New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-20
FOR 4 GREAT LIBRARY.

The city Of Newly DIRK is asked to provide a
building for the Tilden Library. The trustees
EXPECT 10 come into possession OF rather more
than 50 900. OC0, through the generosity OF
Mr. TildenS niece Mrs. Hazard, with which
to carry out As best they can the teStator
noble purpose. The income of this fund VIII
not much exceed $4,000, and 1t Is OBVIOUS
that if the principal were diminished by inc
amount which suitable building would cost
the residue would earn only mcagre revenue
for the purchasc of books and the care OF them.
If. on the other hand. the principal were lett
intact. and the building were constructed out
of the income even the partial realization OF
Mr.. Tildcns purpose would of necessity be long
DELAYED. These considerations have induced
the trustees 10 propose that the city shaii
take a share in the undertaking, and greatly
aid in its accomplishment.
This proposition oaght to be accepted New
York las been outrageously plundered in the
past and is extravagantly governed now; the
debt is large and taxation is high many public
spirited citizens are consclennouSly avcrSe 70
the authorization of new municipal enterprises
on a large scale because of their dismal conyic-
ton that every such wOrl; is made 10 pay an
oppressive tribute to Tammany Hall, and the
proposal lha; the city shall enter into partner
ship with the Iiden trustees even for pun
pose so benefcent. is certain 10 encounter not
a little opposition. The construction OF
library building by the municipality would
certainly impose an additional burden OF taxa
ton, and the spoils would probably not be in
significant But nevertheless, we are con-
WINGED that the burden ought to be accepted
This is rich and prosperous city, with mag
nifcent future. as respects material things. alb
solutely guaranteed and it can better afford
to incur the expense of facilitating the ac-
QUESTION of great public library than II let
the opportunity 60 by.
The expectations which Mr.. Tiden cherished
and which doubtless chccrcd his last days, can
never be realized. BY an extremely small
balance of judicial opinion, and, aS many think
with the soundeSt and wechtiest arguments IN
tho other scale, the trust was lnyaldated
Nothing is now to be gained by discussion
of the motives which inspired, and the jude-
mont which determined, thut memorable and
disastrous contest. -Four out of seven Judges
Of the Court of Appeals so Interpreted the law
as TO deprive the metropolis of great be-
quest, devised BY a far-Seeing citizen for most
benefcent object. Through the liberalty OF
an heir the loss was in part repaired, and tho
city is now enabled 10 make that tine action
doubly fruitful. The opportunity, we say,
ought not to be rejected. NewYoriS possesses
many noble institutions representing the in
telgent devotion of individuals and Of the
community to the general welfare. But great
pubic library is not one Of them. In this re-
spect New-Yorlr is not only out of comparison
with the great cities of the Old World, but
relatively more deficient, as the trustees
memorial says, than many cities of the United
States. 1t is not creditable to us that this con-
spicuous want has remained unsupped so long,
and it will not be honorable or advantageous
to refuse the fair chance which circumstances
now unexpectedly offer.