Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-04

Mr.. Lare-How much rs the present
| librarian of the school library paid?
Mr.. Cochran: mime hundred dollars q
year. And if he becomes the assistant of
the new librarian he would be satisfied with
the same figure"
Chairman Ammon: "The librarian of
such an institution ought to be possessed of
a wide range of knowledge and information.
Without man of that character the library
cannot be success. Mr.. Digby, of the
Pittsburg Law Library, is so thoroughly
posted as to be able to place his hand upon
any given authority at moments notice.
That is what we must have in the Carnegie
Free Library"
MUST HAVE A SCHOLAR.
Mr. Kennedv-If Mr.. Cochran's views
prevail with this committee the public will
be justified in thinking and saying that this
committee is not fit to deal with the Free
Library. The library must havea scholarly
man at its head.
Mr.. Cochran-I maintain that we don't
need scholarly man. Any one could do it.
Mr.. Lare-Weh have received magnificent
gift from Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, and it
would strike me as very poor
policy to start out in its administra-
tion with niggardly scale of salaries
which would be no temptation at all to
men of culture, learning and executive
ability. Not only is this true of the library,
but of the music hall. Some of our citizens
are looking askance at our action at pres
ent, and what Mr.. Kennedy says heartily
indorse; we will only invite criticism by
parsimonious policy. What should be
done is to shape our course as to disarm
criticism. Our librarian should be thor
oughly familiar with all authors and all
subjects in the field of literature.
AN EXAMPLE NAMED.
"Such men as Mr. Spafford, of the Con-
gressional Library, are an example of what
we should seek for. We want a man OF
varied attainments and ample education
greater by far than any school superintend-
ent. We don't want man of limited brains.
This is not question of cheapness or econ
omy. 1 would be in favor of a still larger
salary if it would bring us a man who
would be of real advantage in building up
the library"
Mr.. Dahlinger: "We cannot surely afford
to be behind other cities which do not COM
pare with ours in the matter of facilities.
Nearly all the Eastern Libraries pay from
$4,000 to 5000 year, and Mr.. Green, OF
the Boston Library, receives $40, 900 and is
worth it. A thoroughly equipped librarian
should be linguist and at home in the
arts and sciences. Any graduate of a
State Normal School can teach school, but
not everyone is an educated librarian. We
want collegian, and cheap man would
be false STEP"
STICKS TO HIS TEXT.
Mr.. Cochran-Any good reader would do
just as well as big salaried man who
49, Ca To- do II
take no stock in this big salary bunkum.
When the question of raising the salary of
Mayor from 81, 900 to 81, 500 was under dis
cussion we were going to have some magni-
fcent men running for Mayor. Where are
they? Has anyone seen them coming forth?
Not bit of it. 1 tell you I've been to
school, and think any man who is decent
ly educated will fill the position.
Mr.. kennedy-The woods are full of
teachers, but good Librarians are scarce. Is
it right to indicate to the donor that we are
going to inaugurate niggardly policy? 1t
is such false ideas of economy that will
keep Allegheny village.
AFTER THE BEST.
Mr. Ammon-Clerk Dilworth, of Coun-
ellis, BY my desire, corresporded with the
best men in the nation, and the tenor OF the
answers were all to the effect that the libra
rian meant success or failure. I think it
would take $1,000 to secure the best man we
could, and 81, 800 is little enough.
After some further discussion, Mr.. Coch
ran called for the yeas and nays, and was
duly showed under by vote of II to 2.
The ordinances were then adopted and sent
to Councils. Mr.. Einstein moved an amend
ment that the Free Library be opened on
Sunday. A chorus of "that will never pass
Councils greeted the proposition, and it
was agreed that the Library Committee
would have to deal with such questions.
There is a concession to Mr.. Carnegie in
the provision that Mr. Carnegie shall ap-
point representative as an advisory mem
Der of the Library Committee.
COULDN'T GET 1T FOR NOTHING.
The hall was rented to the Royal Ar
canum, the Balmoral Choir and Merrill NJ.
E. Church The G. A. r. wanted it for
but met with an adverse reply.
The Chamber of Commerce passed the
resolution at its meeting yester-
day:
WHEREAS, By the liberality of Andrew Car
negie in establishing libraries here: the cities
Of Pittsburg and Allegheny seem destined to
become the intellectual as well as the indus |
trial center of the Union, the Chamber of Com |
merce, whose charter is co-eXtensive with the |
territory of Allegheny county. would respectful
ly suggest to the Councils of the cities that they
spare no trouble or expense in procuring the |
services as librarians for these institutions of
persons of the highest possible literary acquire
ments and technical knowledge. |
The Allegheny Committee on Public |
Parks met last night. A resolution was
passed in which ir was recommended to allow |
the committee to have entire charge OF the |
grounds about the Carnegie Library. The |
committee was presented with donation |
of 500 worth of plants or shrubbery of any |
kind to be used in beautifying the ground |
about the library. The gift was from Mr.. |
J. R. Workman, the agent for the Chase |
Brothers Company, New England Nur-
series, of Rochester, n. Y. The donation |
was accepted with thanks. /
uE Dnpcy,n Vcnvu