New-York tribune., 1892-01-03
FEELING AGAINST LIBRARY TRUSTEES
WHAT AN INVESTIGATION IN BOSTON BROUGHT
INTO PUBLIC VIEW

WHAT AN INVESTIGATION IN BOSTON BROUGHT
INTO PUBLIC VIEW.
Boston. Jan. Special. n.-Conslderable feeling has
been aroused Of late by the action OF the trustees OF
the Public Library, who serve without pay and seem
10 think for hat they ought 10 be exempt from
criticism. ON september !. 1900. W. X. Ford, VINO
had been janitor OF the Public Library since 1889
under Mr. Greene and Librarians Jewett Winsor and
Chamberlain. resigned. His resignation was brougi'
about by a reduction OF 1900 less In his salary,
a notable economy on the part OF the trustees VINO
have erected the Back Bay library building at cost
of about - 900 900 more than was expected. ana
who have this year used an appropriation of $4,000
more than I'm any former year for the actual expenses
NJ the library I'm accordance with their reputation
FOR economy SAYS The Record" Mr.. Ford active and
faithful. allowed to depart To save 800 DahieI
Cummings was installed in Ford's vacant place sep
tcnlbcr - 1890. Cummings was big' goo"
na,i,rcd lrl,hrnan who had hard luck In various
ways lie was mixed up In the star Meter Business :
had sold liquor and lost his license: had received Job
On thc water works as assistant foreman had been
bucd about from one place 10 another II the temper
~ civ Hall politics willed. lie aud Trustee Richurus
were warm friends. since both had been extremely
active IN their efforts on the stump in opposition %
Mayor O'Bnen. Accordingly when Janitor toiu le''
The library. Cummings was installed. He spent con
siderable Of hi, time with Mr.. Richards in the
trustees ROOM discussing the political situation and
hi; s,nry WAS probably earned In one way or other
,ati ,facorily 10 the trustees.
In December 500 Contractor Saucler called at the
Public Library In dire distress aud asked cummings
10 helm him out in getting his contract for filling
hnsn through the Water Board. Of course Cummings
kuev most Of these water works contractors saucier
yot Cumming, 10 help him. and Cummings OF course
lighted npon Trustee Richards ~ the proper man 10
net IN Saucier's behalf as Richards was friend 0f
some members of the Water Board. Ills compehNa-
t-n as counsel was to be $500. saucier Thought ho
bod got the contract through Mr. Richards's influence
Lu, the Water Board nfterward annuled IT, ana III
Investigation was held This investigation seemed
rather Elrccal. Last April five reports from 'hi'
committee were submitted II was strange passaS"
IN the history of the Public ibIpry OF Boston, "heh
an old and honorable servant was replaced oy an cN
uuor dealer and water works foreman. who had
stunned the city with Trustee Richards wheh inc
,ruses' room was turned into political headquar'eS
and when contractors walked into Its precincts 10
co, . DAM Cummings to urge trustee Rcialus ~ use
ri tnruencc rs counsel before two OF the three nom
hcrs of Tie Water Ioad who were MS close Per'ona
friend. The library was poiuca SlhhpIhE ElV.iln !h
,r ilc cumming, stayed there as lanitor ana II lne
invest iyaton had not taken place, ne Wouu prou
ahi, lin be, acting his part ae one Ol me emvicl'
m1loycs appointed by tie present Boaiu o riis,et,
,u;inos lrn the place after the Investigation was
ynr The trustees found that he hia maze appi
cation for license ell liquor ana were 'h''"eu'