St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-21
Formal Dedication Of the Free
Library He Gives to Al
legheny.
President Harrison Honors
the Donor and Occasion
With His Presence.
Illustrious Sponsor at the
Christening Of a Worthy
Institution.
A Magnificent Monument to
the Greatest Of Iron
Kings.

PITrsBURG, Pa, Feb. 20.-The formal
dedication of the Carnegie Free library,
of Allegheny, took place this evening,
and the institution was declared open
by President Harrison. The elegant
music hall of the building was filled by
the audience long before the hour fer
the opening. At s o'clock President
Harrison and Mr.. Carnegie arrived.
The president was escorted down the
aisle by James B. Scott, followed by
MIR. Carnegie with Councilman Ammon
and the remainder of the party. The
president, Mr.. Carnegie, Enoch Pratt,of
Baltimore, and George Lauder, of the
firm of Carnegie, PhIpps & Co., took
their seats in the box to the left Of the
stage. In the right hand box Gov.
Beaver, Congressman Dalzell and Bayne
and Prof. Langley were seated. The
stage was occupied by the ladies
of the Mozart society, and the gentle
men of the society occupied the
galleries to the right and left. In the
midst of the fair ladies of song Bishops
Whitehead and Phelan were seated.
Chairman James B. Scott and Council
men Ammon. Kennedy, Snaman and
Parke were also on the stage. The
exercises opened with singing OF
America" by the Mozart society, under
the lead of James P. McCollum; G. G.
MellOr presided at the organ. Bishop
Whitehead next pronounced the invo-
cation. THE Heavens Are Telling"
was next given by the Mozart society.
Chairman Scott then announced that
Mr.. Carnegie would present the key OF
the library to Mayor Pearson. Mr.. Car
negie came forth with Mayor Pearson
OH his arm and was greeted with APP
plause. Mr.. Carnegie said: my wife
for
HER SPIRIT AND HER INFLUENCE
are here to-night-my wife and realize
tonight how infinitely more blessed it
is TO give than to receive" He then
publicly thanked the committee for
their devotion TO the work, the presi-
dent, governor, congressman and MIR.
Pratt, of Baltimore. the pioneer of free
libraries, for their presence, having
honOred the speaker and citizens by
travelling hundreds of miles that they
might set the stamp of their approval
upon the dedication. Continuing, he
said: s'This institution starts we'll.
The holder of the most exalted, the
holder of the highest political office in
the whole world stands for the Illus
trious sponsor at its christening. l
must not pass by without thank
ing the architects, Messrs. Smith
never 81 Pells, who have given
us structure which on every
hand is pronounced a perfect gem.
Mayor Pearson, never had the slight
est doubt now but that you and your
successors will so manage this institu-
ton that it will bring forth the goodly
harvest which it is capable Of produc-
ing. | wish also that the masses of
workingmen and women, the wage
earners of Allegheny, would remember
and act upon the fact that this is their
library, their gallery and their hall.
The poorest citizen, the poorest man.
the poorest woman that tolls from morn
Til night for a livelihood. as. thank
heaven, l had that toll to
do in my early days, as he
walks this hall, as he reads
th g books from these aleoves, he listens
to the organ and admires the works of
art in this gallery equally with the
millionaire and the foremost citizen;
I want him to eXclaim in his own heart.
BEHOLD, ALL THIS IS MINE;
support it, and | am proud to support
it. am joint proprietor here A few
words of a personal character in con-
cIusion: 1t was in Allegheny City that
my parents, with their two boys, IN this
generous and ever hospitable republic
first found shelter and home. All
of our early associations cluster around
this vicinity. and it is therefore impossi-
BILE that any other spot on earth can fill
the place which Allegheny must ever
hold in my heart, for the sake
of those dear to me who
sleep among you, and must have a
home in my breast for ever. You have
been good indeed, to the Scotch family
of immigrants. and another mark of
your great goodness to us, permit to
specially acknowledge, you have seen fit,
voluntarily to link our family name with
these buildings. This has touched me
deeply, for, Mr.. Mayor, ladies and gem
tlemen, would that our family might
be held worthy of lasting remembrance
among you. Surely it does not make
one feel that he deserves such honor,
but makes him remember that he shall
try to be more deserving of it. Mr..
Mayor, now hand over to you this
key. which places you as the repreSen-
rative of the people of Allegheny
In possession of these buildings, to be
their property forever. MY warmest
wishes for the prosperity of every citi-
zen of Allegheny go from the depth of
my heart with the gift" Mayor Pear
son, as chief magistrate of the city of
Allegheny, responded. He said; 81
accept of this key in trust. At the same
time permit me to extend to you the
thanks of our grateful citizens for this
grand, beautiful and costly gift. 1t is,
sir, noble gift-a monument that will
stand for years. when you have passed
away; monument that will stand an
immortal testimonial to your benefi-
cence, and will keep your name before
uS-a name that will never be forgotten.
This is free to all. rich and poor, and
many pleasant and profitable hours will
be spent i'll it. There are few cities
that can boast of the same
GENEROSITY OF ONE MAN.
Mr.. Scott then introduced President
Harrison, who spoke as follows: "Mr.
Chairman and fellow citizens. l have
spent very instructive day in Allie
gheny county. l have seen that which
was only fit in the crude state to be
trodden under the foot of man, trans
mitted into that which serves the high
est purposes Of our material lives. |
have seen that which was Of prodigious
weight defyiug the direct application
/ of the arm of man to move it, lifted by
the skiIlful invention of the brains as
a babe would lift the toy that the fond
mother places In its hands, yet. great and
striking, as these transformations have
been, witness here tonight one that is
greater and finer. The dull ore of the
mine is transmitted into those forms
that serve the purpose of our present
life. l have seer made to-day the rod