Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-10-10
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Many Expressions in Favor OF AL
hitting the Rocks Into the Library

HISTORICAL SOCIETY,".
Many Expressions in Favor OF Adj
hitting the Rocks Into the L1DfarY
arguments Pro and Con.
Attorney Daley, as chairman OF the
committee considering the matter In refer
ence to giving the Historical society
quarters in the public library, rehearsed
the action that has already been taken in
the case at the hearing at the city hall last
night on the subject.
The library directors and the members |
of the Historical society entered into con- |
tract which gave the society use of two
rooms in the back part of the library for
keeping their library. The court of COM
mon council held that the library commit
tee had no right to make any such con-
tract. But it was felt that some further
consideration of the matter ought to be
made and consequently this committee was
appointed.
Mr.. Phillips opened the discussion, IT
think we ought to let the people, at an
election, decide this matter, and think
the vote would be two to one in favor of
letting the Historical society provide it's
own building. I am here to be convinced
why the society should be permitted
within the library"
Mr.. Watrous said: The object of the
public library is to educate the people of
New Haven by every legitimate means in
their power. The study of the history of
New Haven seems to us to be legitimate
part of such education. Furthermore, the
library has room enough for holding the
books of the society and the contract en-
| ables the library directors to have the His
/ torica1 society move their books within a
years notice when the library is in need
of room.
If the books are in the library building
| the public will have freer access to them
than could be got in the society's room.
| DR.. Phillips asked if the contract was
| not 80 drawn that it would require unan-
unity on the part of the directors, to which
| Mr. Watrous said that in his opinion no
such construction could be put on the
| words of the contract. .
Professor Baldwin next said: The His
torical society thought they were doing
the city service. The printed books and
pamphlets belonging to the society arctic
my mind, of more value than all the books
in the public library.
| am sorry that the library directors or
that DR.. Phillips are not members. 1t
| only costs So year in advance. For that
| hIuOuuG, O,UUU DOOhS dIS dI Gu0 QouDeTS
| disposal.
By change of management in the In
su1ance building, access to the rooms has
been bettered since the contract was
made, and if the subject were renewed, I
am not sure that the society would want to
| vacate their quarters.
This is the most modest company, said
Mr.. Daley, have ever presided at. Will
Mr.. Martin express his opinion on the
matter?
MI. George B. Martin said he thought
great advantage would accrue to the city
from the use of the library and was hearth
ly in favor of giving them room.
DIR. Phillips said: The Historical society
once occupied rooms in the city hall. and
when the city wanted them to leave they
had difficulty to get them out. Then the
society went into the state house, and the
same difficulty was experienced. When
we got permission to tear that Grecian
structure down we were hindered by the
that society that has given us such
trouble ought not get an opportunity to
repeat it. The work of the library ought
to be united.
David Grotta in we'll chosen remarks
opposed the granting of the charge de-
sired.
Hon. David Callahan said: I have not
heard one reason why the Historical society,
| in preference to any other society should
be permitted to go into the library. Such
permission has been refused the G. A. R.,
and doubt not that all other societies
but this one would be refused.
Alderman Hitler said In answer to what
had been said about room; we will probably
need the room in about ten years, increas-
ing at our present rate. The books owned
by the Historical society are often in de-
mand, and cannot be obtained.
Hon. David Callahan then said: You may
need the room in less time. We all want
things that we can't get.
Mr.. Daily, to question Of the clerk,
said facetiously There are many things
that we want that we don't get, and many
things that we do not want that we get.
Hon. Caleb B. Bowers said fail to see
the analogy between Masonic societies or
any other society having any other than a
benevolent object and the Historical soei-
ety. The Historical society certainly do
not intend to press their library on the
city.
Ex-Mayor Lewis spoke in his usual con-
vincing manner in favor of the society. He
was followed by General Bradley Profess
sor Brewer, DR.. Whittemore and others,
also favoring the admission of the society.
The condition of Ex-Governor Bigelow
was more favorable last night. He passed
a comfortable day yesterday. DR.. White
more did not visit him during the night
The doctor reports that the governor is
still in a critical condition. He is very
4 L =.