New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-10
THE NEW LIBRARY BUILDING.
FORMAL OPENING IN AsToR PLACE.
SUCCESS OF THE CLINTON HALL ASSOCIATION
prN,pKs pY PROMINENT SPEAKERS.


The exercises connected with the formal opening OF
tne new Mercantile Library Building took place In
Clinton Hall Astor Place, at 3 80 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon the day being the seventy frst anniversary
OF the founding of the institution. TIC oocason
brought together a congenial company OF men anu
women. and the short speeches made were PECULIARLY
interesting because OF the prominence OF the speakers
and the "reminiscences with which their remarh'
abounded. The people assembled on the soVen.,I
eoor and camp-stoos were provided for them In the
open space dividing the rows OF shelves on te hoI'
and south sides OF the room, the platform oelhs "'u
eastern end and orchestra at the western Gnu
Isasc H. Bailey president of the board OF trustees VI
the Clinton Hall Association presided. Near nun
were seated Daniel F. Appleton, Charles H. iShan'
Cornelius " Bliss and j. seaver Page OF ule Do'nu'
Abram S. Hewitt. samuel Sloan, Henry Hhtoh Joi'''
Bgelow Jacob d. Nermilye, Bishop Potuer, oo NV
DR.. Robert Collyer the Rev DR.. Edwin u Donee, %
Rev. Dr. Charles F, Deems, Henry L. sioae o. =
Avery John S. Smith and Others Many woihe" "e''
In the audience. A., 49,
.,r policy ou.,n6d briefly the history Of the or
~a,,,ation from its humble origin to its present sue
cessfu operation and introduced as the hist epcahe
the Rev Dr. Bellies, Of the Third Umverssiis' ohuiVi.
DR. Boles was followed by Bishop Potter VINO ssia
he fad been attracted 20 the exercises in the interest
Of good neghborhood, because of his epscopal rcls-
tannx To the locality. He Nkened the locanty 10
Paternoster Row In London as literary crcle pecauso
of the concentration In and about Astor race Oh many
well-known publishing establishments and hpra'es.
He thought the selection of the site for the new build
ing was the proper to make II accessible to that
class of young men whose interests it was originally
designed to serve. AS to the relations of business
men to literature he said "The relation OF letters
to the life not only Of the scholar but the man OF
business is and ought to be great deal more Intimate
than most of imagine II is After all it Is by the
power of contrast that get ont Of their work In
life larger enthusissms and the rest and recreation
okpr ron a
He recalled the period when he was himself q
merchants clerk in Philadelphia and subscriber to
the Mercantile Library in that city. There was much
to gained by companionsp Of delightful friends, he
added, but there disadvantage; you could not
always shut up friends talk but when you get tired
of a book You can close it. In conclusion, he ex-
pressed the hope that some rich New-iorker would
found course of lectures In connection with the
Mercantile Library which should treat of the subject
Of books so that young might come to the library
once or twice a week and hear the voice Of living
man who might talk to them about books and be
their guide philosopher and friend, which In literature
as in everything else something to be desired.
Abram S Hewitt next spoke He also commended
the trustees for their judgment In retaining the present
site for the library where, he said, it in closer
touch with those who would avail themselves OF the
opportunities afforded them than other locality
that might have been selected. He alluded to De Witt
Clinton. after whom Clinton Hall was named "To
that great man." he said, there is monument in
EewYork except Clinton Hall, Notwithstanding he
hal done so much to make this city the great
metropolis Of the continent Then he paid tribute
to William Wood, who originated the Mercantile Ii
brary. Glow much one poor man may do" he added.
@by a noble and generous thought, is proved In this
magnificent building and splendid collection of books
All honor to the memory of William Wood and to the
spirit which directed him to found an enduring monu
ent 10 Clinton, the statesman the beDefactor and the
great Governor of New-fork."
Samuel Sloan, who at time recording sec
rotary of the association, called upon to speak
and reluctantly responded He apolOgized for coming
In SO late said II 1t had been meeting OF board
Of directors for attending which he would get So, he
presumed he would have been on time, whereupon
DR.. suggested that 1t an Illustration OF the
ruling passion, and demanded that the amount be
forfeited to the library fund.
The Rev. DR.. Robert COnyer was the next speaker
and in his kindly gently related some experiences
and in his kindly gentle way related some experiences
Of his boyhood, when mis- poverty prevented him from
Christmas Day, when he feeling lonely and un-
happy he received a gift of Washington Irvings
asketch Book" the reading of which first turned his
mind toward seeking home in this country.
Dr. Deems as the last speaker, told how. on com
ing to NewYor from the South, after the close Oh the
Civil War, his generous treatment, first by q PUB
Iishor and then by tho Mercantile Library Assecia
hon had enabled him to something by writing
book He promised q legacy at his death for the
benefit of the library and urged Others present 10 90
likewise.
On the close Of the exercises luncheon was served
IN rooms the fifth floor
Tho Mercantile Library Association was organized
In pursuance Of a call issued November g. 1920, by
william Wood 30 merchants clerks and apprentices
IN the vicinity Of South Front, Water and Pearl sts
Maiden Lane and Broadway. The meeting was held
November 0. 1920, and the library was opened Feb
ruary IL, 1921. at No. 40 FultOn-st, with $50 mem
bers and about 700 books, increased to 1000 by the
nfn x~n1,,yp in
1925 separate organization formed for the cree
ti0n of building at Nassau and Beekman sts., dedi
Gated under the name Of Clinton Hall, November =.
1880, the cost Of building and land being So5'ooo
Twenty years later the library had outgrown its ac
oommodaaons, and the site was considered TOO 1ai
downtown Then the Aston Place Opera House. around
which had occurred. In 1s49 the famous Forrest
Macroady riots was purchased at cost OF $4,000
About $4,000 additional expended in adapting
the building for the purposes Of the library Inc
library then had $4,000 volumes and capacity was
provided for 100000 volumes In April, 1870 IL
having been decided TO erect an entirely new bmding
ON the same site old Clinton Hall was vacated tempo
rarly and demolished and now the imposing new
sevon-story building occupies IFS place
Ii Is proof structure OF buff brick and RED Saho
Stone seven stories high. 1t has a frontage IN 'hlce
streets as follows 159 feet in Eghh-s l49 feet 10
Astor Place, and so feet in lafayette Pace. The
width of the building OF the end overlooking Broad
way is 90 feet The library quarters are Oh the sew
e.th aoor and are Ivached by Two steam elevators.
The circulating department. for home nse s ON the
seventh floor. On this floor are also tie catalogue
departnent work rooms. the directors room ana The
lbrarianls Office The h0OHlOom for the storage OF
boots is considered Of the finest II not the Dest
room for 81 purpose in the country.
In addition 10 having Hight all sides, II has q
skyl;ght occupying twotdIds q the rood spare The
height from the floor to the skylght Is twenty feet
The full storage capacity is $4,000 Volumes At
presert Il lEls book stack two tiers high each tier
6efnx seven feet In height and arranged that third
Fer of seven be added when required This book
fac is fitted with adjustable shelves, the supports
being the la;est and most improved pattern: the
kookoases double aud the width from face 10 face
4 eighteen inches The distance between the cases
n three feet No book Is beyond the reach 0f tle
attendant standing the toOr or on the gallery
IDAMSS DRAFTS WERE NOT HONORED.