Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-12

1t win be remembered that Dr. J. NJ Toner,
formerly OF Pittsburg, but now OF Washing
the founding of q meoicaI library, his own
collection OF works OF that character, valu sd
AZ $1,000, Imposing, however, two condi-
part 10 hesitate before yielding an accss-
lance. First, he asks that q building OF dre-
proof De erected for the library, and second,
donate a further sum sufficient TO secure to
1he library an annual lecture on medical or
snsa1s 10 ,bs ns fnooEa
themselves to the conditions. The erection
OF Ore proof library building, as the doctor
small scale. II ii is to be called by DIR. To
Ders name, in the course OF time others who
might be inclined to contribute to IL would
be deferred by the reflection that their gifts
were going to swell the ere lit Of one m an,
whose donation IL expected TO form but q
small proportion OF the whole. A commit
lee OF ply sicians have been In commuuica-
lion with DIR. Toner for some time past,
placing before him the disadvantages or the
proposition, and endeavoring to have the
successful; negotiations are still pending
allegheny Mad, sth.
By the above extract we learn for the nrst
time that q valuable private library, owned
In Washington, has the prospect OF becoming
The nucleus OF Q public library In another
city, and We may add that We receive the
Information with something Of regret. Since
- anu Noluooio Ictcf OECo COkloC-
Hon was bought by the government and ad-
Died TO the national library OF Congress, there
has been no private collection In Washing
ION 50 full and complete In American his
1orfcal and biographical works rs that OF
DIR. Toner; and IL Ia but Just to add th 1t bis
liberality and industry In bringing 1t to.
gether have been fully equalled by the cheer
ful willingness With which 1t has always
been placed at the disposal OF those having
occasion 70 consult It. From our own
knowledge, We can testify Is to the value of
HE historical and biographical divisions OF
He library. We are not qualified to Judge
As 70 the medical portion of Its collection,
but We have repeatedly heard IL spoken of
by our physicians Is one OF the rarest In the
country, containing, as 1t does, almost COM
piete nles OF all American medical Journals,
As well as the contributions OF all or nearly
AL American authors to the medical litera-
lure OF the country.
In view OF these facts IL occurs TO as that
me members OF the medical profession In
Pittsburgh are not wise In not ut once &C
cepting the offer as made Tue old aiage
That ga bird In the hand is worth two In the
bush applies TO this case with peculiar
1orce. A specific prefer of valuable prop
erty, ready TO be fulfilled on the instant. Ia
worth vastly more than Q possible future
contingency that may never arise, and that
- almost certain not to present itself during
1nis generation. The books are already COL
aecied; they exist as . unit, and are ready for
transler any day. That Is the great thing.
"A library IL rather growth than q creation;
and those who have had experience In form
Ing one for public use well know that IL 10
easier TO obtain money for the purpose than |
1t In to get together q large collection of
well selected books. particularly OF those |
relating TO any special branch Of science or
speciality In literature.
We think, therefore, that the conditions
named by the donor are reasonable and |
proper. A public institution ike this must |
have some title; and what name more ap-
propriate than that Of its fou oder aud bene- |
factor? Subsequent contributors could |
hardly object TO this. but since none are |
known TO exist, why reject q certainty, lest |
m improbable uncertainty might some time |
arisef 1t seems TO rs, also, that DR.. Toner'S |
Offer to provide Q fund sufficient to secure |
10 the proposed Institution the additional |
advantages OF annual lectures on med |
1cal or scientific subjects Is one that |
ought to enlist the ~ mpsthy and insure the |
active support, not alone OF the medical |
faculty, but Of the people OF wealth and cul- /
lure In Pittsburgh outside Of the profession, |
and thus induce them to aid Ia raising the |
required amount Of money, since such lee
lures COQlo n8ruly l8I 70 DC OOLQ lntero6blQS
and beneficial to the general public.
But we do not propose 70 argue the case In
behalf Of the people Of Pittsburgh. We
rather hope, on the other hand, that the gen.
erous offer OF our townsmau may not be &C
cepted. And in this connection some Of our
readers may perhaps wonder why IL was not
nrst made 70 our own city, the home OF bis
adoption. In explanation OF this, We may
say that DR.. Toner is q native OF Pittsburgh.
This circumstance, doubtless, coupled with
The fact that the large and valuable library
in the Medical Museum here Is generally
available for reference to the profession In
Washington, led him TO make the offer, so
creditable alike TO his heart and head, an
which we cannot help wishing he may yet
ind good excuse for W .thdrawing. He has
still before him, we trust, many years Of
usefulness and calm enjoyment, In which
these companions OF other useful years
woald be greatly missed. He should pause,
therefore, and be slow 70 part with them, as
he would be TO part with other old and val
ned friends.
A democratic majority In the Senate after
March 3, 1877, Ii among the possibilities. The
Terms OF twenty-six Senators-Messrs. Clay
Ion, Logan, Wright, Harvey, West, Blaine,
Boutwell,, Ferry. Alcorn, Hitchcock, Haml-
Ion, Window, Cragin, Frelinghuysen, An
1hony, Robertson and Howe (republicans),
and Goldthwaite, salisbury, Norwood, Ste-
venson, Ransom, Kelly, Cooper, Johnston,