New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-25
THE TTLDEV LIBRART PLINS.

In his outline of the Tilden Library Trust
plans Mr.. Bigelow gives every citizen OF New
York something serious to think about. Alter
so much disastrous and disappointing litiga-
ton it is gratifying to find the trustees ap-
proaching their task IN so judicious and con-
seryatiyc a spirit, which holds out assurance
that the substantial residue of Mr. Illdcn $
magnificent benefaction may yet be effectively
applied. Even the existing endowment Is
greater than that ever before Immediately
available for a similar purpose i'll this part OF
the country and if no considerable share OF
il is consumed in mere bricks and mortar II
NAV still be used to establish the nucleus Of
ono of the great Libraries of the world.
Mr.. Bigelow's rcgretful allusion to what
might have happened, if bad law had not been
sedulously employed to thwart Nj. Tilden s
manifest intent, renews Indignation at the
series of mishaps which deprived this city OF
tho bulk of its splendid legacy. As he scnsibly
suggests. however the problem of wise DISPOSE
ton of the crippled capital. involving econom-
ical outlay, the widest public service, and due
consideration of Mr.. Tilden's wishes, is COM
pick enough TO engage the best thought of all
concerned OF the alternative, proposed, it
seems ClcdF tndl 10 an Iih'lNh'N''
institution, with complete collections of book
on a narrow range of subjects, such a physical
science. would be TO lose sight of two of the
considerations named. 1t would enrich the
specialist at the expense OF the general reader.
1t would practically restrict to few adyan-
tages designed for the many, while the expense
Of an appropriate building would at once re-
duco its working resources 10 the level OF other
institutions less auspiciously initiated. On the
other hand, strong reasons ma! be cited IN
favor of a consolidation with one or more Of
the larger libraries already existing in New
York Poorly equipped with free reading
rooms as this city now is compared with Paris
London or Boston its crying need IL not so
much for books of which it contains frst-ratc
collections, as for their assemblage at central
point. with free access to the public in the
evening, as well rs during tho day. and all the
year round IF this contamination could be
reached by any arrangement with the Tilden
trustees and the stores unlocked and added
70. which are now made measurably valueless
through the enforcement Of obsolete regula-
tions. the public gain would he immense.
With their munifcent gift in hand, the trIs
tees, nevertheless ought not TO appeal to the
city in vain for suitable repository, III case
other plans fail. No other wealthy municipal
ity, il is safe 10 say, has ever rejected similar
offer; and the prospective repetition Of vast
original requests. with the law rs II Is and the
incentives to their curtailment by litigation so
powerful, can hardly be accounted deterrent.
The city ought not, we think, TO surrender the
coveted Bryant Park reservoir ground The
same reasons that dictated its abandonment as
City Hall site apply with even greater force
in the case of a building not impcIativey need
cd for the administration of municipal affairs.
In this wilderness of brick and stone public
breathing places are even more essential than
public reading rooms and when the reservoir
Is demolished, as it soon must be, trees and
turf should replace its unsightly walls, and
lovers of fresh air disport about its Wondering
foundations. But this fact does not tie the
cy's hands, and under the circumstances indi
Gated the nature of its obligation to the public
welfare could hardly be seriously disputed.