
direction for years to come.
In this connection to throw more light upon
the subject, we must not omit to acknowledge
the generous courtesy of the City Council in al
lowing us, free of charge, the use of that very
ESSENTIAL commodity-GaS
The Library was opened to the stockholders
about the middle of April, on which occasion our
best citizens, together with many ladies', were
present
| Hereupon arose another difficulty, which
threatened for time to defeat the efforts Of the
Board that OF securing the services Of a suta-
bic Librarian at such small salary the Co. could
| afford topay Fortunately, however this difficulty
was soon overcome by the the efforts of the
committee appointed for that purpose consist
ing of Messrs Janney, Ramsay and Thler,
who, on the 9th Of April reported to the
board that they had secured the services Of
Mr. August Henning 1.-THE present incumbent)
who, with the exception Ola few months alb
sence in Europe, has continued with rare eff
cheney and fidelity to perform the duties of the
post assigned him.
The establishment of Il Reading Room, an
entirely new, but very excellent teature-in con-
nection with the Library, was wisely suggested
at the last annual meeting by Mr. Frank Mil
ler,-a gentleman who tor many years presided
over the affairs of this company with marked
ability aud commensurate success, and who still,
though no longer resident of the city, takes
lively interest in the Library's welfare His
suggestion was readily adopted by the board
and immediate steps were taken to carry it
into effect RIO accomplish this desirable object
it was evident that the financial resources of the
company were inadequate; and it was therefore
deemed expedient to address circular letter to
the various publishers throughout the country,
soliciting their aid and cooperation in the mat
ter. A copy of that letter, marked &c, &c,
companies this report. The liberality and
promptness of the responses to this circular ex
ceeded our most sanguine expectations. With
out further expense to the company than the
necessary payment of postage, our table and pa
per files were soon well supplied with the follow
ing periodicals and Journals: Ballous Monthly
Magazine; Eclectic do Lippineott's do; Co
dey s Lady Book; Putnam's Monthly Maya
zine xixth Century; Harper's New Monthly
Magazine The Old Guard; The Old Domili-
ion; Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper; Har-
per's Weekly; and Bazaar; the Manufacturer
and Builder; The Tribune Got n. l., yThe.
World; Richmond Enquirer, Dispatch, Wing
and State Journal n o. Times Petersburg
Index; Norfolk Virginian; Charlottesville
Chronicle True Index (Warrenton;) The
Washingtouian Commercial Advertiser, and
dria Gazette, TO this goody array were after
ward added by subscri ption the -Four Foreign
Reviews and Backwood's Magazine; Good
Words Sunday Magazine; The Southern Re-
view; Southern Magazine: Appleton Jour
nal, and the Scientific American.
Valuable packages of books-voluntary con
tributions--nu numbering in the aggregate about
80 volumns were generously donated by the fol- |
lowing publishing houses, to wit, f. III. Butler
and Co., Philadelphia; Claxton, Rcwson and
HeffelGnger, Philadelphia;A. S. Barnes Il Co,
New York; Leypoldt & Holt, New York
Similar favors were received from our Con-
eessiona Representatives, and many others
among our fellow townsmen whose names we re-
serve only because We fear offence to the gene
rous doners by publicity which they may not
desire.
As will be seen by the accompanying report
of the Treasurer, the Board of Directors have,
during the past year, expended for books land
periodicals. AS above stately funds Of the compa-
nv amounting in the aggregate to $3.50
The number Of stock holders is, at present,
nearly 200; transient subscribers 4S:
For further and more detailed information III
matters of interest pertaining to the company,
respectfully refer you to the accompanying re-
ports of the Treasurer and Librarian.
The foregoing report was submitted to the
Board Of Directors, and by them approved, at
meeting held, mainly for that purpose, in the
room Of the Christian Association on the even
ing of Friday last, the 18th inst AT that
meeting a resolution was passed directing the
President to appoint committee OF three to
examine the books Of the Treasurer and report
thereon, as also upon the general condition OF
the Library room and appurtenances, to this
meeting of stockholders and, in obedience to
that resolution this day appointed commit
tee consisting of Messrs. Z. l.. Lee, jr., Thos;
+. Kemp, and Robt. Jameson. and requested
them by letter to perform the designated duty.
The committee is doubtless prepared to sub
NIT its report At this meeting Of the drec-
tors herquestiOn arose-a question respect
ing certain newspaper correspondence toucl-
ing the management Of the concert lately gwen
under the auspices of the Library Company
the decision of which resulted in the immediate
resignation of three members of the Board of
Directors
Thanking you for your patient hearing ofa
renort necessarily somewhat prolix, will close
it with the expression of my hope and beEcf
that the .47.cund,in Library will steadily and
rapidly advance in its predestined career OF use
fumcss, and soon become so important an ele
ment in the social fabric Of the community that
gave it birth us TO enlist and retain the active
sympathies of all our citizens.
All of which is respectfully submitted on be-
half of the Board Of Directors
X. KEMpER,
President of the Alexandria Library TO.