Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-17
The Carnegie Library Commission.
70 the Editor of The Disnatch.

To the Editor of The Dispatch:
1t Is pleasing to note that Allegheny Councils,
by an overwhelming majority. have vetoed the
absurd ordinance by which the City Property
Committee sought to make Of the Carnegie
Library simple political job, run by them
selves. They never had the deceDey to consult
Mr.. Carnegie as to his wishes in the matter but
Boss Tweed-like, sent him as their ultlmatum
an ordinance which handed his magnificent
gift over to what is generally considered the
least intelligent committee OF Councils Mr..
Carnegie was too much of gentleman to recip-
rocate their rudeness, but any intelligent per-
son, reading his reply to their communication,
can see how little he was pleased with it. In
speaking Of the City Property Committee we
do not, of course. include the small minority
who have struggled SO manfully against the
prejudice and selfishness of the majority.
The conditions of Mr.. Carneg1e's gift to Pitts
burg clearly show two things: First. that,
after long consideration Of the subject. he be-
lieves that public libraries should be con-
Quoted by the people and for the people;
not by politicians for political ends;
that, while city councils should have voice in
the matter, the managing commission should
include a sufficient number Of competent
citizens. outside Of councils, whose special
abilities and long tenure of office will insure
institution, and keep it from the degrading
tendency OF political patronage.
In accordance with these views, the thou
sands of people who are visiting the Carnegie
Library, and who are enjoying the beauties of
its art music and architecture. cannot fail TO
see that nothing but the best talent the city
affords, without regard to politics, is good
enough to develop for the public use. all the
varied capabilities OF such an institution.
1t is commonly reported that one reason why
the City Property Committee have struggled so
hard to get control of the Carnegie Library is
that the principal positions have already been
pledged, for reasons mainly political. Will our
citizens stand by calmly and permit Mr.. Car
negie's gift to be used as common political
levere We do not think so meanly Of the in
telligence of the community.
The majority Of Councils have shown that
they disapprove of the action Of the City Prop
erty Committee. Let them go step further,
and provide for a mixed commission in which
Councils the Board of Control and the best
non-pOlitical talent. outside Of both these
bodies, shall have fair representation. II this
is done before the formal presentation next
Thursday, Mr.. Carnegie will feel that Councils
have performed proper and graceful act. II
they fail to do this, all intelligent citizens of
Allegheny must feel that thev have been deeply
accepted $500, 600 library building without the
slightest regard to the wishes of the donor.
There were no legal difficulties in the way of
placing the institution in the hands of mixed
Commission; for 1t is received under the same
law as Mr. Carnegie's gift to Piftsburg. This
law was prepared by one of our best attorneys,
with the express purpose of enabling the city
to accept such a gift with its accompanying
conditions.
The Carnegie Library Commission should be
composed Of men who could properly organize
all its various departments. arrange free con-
certs and lectures, and who could induce our
wealthy citizens to contribute money, books and
works of art to I'll the vacant walls and shelves.
Who would choose as trustee for gifts or loans
a constantly changing committee subject to the
bias and Vicissitudes of politics? Surely not
successful business men.
Not the least important function of this oom
mission would be to see that the hall and lee
ture room are placed at the disposal onlv of
proper persons and for proper objects: dusY
that those who are aspirants for political pre-
ferment cannot be expected to perform with
unbiased Judgment
Every citizen Of Allegheny Interested in the
future usefulness of the Carnegie Library
should at once make determined effort to
have enacted an ordinance placing the entire
institution in the hands OF Commission which.
beside members OF Councils and OF the Board
of Control, should include number OF citizens
to be nominated by Mr.. Carnegie And we re-
peat. that common courtesy requires that this
should be done before next Thursday when
Mr. Carnegie Will make formal transfer Of the
library TO our municipal authorities.
ALLEGHENY.
ALLEGHENY, February Is